C hurchill Fellowships are travel grants that fund individuals to research innovative ideas and best practice overseas , then bring their global insights back to the UK and make change happen in their professions and communities . Fellowships are available in 12 fields of interest , including a new category devoted to ‘ Rural living : strengthening countryside communities ’. The deadline for applications is 18 September 2018 for travel in 2019 . Julia Weston , Chief Executive of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust , said :
“ Rural communities and economies are currently going through a period of great change , and face a huge range of challenges , as well as opportunities , especially in light of Brexit . In March the House of Lords select committee on rural communities reported that some of the worst spots for deprivation and
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intergenerational poverty are in the countryside . We ’ re looking for new ideas that can help to tackle that . These Churchill Fellowships will fund people who are inspired to seek new solutions for rural life and keen to make change happen .”
The Rural Living category is the result of a partnership between the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and The Prince ' s Countryside Fund . It will fund Fellowships exploring wide-ranging approaches to a range of rural issues , such as invigorating transport networks , rethinking housing and planning , boosting employment and enterprise , and improving access to education , culture and healthcare .
Claire Saunders , Director of The Prince ’ s Countryside Fund , said :
“ We are delighted to be working with the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust . Their Fellowships offer a wonderful chance at a time of great change , for people to undertake grass roots research into ways of regenerating rural communities , and importantly it also provides a platform for people to share their
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vital findings . Whoever you are , these Fellowships are a chance for everyone to research and share their findings .”
With ‘ National Countryside Week ’ taking place next week ( Monday 30 July to Sunday 5 August ), issues faced by rural communities are very much on the agenda . Its theme of of isolated rural communities , and the solutions to the challenges they face , highlights some of the issues that applicants for Churchill Fellowships may consider addressing .
Examples of past Churchill Fellows who have investigated rural issues include :
Ann Pascoe , who travelled to India in 2012 to learn from initiatives enabling lay people to detect early symptoms of dementia and carer stress . On her return to the UK , Ann established a social enterprise to raise the profile of dementia in rural communities . She was also invited to join the Prime Minister ' s rural dementia communities task group . Read more about Ann ’ s Fellowship Nature conservation worker
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Rachel Remnant , who travelled to Romania in 2016 to investigate traditional meadow conservation skills . Since returning to the UK , she has shared the skills she has learnt with fellow farmers and land managers and has organised hands-on events for people in her local community , such as wildflower hunts and hay gathering . Read more about Rachel ’ s Fellowship
Churchill Fellows are funded to research new ideas overseas for 4-8 weeks , in topics and countries of their own choice , with the aim of gaining fresh perspectives and insights that can make a difference to their community or profession back home . More details on the ‘ Rural living : strengthening countryside communities ’ category can be found here .
Everyone can apply for a Churchill Fellowship , regardless of age , background or qualifications , so long as they are a UK citizen aged 18 or over . To apply , or for more details , visit wcmt . org . uk
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