In 1887 the Parishioners of St Peter’s Church in Brighton, came together to fund the employment of a Nurse, to visit the sick and poor members of the parish community. The Brighton District Nursing Association was founded and at its peak, employed a number of Nurses across the city. 

At the point at which the NHS was founded, District Nursing ceased to be a locally organised activity, and the Nurses employment transferred to the NHS. 

However the assets of the Trust were retained and have been invested ever since. The BDNAT uses these investments to support nursing staff and sick and in-need people across the City.