Since its inception in 1892, the Trust has adapted its activities to meet the needs of the community but always in keeping with the mission laid down by its benefactress, Jessie Brown, in her Last Will and Testament. Whereas the main thrust during the first fifty years was towards the alleviation of suffering amongst tuberculosis patients and crippled children, general improvements in health standards led to a shift in emphasis towards care of the aged and disadvantaged. Whilst the latter Trust services have continued to grow, the last decade has also seen a move by the Trust into independent aged living with the establishment of Kalyra Heights Retirement Village in Belair, co-located with Kalyra Aged Care Facility. This has meant the Trust being able to provide a continuum of aged care living on its Kalyra site.

There were momentous events in the history of the Trust, the most notable precipitating its staff, volunteers and members of the Board into dispute with the State Government and the South Australian Health Commission in the late 1980's in an attempt to save Kalyra Hospital. These efforts, assisted by a petition containing 23,000 signatures, were not successful, however this simply meant the Trust adapting once again through enhancing its aged care services at the Kalyra, Belair site, including the development of an aged care management consultancy service involving the RSL Angle Park Aged Care Villas.