Covid-19

About this theme

This theme covers topics relating to the pandemic and the minimisation of its effects across society including healthcare, domestic abuse, food poverty, mental health, education and more. It is an area of topical interest supported by our Covid-19 Action Fund. Fellows' stories

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Fellows' updates September 2026 Fellows' update: Erica McInnis

Dr Erica McInnis (CF 2016) delivered teaching on the University of Exeter’s Doctorate in Educational Psychology programme, drawing on learning from her Fellowship.

By Erica McInnis, 2026

Blogs & conversations It takes a village: trauma-responsive communities are pivotal to addressing youth violence

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

Blogs & conversations In conversation with Melvin Hartley: Harnessing the power of spontaneous volunteers

We spoke to Melvin Hartley about how his Churchill Fellowship helped him put spontaneous volunteering into practice during the Covid pandemic and beyond. After travelling to the USA to explore how volunteers are organised in response to disasters, Melvin returned to the UK just as lockdown began and used his learning to coordinate community support in Hampshire. His Fellowship also helped shape HYPER (Hampshire Young People’s Emergency Response), showing how older teenagers can play an active role in emergency response.