History

Jessie Brown, a feisty and visionary woman, who inherited property from her late husband James, established the Trust in 1892.

She set it up in memory of James with the aim of providing services for people in need.

The main focus during the first fifty years was the alleviation of suffering amongst tuberculosis patients and crippled children. Over time general improvement in health standards has seen the impact of diseases like TB and Polio eradicated and the shift in emphasis of the Trust has been towards care of the aged and disadvantaged.

Much of the charitable work of recent times has been centred around our affordable housing; modern, sustainably designed housing for simple low cost living, enabling people to step out of risk of homelessness, supported by agencies into a more secure future.

Having said that, all the Trust’s services aim to enable people to live in a supportive community and enjoy life, whatever their needs or financial status may be and our not-for-profit status allows us to reinvest in the Trust, not be required to pay dividends to shareholders. Wise, experienced strategic leadership by the Board of Trustees to meet Jessie’s vision in the James Brown Memorial Trust Act ensures we will be here serving those in need for another 130 years.