A charitable hospital providing specialist services to the NHS
The Mildmay Line has been named in honour of Mildmay Hospital, recognising its pioneering care for people with HIV/AIDS in the 1980s and 90s, its ongoing support for LGBTQI+ communities, and its service to East London for over 160 years.
A Legacy of Care:
The Story of Mildmay Hospital and the Mildmay line
The Mildmay line honours Mildmay, a small yet vital charitable hospital with a long history of supporting Londoners in need, serving the NHS in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
Mildmay’s story began in the 1860s with Reverend William Pennefather and his wife, Catherine, who were based at St Jude and St Paul’s Church in Mildmay Grove, Islington. Together, they founded several 'Mildmay Institutions' aimed at training educated young women, known as 'Deaconesses,' in Christian service and philanthropy.
In 1866, when a cholera epidemic struck the East End’s poorest slums - the notorious 'Old Nichol,' an area shunned by most Londoners - two Mildmay Deaconesses courageously volunteered to care for the sick. Although the epidemic eventually subsided, their work continued, establishing the foundation for training nurses and offering care to the most vulnerable in society.
In 1877, the first charitable Mildmay 'Mission' Hospital was established in a disused warehouse in the Old Nichol. In 1892, the first purpose-built Mildmay Mission Hospital was opened nearby on Austin Street.
The hospital continued to serve the local community for many years, and in 1948, it was incorporated into the newly formed National Health Service (NHS).
In 1982, Mildmay was scheduled to be closed down amid NHS cutbacks, but after a long battle, it reopened once again in 1985 as an independent charitable hospital.
Then, in 1988, at the request of the UK government, Mildmay opened Europe’s first dedicated AIDS hospice.
Diana, Princess of Wales visited Mildmay a remarkable 17 times between 1989 and her untimely death in 1997. The press coverage of these visits played a significant role in combating the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS during a critical time.
Today, Mildmay Hospital operates from a modern, purpose-built facility on its original site, officially opened by Prince Harry in 2015.
While our understanding and treatment of HIV-related illnesses have advanced significantly, HIV remains a major global public health challenge.
Mildmay continues to be an internationally renowned specialist centre, providing rehabilitation and care for patients with complex HIV-related conditions. It also holds a special place in the hearts of London’s LGBTQI+ communities.
The Mayor of London and TfL selected Mildmay to symbolise and celebrate the vital role of the NHS and its smaller healthcare centres in caring for all Londoners.
"More than just tracks and stations, the Mildmay Line symbolises a journey of acceptance, love, and belonging - a vibrant thread connecting our collective past, present, and future.”
Geoff Coleman
Mildmay's CEO
Prince Harry visited Mildmay in 2015 and officially opened our new hospital building.
Who is on the Mildmay Line Poster?
Nurses from throughout Mildmay's long history stand before the iconic TfL roundel, its blue lines mirroring the Mildmay line on Tube and Overground maps. A ribbon, the global symbol of AIDS awareness since 1990, unites the image, honouring Mildmay's enduring legacy.
Emily Goodwin was the first matron when the new Mildmay Mission Hospital was opened in 1892. Her dedication and leadership were instrumental in shaping the hospital’s early years.
Nurse Maud Haynes, depicted on the poster in a photograph taken in 1921, was still at Mildmay 44 years later as a loyal and committed carer in 1965, when Princess Alexandra visited the hospital to open a new wing (she can be seen here behind Princess Alexandra, who is chatting with a patient).
Comfort Sagoe was our clinical lead nurse, in charge of the entire nursing team, until her well-deserved retirement in April 2024. She joined Mildmay in 2005 as one of our international recruits and gave the hospital almost twenty years of dedicated service. Taking on the role of Lead Nurse in 2018, she proficiently guided our nursing team through some of the most formidable challenges that Mildmay has ever faced.
Nurse Comfort personifies the compassion and dedication of everyone in the Mildmay family.
Improving Navigation and Reflecting the Diversity of London
The six new London Overground line names, Liberty, Lioness, Mildmay, Suffragette, Windrush and Weaver, were chosen to make the network easier to navigate and to ensure London’s transport system reflects its rich and diverse history.
The naming of the London Overground lines is part of a strategy by the Mayor of London and TfL to celebrate London’s many historic locations and forgotten stories, using public spaces to highlight groups that have been historically less recognised.
Tube map with the new London Overground names
PDF 1.50 MB
"There are so many Londoners, historic locations and forgotten stories from our city that need re-telling. Naming the lines will not only help educate visitors about our amazing city and its incredible history, but will also make it easier for people who live, work or visit London to more easily navigate the city”
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
We need your support.
While Mildmay receives part-funding from the NHS, it’s only through the generosity of donors like you that we can continue to provide essential services for society’s most vulnerable people.
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For nearly 40 years, Mildmay has been a leader in specialist care for complex HIV-related conditions, supporting patients from across the UK.
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Since 2020, we've expanded to provide clinical care, post-detox rehabilitation, and reablement services for people who are homeless across London and beyond.
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We also offer neurorehabilitation and mental health support.
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Internationally, Mildmay has worked since the 1990s, supporting HIV and human rights-linked healthcare in Africa.
Your contribution makes a real difference. With your help, we can continue transforming lives.
Listen to the official TfL podcast
In the second series of MIND THE GAP, host Tim Dunn is on a mission to travel across the capital as he explores the stories behind the renamed London Overground lines.
In the first episode, Tim visits Mildmay and meets former patient, campaigner and AIDS survivor Jason Reid, who tells his story of becoming seriously ill with AIDS in 2005 and the importance of Mildmay in supporting and helping him to survive during an incredibly difficult time.
Tim is also taken on a tour of the facilities by Mildmay CEO Geoff Coleman and speaks with social worker and safeguarding lead Beverley Nelson, who has been working at Mildmay for 14 years.
Celebrate London's History and the Mildmay line with Go Jauntly's New Walking Tours
Go Jauntly, in collaboration with TfL and key partners (that's us!), has launched six brand-new walking tours to celebrate the naming of the six London Overground lines, including the Mildmay Line!
Go Jauntly have a fantastic walk just for you.
The Mildmay Line Walking Tour
is an app-based, self-led journey celebrating the legacy of Mildmay Hospital and its contributions to healthcare, particularly in tackling HIV/AIDS. Running between Richmond, Clapham Junction, and Stratford, the tour highlights the hospital’s history and explores key LGBTQ+ landmarks along the route, providing a deeper connection to London’s LGBTQ+ past and present.
You can check out this walking route on the Go Jauntly app. Your walking app for everyday outdoor adventures
Copyright © 2024 Mildmay Mission Hospital
Charity no. 292058
Company no. 01921087