The Nature Cure Clinic
NCC History: Nina Hosali, a pioneering woman
In 1921 two British women, Kate Hosali and her daughter Nina, embarked on a six month visit to North Africa, seeking sunshine in the winter months. But their visit turned into a lifetime journey when they found many animals, especially pack animals such as donkeys, being poorly treated. In 1923, Kate Hosali founded the Society for the Protection of Animals in North Africa, acting as a vet in Africa, while Nina managed the London administration. After her mother's death, Nina took over her work in North Africa in addition to the London end of the organisation. By 1953, over 100,000 animals were treated or given shelter at SPANA centres. Nina was actively involved in the charity until 1984, and the charity is still thriving today.
In 1976 Nina Hosali was awarded the MBE for her services to animal welfare in North Africa.
Another charity which Nina founded in 1928 was The Nature Cure Clinic (NCC). The NCC took a pioneering approach to natural medicine by offering free treatments to those who could not otherwise have afforded them. Today complementary medicine is more mainstream and there are more places which offer affordable treatments, but in the beginning The Nature Cure Clinic was truly an innovative and visionary approach to health.
Nina had many other interests in her life, including painting (she was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts), and physical movement. She was also a supporter of the Margaret Morris Movement, and in 1981 gifted her house in Biggin Hill, Kent, to the Movement. The building is still used today.
Nina Hosali died in England in January 1987, having led a generous life which enabled both people and animals to lead happier and healthier lives because of hers.
<-- Photo of Nina Hosali fund raising, courtesy of SPANA.
The Nature Cure Clinic after Nina
For almost twenty years after Nina's death The Nature Cure Clinic continued its existence as a charity, running a small clinic and offering affordable treatments.
Towards the end of this time the charity, feeling that it was unable to reach out sufficiently with limited resources, began to look for a new way to follow Nina's vision on a larger scale. The NCC sold the building it owned to realise its assets and began work on The Village Well, a large-scale project which you can read about here. Also at this time it began to work closely with the ICM. In 2007 the NCC and the ICM took the decision to merge, creating the Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine, a merger which is currently being completed.
For public information: The Lady Margaret Fund
As part of the merger between the NCC and the ICM, a fund of money (The Lady Margaret Fund) to the amount of £14,621.97 will be moved from a separate fund into the NCC's main account to facilitate the merging of assets and to allow for simpler administration.
For any queries relating to this process, please do contact us direct: info@i-c-m.org.uk