Naomi’s Celebrates Special Medal
Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska, the founder of the Lincoln NW Counselling Hub, is on a high after receiving a special honour.
This month Naomi was thrilled to be presented with a prestigious Churchill Fellowship medallion at a special awards ceremony in London – an event which also honoured 121 other people.
Naomi’s celebration marked the successful completion of her research into the suicide prevention of children, young people and adults between the ages of four and 30 years old.
The Fellowship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, open to all UK Adult citizens, to lead the change they want to see.
The charity funds applicants to spend between four-and eight-weeks meeting experts in their field anywhere in the world in person and/or online, building international networks that promote reciprocal knowledge exchange.
In turn, it helps Fellows to make a difference in their community or professional sector in the UK.
This award recognises Naomi’s pioneering research and ongoing efforts in suicide prevention among children and young people.
The Fellowship, awarded in 2019, enabled Naomi to travel to Australia and New Zealand to learn from leading experts in the field and bring critical knowledge back to her work with the NW Counselling Hub.
Churchill Fellowship Chair Jeremy Soames said: “We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Churchill Fellows at our 2024 Awards Ceremony.
The occasion marked the successful completion of 122 Fellows’ international research and reports – forming an impressively substantial body of work.
“More importantly, it illustrated the significant impact being made in communities and sectors through the ideas, dedication and energy that are the hallmarks of every Churchill Fellow. Many congratulations to all recipients.”
Naomi said: “Receiving the Churchill Fellowship medallion was a deeply emotional and humbling moment for me.
This honour represents, not just the culmination of my journey but also the continuation of a mission that is incredibly close to my heart.
“The opportunity to study innovative approaches to suicide prevention in Australia and New Zealand has profoundly shaped my understanding of how we can better support our most vulnerable young people and adults.”
During the Fellowship, Naomi focused on examining the underlying causes of young people dying by suicide and identifying effective prevention strategies.
This research was driven by the urgent need to address rising suicide rates and the devastating impact they have on families and communities.
“The conversations I had, the programs I observed and the communities I engaged with, were eye-opening and they have since informed much of our work at NWCH.”
Since returning, Naomi and her team have translated her insights into tangible actions.
“We have developed new programs aimed at early intervention and support for at-risk youths and adults.
These efforts have been instrumental in creating safer, more supportive environments for children, young people and adults facing mental health challenges.”
Naomi said she is committed to continuing this vital work, especially in the light of recent figures which revealed that deaths by suicide increased in 2023 in England and Wales.
“The medallion is not just a symbol of the work we’ve done, but a reminder of the work that still lies ahead.
“We are more determined than ever to expand our reach, advocate for better mental health policies and ensure every young person has access to the care and support they deserve.
“The journey is far from over but, with the support of our community I am confident that we can make a lasting impact,” said Naomi.