Nursing Associates play a vital and growing role within the healthcare workforce, contributing directly to patient care across a wide range of settings. Despite this, opportunities for national recognition, leadership development, and professional identity remain limited.

The Crown Fellowship exists to address this gap. It has been established to support the development and recognition of Nursing Associates with leadership potential, and to create a national framework through which they can contribute to leadership, education, and service improvement.

By focusing on leadership, recognition, and professional identity, the Fellowship aims to strengthen the Nursing Associate role and support its contribution to the future of healthcare.

The Crown Fellowship is operated by The Crown Fellowship CIC, a Community Interest Company established to develop and support leadership potential among Nursing Associates in the UK. The organisation has been created with a clear public benefit purpose: to strengthen professional identity, recognition, and leadership capability within the Nursing Associate workforce.

As a CIC, the Crown Fellowship is committed to ensuring that all activity is undertaken in the interests of public benefit. Any surplus generated is reinvested to support the development of leadership initiatives, partnerships, and future Fellowship activity.

The organisation is currently in a development phase, working with healthcare professionals, educators, and stakeholders to establish appropriate governance, secure funding, and shape future leadership opportunities aligned with national workforce priorities.

The Crown Fellowship is working towards the establishment of a nationally recognised Fellowship that supports Nursing Associates to develop leadership capability and professional identity within the healthcare workforce.

Our vision is guided by the principle that Nursing Associates should have access to appropriate recognition, development opportunities, and professional networks that reflect their contribution to patient care and service delivery. The Fellowship seeks to support leadership development in a way that is inclusive, evidence-informed, and aligned with the evolving needs of healthcare.

In pursuing this vision, the Crown Fellowship is focused on:

• Leadership – supporting Nursing Associates to develop leadership capability at all stages of their professional journey

• Recognition – strengthening national recognition and professional identity for the Nursing Associate role

• Networks – fostering professional connections that support shared learning, mentorship, and collaboration

• Contribution – enabling Nursing Associates to contribute to leadership, education, and service improvement across healthcare

The development of the Fellowship is being shaped in collaboration with healthcare professionals, educators, and stakeholders, and is dependent on appropriate governance, funding, and partnership.

The Crown Fellowship is seeking support from organisations, partners, and sponsors who share a commitment to developing leadership capability and professional recognition within the healthcare workforce.

Support for the Fellowship is intended for:

• Healthcare organisations

• Education providers

• Professional bodies

• Corporate and charitable partners

Strengthening leadership among Nursing Associates matters because they form a vital and growing part of the healthcare workforce, contributing directly to patient care, service delivery, and workforce sustainability. Supporting leadership development within this group helps to strengthen professional identity, improve retention, and support the future leadership capacity of healthcare services.

Support enables the Crown Fellowship to:

• Develop appropriate governance and accountability structures

• Engage with stakeholders across healthcare and education

• Design future leadership and recognition initiatives

• Establish sustainable professional networks and partnerships

The Crown Fellowship is currently in a development phase, and support at this stage plays a key role in shaping a considered, well-governed Fellowship aligned with national workforce priorities.

The Crown Fellowship CIC is committed to high standards of governance, accountability, and ethical practice in the delivery of its public benefit purpose.

Governance of the organisation is guided by principles of transparency, integrity, and stewardship. These principles underpin decision-making, the use of resources, and the development of Fellowship activity, ensuring that all work is undertaken in the interests of public benefit and aligned with the organisation’s charitable objectives.

The Crown Fellowship CIC is in the process of establishing a formal Board and advisory structure. This is intended to include individuals with experience across healthcare practice, education, leadership development, and governance. The Board and advisors will provide strategic oversight, support good governance, and ensure that the organisation remains accountable to its purpose and stakeholders.

The organisation is committed to transparency in its operations, including openness about its development stage, governance arrangements, and the appropriate use of funds. Ethical practice and public benefit remain central to all activity undertaken by the Crown Fellowship.