In uncertain times, it’s good to know that there are campaigners out there working to ensure everyone is treated fairly – like these Changemakers.
Stephen Kinsella, Law for Change
Since its launch in 2023, Law for Change has backed over 50 public interest cases holding public bodies and institutions to account on employment rights, environmental protections, access to public services and challenging discrimination faced by marginalised groups. Stephen Kinsella co-founded Law for Change, alongside David Graham (Big Issue Changemaker 2024), and this year was awarded a Legal Heroes Award, which recognises the “remarkable contributions of solicitors whose work has transcended the bounds of their profession” and made “a lasting impact” on the lives of others and society.
What is your big issue and how are you trying to tackle it?
My main concern at the moment is that we seem to be very good at passing laws in the UK but not at enforcing them, such as laws that should protect our environment and give people decent/reliable public services, protect them from discrimination and exploitation etc. Our Law for Change campaign is trying to do its bit to make the state do a better job for us all as citizens.
What’s the one thing you want people to know about your work?
That change is possible and we don’t have to simply put up with a failing society.
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Stephen Kinsella
Do you have any memorable moments from 2024?
The Supreme Court ruling in the Finch case last summer, which we funded, and which effectively stopped environmentally harmful fracking in the UK was a highlight. As was the ruling against the University of Oxford for having so many teaching staff on exploitative “zero hours” contracts.
What are your plans for 2025?
Basically more of the same, as we have attracted more funding so can expand the number of cases we support and look at other areas – for instance, we are concerned that there are very few prosecutions for corporate manslaughter and are looking at ways to challenge that.
Care Leavers National Movement
CLNM Conference, 2024
The Care Leavers National Movement (CLNM) is a unique, user-led initiative made up of young care leavers from Local House Projects across England and Scotland. They challenge and influence leaving care services on a local and national level to improve outcomes for young people leaving care across the country. Their nominator wrote: “CLNM’s focus is on positive achievements, raising expectations and inspiring young people and support services to do their best for young people. Being part of CLNM enables young people to access a range of opportunities that they might not otherwise experience.”
Matthew Torbitt
Matthew Torbitt has personal experience of homelessness and the criminal justice system. He has consistently advocated for the end of homelessness and criminal justice reform, highlighting how these issues are deeply intertwined. His nominator wrote: “Matthew’s personal journey and public platform have brought attention to these critical social issues. His unique perspective, informed by personal experience, provides valuable insights into tackling these problems in contemporary Britain.”
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Find the rest of the Changemakers series on the links below and pick up the magazine from your local Big Issue vendor.
As a result of her own mixed experience of shared ownership, Sue Phillips has campaigned selflessly for better outcomes for other shared owners. She launched a website, Shared Ownership Resources, in 2021 to provide independent, impartial information and advice. She campaigns for reform to ensure that shared ownership delivers what it promises: affordability and a realistic pathway to home ownership. Despite having almost no financial resources, Phillips has achieved significant successes. Her nominator highlighted that she has a “passion for what she is doing” on behalf of shared owners and has the “tenacity and skills” to make change happen.
Mick McAteer
Described by his nominator as an “unsung consumer champion”, Mick McAteer is a campaigner for economic and social justice. He is the founder and co-director of The Financial Inclusion Centre, a UK not-for-profit policy and research group, whose mission is to promote financial markets that work for society. McAteer is also chair of the anti-poverty charity Z2K, of non-profit Registry Trust Ltd (RTL), and deputy chair of the General Consumer Council of Northern Ireland. His nominator said: “Mick’s work advocating for financial inclusion is crucial in addressing one of the most pressing yet under-discussed issues in the country.”
Janis Santos
Janice Santos, Kinship
Janice Santos is a kinship carer. She is raising her grandchildren, while also being a support worker and campaigner for the charity Kinship. In Newcastle and the surrounding areas she has helped set up many support groups for kinship carers to attend both in person and virtually, built trusting relationships with local authorities to ensure they understand the needs of kinship families. Her nominator wrote, “If Janice can use her voice to make change, she will.”
Christian Weaver
Barrister Christian Weaver is an activist lawyer looking to change the world from inside and outside of the courtroom. Weaver represented the family of Awaab Ishak at his inquest, helping turn the Rochdale toddler’s tragic death from damp and mould into a legacy that will prevent other families from experiencing the same loss. Outside of the courtroom, Weaver has also penned two books explaining the law to the layman. The Law in 60 Seconds: A Pocket Guide to Your Rights followed a successful online video series of the same name. Your Right to Protest was published last August, designed to stick in your back pocket if you’re on your way to take a stand.
Katy Watts
Katy Watts is a solicitor at the forefront of defending human rights in the UK. She led Liberty’s landmark legal case against the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. In May 2024, the High Court ruled that the government acted unlawfully in creating the legislation which gave the police “almost unlimited” powers to restrict protests. At Liberty, her work focuses on technology, privacy and protest. Watts joined Liberty in order to be part of a multidisciplinary organisation protecting human rights and holding the government to account, which she has successfully done.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation
Labour exploitation is the abuse of people in the workplace for profit, and Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) is working to end this. By challenging and transforming the systems and structures that make workers vulnerable to abuse, they’re striving for a world free from all forms of labour exploitation, including forced labour and human trafficking. They have provided employment training to migrant domestic workers that helped equip them to fight modern slavery and labour exploitation against abusive employers. FLEX works to end labour exploitation by carrying out research, influencing policy, engaging businesses, running training programmes, and working together with workers and other organisations.
Welsh Youth Parliament
The Welsh Youth Parliament gives young people ages 11-17 the opportunity to have their say on issues that matter to them. Made up of 60 young people from across Wales, 40 are voted for in an election, while the remaining 20 are elected from partner organisations. Working with specialist partner organisations means the parliament is able to reach and support a diverse representation of young people, including people with learning difficulties and life-limiting illnesses, and young people living in rural areas and growing up with lower socio-economic backgrounds. Their nominator wrote that the organisation, “supports a diverse range of young people in Wales to have a voice in democracy and politics. It also helps them view politics as a vehicle for positive change.”
