Blogs & conversations
The Churchill Fellowship
apply here

News & views

Blogs & conversations

Churchill Fellows offer their views and advice on topical issues, based on global research and UK activities.

To connect with a Fellow, please go to their Profile page. To find related content, click the tag under each item below. To receive regular blog alerts, sign up at the foot of this page.

If you are a Fellow and would like to write a blog for us, please email digital@churchillfellowship.org to discuss the topic you have in mind.

Blogs & conversations

“Kindness and Goodwill”: Developing Postvention in Prison

With self-inflicted deaths in prisons remaining consistently high, Piers Barber set out to explore how prisons can respond with stronger postvention – systematic aftercare following a suicide. His Fellowship took him to New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, where he saw examples such as the embedded role of chaplains in New Zealand prisons, new trials in Australia, and trauma training models for staff in Canada. He is now sharing his reflections with UK practitioners and policymakers, calling for leadership, mapping of all contact points, and varied support to strengthen suicide prevention in custody.

By Piers Barber, 22 October 2025

Blogs & conversations

“Kindness and Goodwill”: Developing Postvention in Prison

With self-inflicted deaths in prisons remaining consistently high, Piers Barber set out to explore how prisons can respond with stronger postvention – systematic aftercare following a suicide. His Fellowship took him to New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, where he saw examples such as the embedded role of chaplains in New Zealand prisons, new trials in Australia, and trauma training models for staff in Canada. He is now sharing his reflections with UK practitioners and policymakers, calling for leadership, mapping of all contact points, and varied support to strengthen suicide prevention in custody.

By Piers Barber, 22 October 2025

Blogs & conversations

In conversation with Faith Yiminyi: Beyond the learning: a Churchill Fellowship’s lifelong influence

We spoke to Faith Yiminyi about her 2009 Churchill Fellowship, which took her to the United States to explore how dance companies could thrive and open opportunities for young people. At just 21, she set out to learn new styles, work with choreographers, and see how dance could build confidence and enrich communities. More than 15 years on, Faith reflects on how her Fellowship shaped her journey – from running her own dance school, to working in social care and cyber security, and now returning to dance as a board member of a community studio.

By Faith Yiminyi, 16 October 2025

Blogs & conversations

Scaling Suicide Prevention: Lessons for the UK from India, the USA, and Canada

In memory of his friend Olly, who died by suicide in 2017, Rory Keddie set out to explore how medical students can be better prepared to support people in crisis. His Fellowship took him to India, the USA, and Canada, where he learned from innovative approaches using technology, policy change, and university frameworks. Building on his work with the Dr SAMS project, which has already trained over 2,800 UK medical students, Rory is now working to expand training and engage policymakers so suicide prevention becomes a core part of every doctor’s education.

By Rory Keddie, 9 October 2025

Blogs & conversations

Renegade Guides: the places we go, the stories we share

Writer, guide, and founder of Living London, Saira Niazi spent her Churchill Fellowship in the USA exploring how tours and storytelling can be more inclusive, ethical, and community-focused. Her travels took her through 41 neighbourhoods, 32 guided tours, and 36 interviews with “renegade guides,” organisers, and storytellers, culminating in the creation of the Renegade Guides Handbook. Since its launch, Saira has been sharing her findings widely and continues to lead tours, write, and collaborate with communities.

By Saira Niazi, 2 October 2025

Blogs & conversations

New programme aims to build prosperous, resilient economies across the UK

The Churchill Fellowship has launched a new programme – Building Prosperous, Resilient Economies – to support individuals with practical ideas for strengthening economic resilience in their communities. In this blog, Advisory Council Chair Lucy Parker, and Fellows Grace Harrison and John Barker, reflect on why this programme matters, what it hopes to spark, and how it’s rooted in lived experience, policy insight, and local action.

Blogs & conversations

Health, Homelessness, and Hope: Children in Temporary Accommodation

Monica Lakhanpaul’s Fellowship took her to Australia to explore how different systems respond to the health and wellbeing needs of children living in temporary accommodation. Back in the UK, her work has already helped launch the In Their Own Words report in the Scottish Parliament and continues through research, media, and international collaborations. She now hopes to build on this momentum to ensure that children’s voices are heard – and acted upon – in shaping a fairer future.

By Monica Lakhanpaul, 18 September 2025

Blogs & conversations

The environmental saviour that is… Donkey milk

As part of his Churchill Fellowship, Ross Watson travelled to the Balkans to see how four countries collaborate to remove invasive non-native plants along the 1000km Sava River. In Serbia’s Zasavica reserve, he found donkeys and horses grazing semi-ferally on invasive plants – turning a major environmental problem into prized products like milk, cheese, and soap. His Fellowship showed how being creative and using the right tools in the right way can bring environmental, economic, and community benefits – lessons he is keen to apply in the UK.

By Ross Watson, 11 September 2025

Blogs & conversations

From idea to award – what we learned from last year’s Churchill Fellowship applications

Abigail Campbell, Head of Fellowship, reflects on what we learned from the 2025 application round – from who applied and where they wanted to go, to the ideas that really stood out. She also shares what makes a strong application, and offers tips for anyone thinking of applying for a Churchill Fellowship in 2026. If you’re considering applying this year, Abigail’s reflections will give you an inside look at the process and some helpful advice to guide your journey.

Blogs & conversations

In conversation with Antonia Charlton: How a Fellowship contributed to the televising of Parliament

We spoke to Churchill Fellow Antonia (Toni) Charlton about how her Fellowship helped pave the way for televising the House of Commons. Travelling to the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, Toni explored how parliaments overseas managed live broadcasting. Just weeks after her return, Parliament voted to trial televised Commons debates – and Toni was appointed BBC project manager to make it happen. She reflects on how the Fellowship shaped her career and fuelled her ongoing passion for public service broadcasting.

By Antonia M J Charlton, 21 August 2025

Newsletter Sign Up