Last month Church House Westminster was delighted to host The Churchill Fellowship’s Award Ceremony and today is the last day for applications for the Churchill Fellowships.

“What is the use of living, if it not be to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?” – Sir Winston Churchill

Church House has a long and rich history interspersed with notable links to Sir Winston Churchill.

The building suffered a direct hit in the early part of WWII but due to its exceptional construction only minimal damage was done. Sir Winston was so impressed by this that the building was refurbished for use by the two Houses of Parliament for the remainder of the war.

During his speech upon unveiling of the Church House Memorial Plaque in 1948, Sir Churchill referred to Church House as “a boat in the storm for the House of Commons”.

His own office in Church House was the suite now occupied by the Churchill Fellowship, the educational charity established in his name.

The Fellowship was created as the living legacy of Sir Winston Churchill for the nation, aiming to honour his memory by reflecting his unique contribution to national life.

Conceived with Sir Winston’s approval, the Fellowship was launched on his death in 1965 and funded by an outpouring of public donations from across the country. In keeping with Sir Winston’s own spirit, it encourages UK citizens with passion and potential to be curious about the world, to explore new ideas and insights overseas, and to use those experiences to create change in every part of society.

Since 1965, 5,800 Churchill Fellows have been appointed to travel the world in his name and provide his living memorial. Today the Churchill Fellowship is a national network of 3,800 dynamic individuals who are inspiring change in every part of UK life. This is a community of highly effective changemakers working on the frontlines of today’s key issues.

Churchill Fellows discover new ideas around the world and use those global insights develop new approaches to current challenges across the UK.

Jonathan Lorie, The Churchill Fellowship Communications Director, shared some highlights of the Churchill Fellows community.

What topics are being funded this year?

We are currently open for applications for Churchill Fellowships in 11 topical themes, ranging from climate change to children in care, rural communities to tech for all. There is also an Open theme for any topics beyond this range. Applications can be made until 22 November 2022.

What are the issues that the Churchill Fellows care most passionately about?

Churchill Fellows are dedicated and dynamic individuals with a vision for change in their community or sector and they work across every area of modern life. Typically they are pursuing a cause they care passionately about and they have first-hand experience of themselves – often lived experience of the issue they wish to solve. So we get care-experienced people doing Fellowships about how to improve the care sector, or former homeless people leading proiects to build social housing. It’s an extraordinary rich network of changemakers.

What values within Sir Winston’s legacy Churchill Fellows care most about?

The Fellowship aims to honour his memory by reflecting his unique contribution to national life. It closely reflects his own concerns, with an emphasis on opportunities for individuals from all walks of life, international learning and discovery, and practical innovation in every area of society. These were elements which he strongly supported in his own life and in the formation of the Fellowship, and together they have created a remarkable resource for the nation.

Today’s Fellowships continue his spirit of curiosity and change, of universal interest and public service. Above all, they echo his enduring belief in the potential of the individual, whatever their circumstance or adversity, to achieve great things.

What is the best way to support and get engaged in the community of effective changemakers?

There are lots of ways to get involved on our website. If you’re interested in the innovative ideas that Fellows have for new solutions in every area of society, you can sign up for our weekly blogs by Fellows. If you’re thinking of applying for a Fellowship yourself, you can read about what we look for and how to apply. If you’d like to make a donation, it’s easy to do on the website and we are always pleased to receive such practical assistance for this remarkable Fellowship.

For more information please get in touch with us via our contact form or give us a call on 020 7390 1590 to discuss your event.