Isabella McRae
Isabella McRae is a senior reporter and feature writer at The Big Issue. She reports on a wide range of issues across social affairs and culture. Isabella was awarded Best News Story at the Anti-Slavery Day Awards in 2025. She was also 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. Get in touch with Isabella through isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com
Meet the dads who started a podcast about their experiences raising autistic children
The hosts of Autism Dadcast, Gaz Hitchin (left) and Andy Williams (right).
SEND

Meet the dads who started a podcast about their experiences raising autistic children

I left teaching because I felt eaten up by guilt that I couldn't help SEND children like my own
Sara and her daughter Ava.
SEND

I left teaching because I felt eaten up by guilt that I couldn't help SEND children like my own

My children were out of school for more than a year as we fought to get them SEND support
Elizabeth Padilla
SEND

My children were out of school for more than a year as we fought to get them SEND support

Labour says it wants to end the need for food banks. Is there any way it can succeed?
Peeblesshire Foodbank in the Trussell network.
Food banks

Labour says it wants to end the need for food banks. Is there any way it can succeed?

Mainstream school was right for my daughter. SEND changes could cause more harm than good
Sharon Smith and daughter Tanzie.
SEND

Mainstream school was right for my daughter. SEND changes could cause more harm than good

My son is deaf and blind – but it was months of fighting before he got SEND support
Kimberly Hind and son Harvey
SEND

My son is deaf and blind – but it was months of fighting before he got SEND support

Families face a bitter fight for SEND support in the UK: 'It nearly killed us emotionally and financially'
Big Issue has spoken to a number of families with children with SEND who have struggled to navigate the system.
SEND

Families face a bitter fight for SEND support in the UK: 'It nearly killed us emotionally and financially'

Rosie Jones: 'I thought I couldn't be disabled and gay – I'd never seen a gay disabled person'
Comedian Rosie Jones
Comedy

Rosie Jones: 'I thought I couldn't be disabled and gay – I'd never seen a gay disabled person'

Get your copy of Big Issue's brilliant book of interviews with inspirational women in paperback
Letter to My Younger Self: Inspirational Women
Big Issue

Get your copy of Big Issue's brilliant book of interviews with inspirational women in paperback

Swooning over Heathcliff? Let’s not forget, he’s a really terrible landlord
Film

Swooning over Heathcliff? Let’s not forget, he’s a really terrible landlord

BAFTA nominee Posy Sterling: 'There was a fire in me when I learned what women go through'
Posy Sterling
Film

BAFTA nominee Posy Sterling: 'There was a fire in me when I learned what women go through'

Disabled people appointed to co-produce Timms review of PIP: 'This opportunity cannot be wasted'
stephen timms
Disability benefits

Disabled people appointed to co-produce Timms review of PIP: 'This opportunity cannot be wasted'