SUPPORT US
Buy A Kit
Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is associate editor at the Big Issue, where she specialises in coverage of the poverty and welfare system. She has interviewed prime ministers Andy Burnham and Sir Keir Starmer, written impactful series on the special education system, abortion rights and homelessness, led Big Issue takeovers by people with a learning disability, young people and people with Alzheimer's, as well as conducted many high-profile celebrity interviews. Isabella was awarded Best News Story at the Anti-Slavery Day Awards in 2025, was a winner of the PPA Next Gen Awards in 2023 (formerly known as the 30 under 30) and was shortlisted for journalist of the year in the Scope Disability Awards 2024. She also has an MA in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. Get in touch with Isabella through isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com
'I was restrained for hours': Mental health hospitals accused of 're-traumatising' patients
a person in a hospital gown
Mental health

'I was restrained for hours': Mental health hospitals accused of 're-traumatising' patients

Women reveal vile abuse they receive while running: 'I have to hold keys between my fingers'
a woman running
Violence against women

Women reveal vile abuse they receive while running: 'I have to hold keys between my fingers'

'It's changed our life': These modern slavery survivors are finding hope at Christmas through music
modern slavery choir
Modern slavery

'It's changed our life': These modern slavery survivors are finding hope at Christmas through music

TikTok star and teacher Shabaz Ali: 'Kids should not be going without food in this country'
shabaz ali @shabazsays
Child poverty

TikTok star and teacher Shabaz Ali: 'Kids should not be going without food in this country'

Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba: 'I want to show the world that refugees can do anything'
Refugee boxer Cindy Ngamba
Sport

Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba: 'I want to show the world that refugees can do anything'

Fuel poverty in the UK: Why can’t people pay their energy bills?
a side-on view of a gas hob which has been lit
Cost of living crisis

Fuel poverty in the UK: Why can’t people pay their energy bills?

Here's when pensioners will get the winter fuel payment in 2024
pensioner
Benefits

Here's when pensioners will get the winter fuel payment in 2024

Warm home discount: Am I eligible and how can I apply?
a close-up view of a decorative dish on a table with festive candles, pine cones and warm fairy lights in the background
Cost of living crisis

Warm home discount: Am I eligible and how can I apply?

Ukrainian mum who fled war dreams of buying Christmas tree and presents for her children
Christmas

Ukrainian mum who fled war dreams of buying Christmas tree and presents for her children

Assisted dying is a step closer to being legalised – but are the safeguards tough enough?
kim leadbeater talking about her assisted dying bill
Assisted dying

Assisted dying is a step closer to being legalised – but are the safeguards tough enough?

'This is a very difficult decision': MPs vote to take forward assisted dying bill after emotional debate
kim leadbeater
Assisted dying

'This is a very difficult decision': MPs vote to take forward assisted dying bill after emotional debate

Meet the tireless volunteers making sure children in poverty have a Christmas to remember
Christmas toy appeals

Meet the tireless volunteers making sure children in poverty have a Christmas to remember