Rank Ripples – Autumn 2026 Edition

15 Years of Rank Memorial Award Journeys

The Rank Memorial Award was established in 2010 to commemorate our former Chairman, Fred Packard. The aim of the Memorial Award is to give Network members the opportunity to go on a learning journey, meet people who are tackling similar issues and bring what they learn back to their communities – and into the Network.

For this edition, we invited Rank Memorial Award recipients from across the last 15 years to reflect on where their journeys have led and how their experiences continue to shape their work.

Neil Young travelled to Canada to learn about youth radio and came home with an idea that helped grow a community food project in Glasgow. Years later, Melanie Hall visited one of the same organisations and brought fresh thinking back to Glasgow. Elsewhere, Joe Russo reflects on what he learnt about responding to violence with love and care in Los Angeles. Laura Charlton considered what it takes to support families beyond an immediate crisis. Emma Pears, Lily Fairbairn and Viccie Hamlet each returned from their trip with insights about belonging, community power and wellbeing.

Our Director of Education and Leadership, John Hind, also shares the usual Fellowship update. And you’ll find details of our 2026 Memorial Award winners, Alisha Dixon and Angeletia Padmore, on page 30.

We hope you enjoy reading this edition of Ripples!