Arts and communities - The Churchill Fellowship
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Arts and communities

About this theme

This theme covers topics relating to achieving positive change and resilience for UK communities of all kinds through engagement with arts, culture and creative practices. It is one of our current programmes for Fellowships, launched in 2023, and has been developed in consultation with our Arts and Culture working group. Fellows’ stories

Blogs & conversations Songwriting for Confidence, Self-Expression, and Connection

During her Churchill Fellowship, songwriter Hannah Louise Partridge – known professionally as Anna Anise – explored how collaborative songwriting retreats in the United States help musicians build confidence, connection, and lasting creative networks. Drawing on visits to six retreat programmes, she reflects on the power of shared creative space to support wellbeing and sustain musical careers. Now applying this learning through her organisation CHORUS Songwriting CIC, she is developing retreats that strengthen community and widen access to songwriting across the UK.

By Hannah Louise Partridge, 2026

Blogs & conversations A Changemaker Mam: Building Theatre for Survivors

JoJo Kirtley reflects on balancing her Churchill Fellowship with life as a mother of three while exploring how survivor-led theatre can challenge violence against women and girls. Drawing on learning from practitioners across Europe, North America, and Africa, she shares how community-led creative work can build safety, solidarity, and lasting change. Now developing her Theatre of the Survivor framework in the North East of England, JoJo is putting this learning into practice to support women and communities.

By JoJo Kirtley, 2026

Blogs & conversations Beyond the Beat: Building the Architecture for Creative Communities

Dominic Heslop’s Churchill Fellowship explored the “cultural architecture” that allows creativity to thrive and communities to heal, taking him to Jamaica, Berlin, and Athens – each offering lessons in resilience, expression, and collective care. Back in Sheffield, Dominic is embedding these insights into his grassroots organisation Slambarz, combining artistry with structure to support young people, build community, and show how creativity can strengthen wellbeing and identity.

By Dominic Heslop, 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, 2025

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