Big Issue names its Top 100 Changemakers doing good for society in 2025

Big Issue has today (Monday 27 January) published its Top 100 Changemakers for 2025 – a list of notable activists, agitators and grassroots figureheads making an impact on society, as nominated by its readers.

This year’s Changemakers, which is the sixth since Big Issue first published their Top 100 in 2019, include people and organisations who have raised millions for charity, supported people living in extreme poverty, and fought and won for changes to the law.

Barrister Christian Weaver is amongst those on this year’s list, after he represented the family of Awaab Ishak during the inquest that changed housing nationally. ‘Awaab’s Law’, which legally demands landlords act fast to fix hazards such as damp and mould, has already been introduced to the social housing sector, with the Labour government looking to extend it to private rented properties through the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Celebrity readers of the Big Issue have also put forward their picks, including actor Ruth Jones. The Gavin & Stacey actor championed children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan, which is based in her alter ego Nessa’s home of Barry Island.

Steven Frayne – the magician previously known as Dynamo – nominated 11-year-old Travis Robinson from his hometown of Bradford, who was inspired by an interaction with a local homeless man to sell his toys to fund the start-up of a new food bank. Frayne said: “Travis is so great – you if you meet him, he’s very shy. He’s not someone who’s helped because he wants people to know that he’s helped someone. He did it because it was the right thing to do.”

Actor Rose Williams, best known for her starring role in ITV period drama Sanditon, kicked off her new role as an official Big Issue ambassador by putting forward Francklin Evagle, the owner of community hub KataKata in Brixton. When translated into Evagle’s native Cameroonian dialect of Doula, KataKata roughly means a “creative approach to difficulty”, and everything at the hub is informed by this approach, with second-hand furniture, donations, and a sustainably sourced menu.

Big Issue partner Citroën has donated a free electric van to one Changemaker, Matthew’s House, a charity offering support for people struggling with homelessness, mental health and addiction issues in Swansea. They offer a pay-as-you-feel cafe, dignity packs, shower and laundry facilities, one-to-one advocacy support, a smartphone app signposting to 150+ support services in the city, and a community choir.

Other Changemakers include Maya Amangeldiyeva, who continued to run her life-changing food bank in Herne Bay after a terrifying assault and attempted arson attack; Blue Spirit Sailing, which takes young people experiencing a mental health challenge in the North East sailing; Aneysha Minocha, the inventor striving to decarbonise buildings across the world; and refugee football team Fair Shot FC.

Paul McNamee, Editor of the Big Issue, said: “Against the backdrop of a madder, more divisive world, 2025’s Big Issue Changemakers stand out for their selfless pursuit of justice and kindness for others.

“This year’s list includes lawyers, inventors, entrepreneurs, footballers, sailors, singers, community leaders – from Changemakers who have changed UK law, to Changemakers who have changed things on their street corner. We are even celebrating our youngest ever Changemaker in 11-year-old marvel Travis, who fittingly hails from this year’s UK City of Culture, Bradford.

“And for the first time ever, our partner Citroën have generously donated an electric van that will enable one of our most impressive Changemakers – the brilliant Matthew’s House in Swansea – to make even more change in their community. A big thank you to Citroën for their generosity.”

Big Issue’s Changemakers 2025 Special is on sale from today (Monday 27 January). Buy from your local vendor or subscribe on bigissue.com.