'This is definitely a pinch-me moment': Big Issue's Changemakers of 2025 react to being honoured

Last week’s Big Issue celebrated the 100 Big Issue Changemakers of 2025 – and created waves of positivity from those nominated and beyond. The response is a powerful reminder that even in the most challenging times, good things are happening all around us.

Being the Change

All of our Changemakers were nominated by Big Issue readers – including new Big Issue ambassador, actor Rose Williams. When the 2025 cohort was announced, Williams went to visit her nominee and invited us along. Francklin Evagle, founder of Katakata in Brixton, and his team offered us the warmest of welcomes.

“I’m here to introduce Big Issue in person to the amazing Francklin Evagle, who is the founder of this amazing, beautiful space, Katakata – which is a cafe, a community hub, and becomes a food bank once a week,” Williams said. “There’s open mic nights, poetry nights, music nights. It’s a very non-judgmental, inclusive space which serves healthy, gluten-free crepes, juices, teas. I love it.”

It’s easy to see why. Katakata is a place of calmness, beauty and incredible food – the vegetarian galettes were incredible. “I’m so proud – and not just for me, but the whole community,” Evagle said. “We were so excited and it was such a big surprise when Rose told us she was nominating us. I’m very overwhelmed but we will be celebrating. This will help us a lot.”

Evagle talked us through the history of Katakata since it was incorporated in 2015. It focuses a lot on helping the deaf community – offering training and jobs, as well as building confidence and employability skills. “We are trying to get more women into the trade, more disabled people into work – we are always pushing things forward,” he said. “During the journey of Katakata, I became disabled myself when I lost my sight. So now I have a better understanding of the community we serve. It’s good food in a safe space. There is a big need for places like this. Being a Big Issue Changemaker will help us meet the needs of this community.”

Aneysha Minocha, Quantaco

It’s an honour to have been chosen as one of the Big Issue’s Top 100 Changemakers for the work of my team at Quantaco – including Hugo Seixas, Edison Konesha and Ankita Patil AMEI – on accelerating and simplifying the decarbonising of commercial and public sector property portfolios. Our climate emergency is real and we need to hurry up with reducing our carbon emissions.

Mikkel Juel Iversen, Under One Sky

A beyond Big thank you for making me part of your Top 10 Changemakers within Housing and Homelessness. This morning I went to get a copy from friend, collaborator and Big Issue seller André Rostant and was lucky Big Issue sales co-ordinator Allan was there too.

Jack Murley, The Jack Murley Sports Show

This is one of those things that is surreal to write, but I’ve been named as one of Big Issue’s 100 UK Changemakers of 2025 for the work we do telling the stories of LGBTQ+ sportspeople. To say it’s unexpected is an understatement, and to be on a list with individuals tackling everything from knife crime to food poverty makes me feel very unworthy – because honestly, they’re doing amazing work, and I just get to natter with fantastic people in sport every week. However, it’s an absolute privilege to be recognised in this way. It means everything, so thank you.

Find the rest of the Changemakers series on the links below and pick up the magazine from your local Big Issue vendor.

• Introducing the Big Issue Changemakers of 2025
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Housing and homelessness
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Communities and equality
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Learning and employment
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Culture and sport
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Media and campaigns
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Politics and activism
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Environment and climate
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Health and disability
• Big Issue’s Changemakers of 2025: Food and nutrition

Euella Jackson, Rising Arts Agency

I’m really excited that I have been chosen to be one of the 2025 Big Issue Changemakers for Culture and Sport. Eeek! This is definitely a pinch-me moment, and I’m so grateful to whoever nominated me and the Big Issue team for selecting me as one of the category’s 10 winners for our work with Rising Arts Agency. Even after all these years of working in the culture sector, I still felt like, ‘Who, me? Really?’ But after taking some time to reflect, I have always strived to create work that pours into others and makes people give a shit. It feels good to be recognised.

Down the Lens, sisters Emily and Sophie 

Sophie and I (Emily), are over the moon to have been voted by the public as a Big Issue Changemaker 2025. To be recognised for all of the work we do, for and with children and adults living with learning disabilities and additional complex needs is truly so rewarding, thank you. Our dream has always been to combine our bonkers but creative (me) and incredibly sparkly (Sophie) selves together, so we can provide workshops, events and projects for our favourite people in communities all over the UK. So, to be recognised, acknowledged and supported by you, fills our hearts (and cocktail glasses) to the brim!

Charlotte R Faulconbridge, Inclusive Creatives

Sharing my story and advocating for others is my purpose in this life, so any recognition towards this means the absolute world to me as it only ever raises more awareness. 2025 has been rough so far as I’m in the depths of recovering from an icky health relapse, but receiving this news has shone a much-needed light into my life.

Student Action for Refugees, University of Warwick

We’re beyond excited that Warwick STAR has been named one of Big Issue’s 100 Changemakers! This recognition puts us alongside incredible organisations like Refugee Education UK and so many others making a real difference. It’s a huge moment for us, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing STAR community! Let’s keep pushing for a more welcoming, inclusive world.

Matt Staniek, Save Windermere campaign

It’s amazing to be acknowledged as a Big Issue Changemaker, but the campaign wouldn’t be where it is today without my incredible partner Amanda, who has supported me from the very beginning. And the unbelievable Finn Pattinson, whose dedication has helped the campaign reach heights we never thought possible. While we take a moment to celebrate, it does not detract from the ultimate goal: Labour must commit to fully ending sewage pollution in England’s largest lake, Windermere, once and for all.

Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice

We’re thrilled that Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice has been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Changemakers, and doubly thrilled to have been nominated by Gavin And Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones.

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