Finishing strong: Navigating the final stretch of a PhD
Schenelle Dlima (University of Manchester) offers a view about navigating the final stretch of a PhD – what it takes to finish, and what comes next.
Stories from our award-holders
Launch of the Amar bari, amar jibon research report
Last week (5/2/26) our CEO Katy Saunders and Senior Grants Manager Oliver Soutar were invited to the House of Lords for a special event hosted by Lord Best. It was the launch of the research report ‘Amar bari, amar jibon (My home, my life): Developing suitable living environments for Bangladeshi elders.’
From clinic to campus: A nurse’s path to PhD research
When Sandra Dyer started her PhD at King’s College London’s Cicely Saunders Institute in February 2025, it marked the end of a years-long journey – one that included two fellowship applications, job changes, and moments of questioning whether research was “for nurses like me.” But here’s what she learned: the path into research isn’t always linear, and for any emerging researchers, resilience and a strong support network make all the difference.
Success stories from Zinc’s Inflection Programme
Back in August 2025 we announced that we were funding five places for Vivensa Academy members to join Zinc’s Inflection Programme. As the 12-week interdisciplinary programme has just finished, we spoke with the five Academy members we funded.
Celebrating six years of partnership: Supporting the next generation of hearing researchers
For the past six years, the Vivensa Foundation and RNID have worked together to support early career researchers (ECRs) tackling one of the most underfunded areas in ageing-related research: hearing loss.
Boosting learning and leadership within community-led organisations
At the Vivensa Foundation, we believe in funding people as well as projects. That’s why we started the Capability Development Programme – to give community-led organisations working with older people the tools they need to succeed: practical learning, leadership development, strategic thinking time and a £15k grant to put their ideas into action.
Investing in community-led organisations: The Capability Development Programme
Funded by the Vivensa Foundation, the Capability Development Programme provides expert learning, peer support, and practical grants to community-led organisations — giving leaders the confidence and tools they need to move forward.
International Day of Older People: How we build belonging, today and every day
As the UK’s only charitable funder focused entirely on supporting the research and social innovation needed for ageing well, the International Day of Older People is something we at the Vivensa Foundation can get behind – today and every day.
Shaping science together: Patient, carer and public involvement and engagement in ageing research
How can science and lived experience work hand-in-hand to create better outcomes for older adults? We spoke to three Vivensa-funded researchers about the power of patient, carer and public involvement and engagement (PPIE). We talk about the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the lessons they’ve learned from working alongside the people their research is designed to help.
In conversation with Professor Tom Kirkwood CBE FMedSci
We talk to Professor Tom Kirkwood CBE FMedSci about being funded by us in 1991 and how this propelled his career. We ask him what he’s enjoyed about serving first on our Grants and Research Committee and later on the Board of Trustees.
Making an impact part 3: Our approach to capacity building
As the UK’s only charitable funder focused entirely on supporting the research and social innovation needed for ageing well, we want to see the ageing research sector filled with talented and committed people.
Making an impact part 2: Empowering individuals to age well
Ageing is a deeply personal journey, shaped by individual experiences, needs, and challenges. At the heart of the Vivensa Foundation’s mission lies a commitment to involvement and engagement, ensuring that those most affected by ageing-related challenges play a meaningful role in shaping solutions.