About this theme
This theme covers all aspects of the functioning and services of the state, including public services, governance and political processes, rule of law and international relations. It is one of the eight universal themes which form our grantmaking framework and allow us to address every aspect of society. Fellows’ stories
Jeannot Farmer (CF 2023 ) was in the public gallery at the Houses of Parliament on 2nd of July, when Sir Prime Minister Keir Starmer made his profound apology to those affected by historic adoption practices that forcibly separated babies from their unmarried mothers. Jeannot was honoured to be invited by the Secretary of State for Education to an event in Speaker’s House following the apology.
By Jeannot Farmer, 2026
By Sarah Smith, 2024
Al Coates (CF 2024) presented at The NVR Global Conference, sharing learning from his work with adoptive parents experiencing challenging and aggressive behaviour from their children.
By Al Coates, 2026
Following her Fellowship across Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, Clare Holdsworth reflects on how paid lived-experience roles can support care-experienced young people to shape services, policy, and practice. Drawing on conversations with organisations, professionals, and young people, she explores what it takes to make these roles psychologically safe, meaningful, and supportive of long-term careers. She is now sharing this learning in Sheffield, using curiosity as a way to ask better questions with young people, not just about them.
By Clare Holdsworth, 2026
Jeannot Farmer (CF 2023) worked in partnership with MAA Scotland (The Movement for an Adoption Apology Scotland) and Dr. Stella Bolaki of the University of Kent to deliver and take part in two artist's book workshops in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
By Jeannot Farmer, 2026
Mike Spencer (CF 2025) won the Innovator of the Year award at the Global Search & Rescue Excellence Awards, recognising his work pioneering the use of Eurasian otters in UK search and rescue.
By Mike Spencer, 2026
Elsy Gomez Campos (CF 2025) has joined Sounddelivery Media’s 2026 Spokesperson Leadership Programme.
By Elsy Gomez Campos, 2026
Elsy Gomez Campos (CF 2025) spoke at the Clinical Pharmacy Congress about the Churchill Fellowship alongside fellow pharmacy professionals and Fellows, encouraging others in the sector to consider applying.
By Elsy Gomez Campos, 2026
Terri-Anne Hamer (CF 2025) featured on the Trauma Informed Consultancy Services (TICS) podcast, discussing parenting as a care-experienced mother and the relationship between trauma, healing, and family support.
By Terri-Anne Hamer, 2026
Augusta Itua (CF 2023) hosted a CoramBAAF Exploring Expertise event on trauma-informed and rights-based approaches to care records, following the launch of the Information Commissioner’s Office Better Records Together campaign and new Care Records Standards.
By Augusta Itua, 2026
