In the First Round of Fellowships, we funded two individuals working within social care to undertake research training and carry out pilot projects on adult social care priority areas, as identified by the members of our Communities of Practice. Two additional Fellows were funded in the second Round to undertake a smaller-scale research project and/or research training.
Meet our Fellows:
Hannah Kingsford is a social worker with the Kent County Council and a full-time Fellow..
Hannah’s research explores burnout in the social work workforce, specifically around formation and maintenance of professional identity, motivations for joining the profession, and professional values and morals.
Sophie Fournel is a part-time Fellow and continues in her role as a CEO of Disability Assist.
Sophie’s project is investigating barriers to employment experienced by working-age individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and focuses particularly on involving people with lived experience.
Lisa Richey has been working at Kent County Council since November 2021 first as a Case Officer and then as a Registered Social Worker.
As a part-time Fellow, her research explores neurodiversity within social workers and their wellbeing, resources and creating awareness of neurodiversity within the workplace.
Bethany Preston is a community carer and manages a small pilot project within the care company for ‘Digi Rehab’ – an exercise and strengthening programme particularly aimed at older people. Beth’s part-time fellowship focuses on training, to develop her research skill set and knowledge.