Terri-Anne Hamer (CF 2025) presented at the Consortium for Therapeutic Communities’ annual international conference, sharing work from the Voices of Care Leavers project.
By Terri-Anne Hamer, 2026
Children and young people
About this theme
This theme covers topics relating to the protection, development and wellbeing of children and young people in society. It is an area of enduring interest that runs throughout our grantmaking. Fellows’ stories
We spoke to Ehinor Otaigbe MBE about how her Churchill Fellowship is shaping her work to support African women and children affected by domestic abuse. Drawing on her own experience, her work through Wonderfully Made Woman, and learning from organisations in Nigeria, Atlanta, and New York, Ehinor reflects on why children’s trauma must not be treated as an afterthought in domestic abuse support. She shares how her Fellowship is helping her shift conversations in the UK, working with faith and community leaders to support women and children to heal and move forward.
By Ehinor Otaigbe, 2026
Arabella Tresilian (CF 2024) shared learning from her Fellowship on culturally responsive conversations at the end of life with health and care professionals studying the Complexities of Supportive, Palliative and End of Life Care module at the University of the West of England and the Centre for Education & Research at Dorothy House.
By Arabella Tresilian, 2026
Nicola Kalisperas (CF 2026) met Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister MP, Jo White MP, Department for Education representatives, and foster carer campaigner Rae Mortimer at the Houses of Parliament to discuss the needs of babies experiencing separation, loss, and transitions in care.
By Nicola Kalisperas, 2026
Ella Hancock reflects on how her Fellowship explored whether shared housing could offer more choice, dignity, and belonging for people at risk of homelessness. Drawing on visits to cohousing communities in the Netherlands, Sweden, and the US, she shares how shared spaces, community-led models, and resident agency can help reduce isolation and create more supportive places to live. As the housing crisis deepens, Ella argues that the strongest ideas from cohousing could help shape more affordable, inclusive housing in the UK.
By Ella Hancock, 2026
By Sonia Shaljean, 2025
Terri-Anne Hamer (CF 2025) spoke at It Takes a Village, But Where’s Mine?, a webinar hosted by Coram-i and After Cloud exploring how the life stories and connections of children and young people growing up in care can be meaningfully preserved.
By Terri-Anne Hamer, 2026
Through the first leg of his Fellowship in the USA, Grant Trainer explored what it means to protect and support children with experience of care. Drawing on learning from organisations in Albany, New York City, Brooklyn, and Seattle, he reflects on approaches that place children’s identity, dignity, and relationships at the heart of protection. He is now bringing this learning back to Scotland, where it is shaping his research into policing, care experience, and trauma-informed support, ahead of the next stage of his Fellowship in New Zealand.
By Grant Trainer, 2026
Through her Churchill Fellowship, Ruth Oshikanlu explored youth violence as a public health and trauma crisis, rather than simply a criminal justice issue. Travelling to the USA and Australia, she learned from police officers, nurses, teachers, psychologists, community healers, young people, families, and Indigenous Elders about what it takes to build trauma-responsive systems. She is now using this learning to develop a Trauma-Responsive Community Network in her local borough, bringing together those who work with children and young people to create safer, more connected support.
By Ruth Oshikanlu, 2026
Niketa Sanderson-Gillard (CF 2024) appeared on The Relational Social Work Podcast alongside Luke Rodgers to discuss proposed reforms to fostering standards and guidance.
By Niketa Sanderson-Gillard, 2026