We're Hiring a Head of Activate
We’re hiring a Head of Activate to relaunch and evolve our Activate Fund – helping Churchill Fellows turn global research into practical action across the UK. Apply by Sunday, 8 June at midnight.
The Churchill Fellowship
A community of changemakers
About usLearning from the world. Inspiring change in the UK.
We are the Churchill Fellowship: a UK charity which supports individual UK citizens to follow their passion for change, through learning from the world and bringing that knowledge back to the UK. Together our community of Churchill Fellows use their international learning to lead the change they wish to see across every area of UK life. We were founded by public donation in 1965 as the living legacy of Sir Winston Churchill for the nation.
Highlighting the impact of the Activate Fund
Launched as a pilot, the Activate Fund powers Churchill Fellows to turn bold ideas into real-world impact. From business incubators to cancer support programmes, Fellows like David Morgan, Anna Wardley, and Ceinwen Giles are sparking change across the UK.
Capturing Fellows’ Stories: The Oral History Project
To mark our 60th Anniversary, we're excited to share the Oral History Project – a growing collection of recorded conversations capturing the journeys, reflections and experiences of our Fellows. Now available online for the first time, these stories offer a unique opportunity to explore the personal insights and contributions of Fellows and supporters over the years.
Celebrating 60 Years of the Churchill Fellowship
60 years since the launch of the Churchill Fellowship, nearly 6,000 Fellows have been pioneering change across the UK. To honour their work, we’re launching a £10m Appeal to fund the Activate Programme, empowering Fellows to turn their ideas into action.
Learning from the world
Ideas & expertsChurchill Fellows are a unique source of ideas from around the world for a range of issues across all areas of UK society. Read some of their latest below or head to our News and Views section to find out more.
Unlocking Potential: The Impact of Support and Belief from Others
Exploring how European funding could support community development took me to Austria, Belgium, and Spain for my Fellowship – a journey that continues to shape my work today. That experience helped build momentum in my career and deepened my belief in the power of backing people and places to realise their potential.
By Susan Waterson, 15 May 2025
Organising with Parents and Carers: Lessons from the US East Coast
Visiting cities across the East Coast of the USA, I explored how parent-led organising is creating change in education – from winning funding for school buildings to building trust between families and institutions. My Churchill Fellowship is now helping shape how we grow our Parent Power programme at The Brilliant Club, embedding lessons on community, leadership and long-term impact.
By Jimmy Pickering, 8 May 2025
"If Not Us, Then Who?" Transforming Social Care
A BBC debate on the Assisted Dying Bill pushed me out of my depth – but my Churchill Fellowship had prepared me to feel the fear and do it because. What began as a modest research plan became a five-week tour across the USA, connecting with trauma institutes, service providers and experts. The relationships I built continue to shape my work today, including through Unique Connections – our growing effort to build a social care system grounded in love, belonging, and equity for people with intellectual disabilities.
By Beverley Samways, 1 May 2025
From Wonder to Well-Being: Exploring the Power of Scent
What began as a creative experiment at Central Saint Martins has evolved into a wearable scent technology designed to support mental wellbeing. My Churchill Fellowship enabled me to explore how sensory fashion could be used to manage stress – learning that now underpins the development of Scent Bubble®, supported by NHS innovation partners and recently featured at London Fashion Week.
By Jenny Tillotson, 24 April 2025
Featured Fellows
Fellows Directory
Paul Ricci
Empowering boys to understand, express and regulate their emotions.
2024
Zara Todd
Supporting disabled people to take up high-level positions in organisations through leadership programmes
2016
Leah Macaden
Improving dementia care through new teaching models for nurses
2019
Kenny Imafidon
Engaging young people in politics through innovative social action campaigns
2016
Daniel Grant
Engaging deprived urban communities in handball sports
2020
Our impact
The Fellowship inspires change at many different levels. Fellows combine their personal vision and experience with their global learning to strengthen UK communities and sectors and influence services and policies locally and nationally. Many also tell us about the transformational impact of the Fellowship on their own lives.
Learn moreSupport us
We welcome support for our unique programme of Fellowships, which transform lives, communities and professions across the UK. You can help our work through donations, partnerships and legacies, which are vital for growing the impact and the opportunity we offer. We are always pleased to discuss ways to get involved.
Support us