Faith at the RHN: Open Lecture

Catch up with our open lecture, Religion and Faith at the RHN, hosted by the Royal Hospital for Neuro‑disability on the 20th January 2026.

“Inspired by conversations with patients as part of the ‘Legacy of Care’ project marking 170 years of the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability’s history, this lunchtime Open Lecture webinar brings to life – for the first time – the full history of religion and faith at the RHN.

Sharing newly-discovered facts, characters and stories from the RHN’s Archives and beyond, volunteer archive researcher Carl Banks presents an exciting cast of historical personalities, key events and generous acts of philanthropy which created, shaped and fostered spiritual lives and spaces at the Hospital.

You’ll hear an overview of this religious history, beginning with the RHN’s spiritual foundations in 1854 right up to the present day. Drawing on the past voices of patients, staff and, especially, Chaplains, we explore how spiritual needs have been raised, met – or not – and how they have evolved across the decades.

Pastor Geoff Coyne, our current Chaplain, brings to light the religious and non-religious spiritual needs of people at the RHN today.”

Speakers

Carl Banks – Volunteer Researcher
Pastor Geoff Coyne – RHN Chaplain