The Big Issue 100 Changemakers list is a tribute to the people and organisations who have focused, not on themselves, but on the rest of us. There is something in what they’re doing that will make the coming year better too. Selfless, frequently unheralded, though sometimes a little better known, they have identified something that needs to be done, something which lifts others, often through personal experience, and rather than wait and moan they get on and make change.
In 2024 we’ve done things differently. We have invited YOU to create this list. That means that every one of our Changemakers has been nominated by you, our Big Issue readers and supporters and wider community, including some famous faces. You have told us about people who you’ve encountered who have made things brighter. Our task has been to settle on 100 names. We received nominations for people and projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We have looked for those who are responsible for innovative change, at whatever level, and who are a beacon for those in need.
Our 2024 Changemakers range from an organisation tackling racism in football to a former Royal Navy Officer, whose work highlighting the experiences of veterans affected by the military’s LGBT ban, led to a historic public apology from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last summer.
There are many in between, including social media influencers, local community fridges, and an octogenarian who over the last 50 years has collected unwanted household goods for people experiencing homelessness.
This year we also searched for Young Changemakers, individuals aged 25 and under who are already making a significant impact in their communities. From child poverty and asylum seeker campaigners to a young CEO who was nominated over 100 times, we’re excited to introduce you to a new generation of social impact leaders.
In this time of untethering, when certainties are ever more loosened, the acknowledgement of those doing good is even more vital than it was before.
To all the creators, the agitators, the activists and the thinkers, to those doing their best to make things better, we celebrate and thank you all.
This is a list to inspire and to shout long and loud about.
Welcome to The Big Issue 100 Changemakers 2024.
Housing & Homelessness
The government has not yet met its pledges to address homelessness, but there are people working tirelessly to step in where policy fails
1 Mike Farrington Concrete Rose
“Unwavering and invaluable” are the words used by this Changemakers nominator to describe Mike Farrington’s work. In 2020 Farrington established Concrete Rose CIC, a Community Interest Company where he provides accommodation and support to young care-experienced people across Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Last year he expanded to providing mentors to care-experienced students at the University of Cambridge. His nominator wrote: “He supports young people who don’t have anyone else to support them and steps up when other professionals like social workers, the police and local authority housing departments fail.”
2 Standing Tall
While running night shelters in Birmingham, CEO Christy Acton (above) came up with the idea of Standing Tall, a charity offering a creative solution to match people with a stable job and a safe home across London, Birmingham and Manchester. People looking to let a spare room can rent to Standing Tall, guaranteeing them payment for six months, while helping someone get back on their feet. Forward-thinking businesses are matched with candidates who’ve experienced homelessness and are turning their lives around. Described as “the Airbnb for good”, Standing Tall has been running for four years and Acton’s nominator wrote: “Too many people are homeless. Christy is tackling it in a way that provides dignity.”
standingtall.org.uk. @christyacton
3 Homes for Good
The supply of affordable housing in Scotland has fallen 20% in three years, so low-income households are increasingly forced to seek homes in the private rented sector. Unfortunately, over 75% of private landlords do not rent to people receiving state benefits. As a result, low-income tenants struggle with affordability, insecurity and poor conditions. Since 2014, Homes For Good has been proving it is possible to operate profitably by letting quality homes at affordable rents to people on low incomes in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. The charity raised £20 million in social investment, including £3 million from Big Issue Invest. Their nominator wrote: “Homes For Good is not only driving up standards but also improving the health and wellbeing of tenants, who can use the stability provided as a springboard for success in other areas of their lives.”
4 Jennifer-Anne Smith of Loaves and Fishes
Jennifer-Anne Smith is the chief executive of Loaves and Fishes, a charity supporting homeless, isolated and vulnerable people in Salford.
Since joining as chief executive, her nominator wrote that she has made positive changes in the way the organisation operates, leading with a trauma-informed approach. Smith also sits on the Health and Wellbeing Board, is a public life commissioner for the Salford Poverty Truth Commission and is a part of Greater Manchester Police’s IAG board. Smith’s nominator wrote: “She attends a lot of these out-of-work hours, as she is passionate about creating positive changes for local people. The world needs more people like Jenni who stand up and shout about what people are facing to try and get statutory organisations to listen.”
5 Hotel School
Hotel School (above), a London charity, has been helping people experiencing homelessness for the past six years. It teaches hospitality skills to match them to sustainable employment and support them closely in their first steps into work. The intensive 12-week training course is led by trauma-informed experts, and each student is carefully matched with a suitable organisation. The charity wants to inspire people into the hospitality sector where there is a shortage of staff. Their nominator wrote: “As a result of the housing emergency the Hotel School graduates need more support than ever – making the charity’s work of paramount importance.”
6 Andrew Davis
For more than 50 years, Davis, under the aegis of Wilmslow & District Furniture Recycling, has been collecting unwanted household goods, clothes and furniture to help people experiencing homelessness and to support those unemployed and low-paid in Manchester and Cheshire. Now in his 80s, Davis runs a drop-in centre where people can come to chat over a hot drink and a sandwich and browse for clothing, bedding and household items. His nominator wrote: “Andrew’s work is becoming more and more relevant, where people are struggling with bills and are finding it ever harder to make ends meet.”
facebook.com/WilmslowFurnitureRecycling
7 Lendology
Social enterprise Lendology works with councils to lend cash to people who can’t afford to insulate their homes in the fight against rising energy bills and climate change. The low-cost lender offers a way for private renters and others who can’t access credit elsewhere to carry out essential work on their properties. Emma Lower (above), Lendology CEO, tells us why getting the word out about the social enterprise’s work is the big goal for 2024.
What was your proudest moment in 2023?
“Being awarded our B Corp accreditation in 2023 was a testament to our commitment to people, communities and the planet. It makes me proud to know that our loans do good not just for our borrowers, but for the local economy and climate.”
What are you hoping to achieve in 2024?
“It’s going to be another busy year! Our marketing budget is small and our most common piece of feedback from our clients is ‘I wish I’d known about you sooner’. Across 2024, I want to create closer strategic relationships with key charities supporting people in their homes, to ensure we have a robust referral process in place.”
How do you make a difference in modern Britain?
“Access to a warm, safe and energy-efficient home is an essential need, but for many homeowners making that happen is tough. We challenge mainstream lending with our decisions powered by people and partnerships, providing access to finance to people who may find themselves excluded.”
8 Yellow Brick Road Projects
Yellow Brick Road Projects in Hampshire is a charity that works with people under the age of 35 with one aim: to prevent youth from experiencing homelessness. Their work began out of frustration that young people were being underserved
