Research
Our approach
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We will support research at our new Centre of Excellence, led by Professor Lorna Fraser within the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, Policy & Rehabilitation at King’s College London.
The Institute pioneers research into rehabilitation and palliative care, and was the world’s first purpose-built Institute for palliative care when it was founded in 2010. The centre is built on the legacy of Dame Cicily Saunders, the founder of the modern hospice movement.
Our partnership with King's College London will ensure that children and their families are at the centre of important research opportunities at the Institute in the future, as we fund new research opportunities and avenues of study focussed specifically on paediatric palliative care.
Patient and public involvement (PPI) will be at the heart of the work undertaken at the centre, ensuring any policy impact or research outputs are undertaken with the input of children and parents with lived experience.
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Studentships
Starting in Autumn 2025 two studentships within the Centre of Excellence will be funded by Kentown Support, to support new and innovative research into paediatric palliative care.
Candidates have been asked to submit their own topics of interest, but we have also outlined our particular interest in supporting research focused on the community.
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Dr Helena Dunbar, CEO of Kentown Support, says:​​
"I am thrilled that Kentown Support is able to fund these PHD studentships as part of our new partnership with KCL. As a nurse I understand how difficult it is to access opportunities for further training and development. The funding and supervision from the team led by Professor Lorna Fraser that this studentship will offer will be invaluable."
This, we hope, is just the beginning of the research opportunities that Kentown Support will facilitate as our organisation grows and develops.
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