Disability and illness often goes unseen, but no one has to suffer alone. These Changemakers offer a helping hand for anyone who might be struggling.
Gayle Pledger
Gayle Pledger is the parent of a child with cystic fibrosis (CF). She helped lead a UK-wide campaign for access to lifesaving – but unaffordable – new treatments that were the subject of a years-long battle between the NHS and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. It ultimately led to access for all UK CF patients to the medicine, at a price the NHS could afford.
What is your big issue and how are you trying to tackle it?
For me the big issue is the deadly injustice caused by a pharmaceutical company that chooses to put excessive profits before the lives of thousands of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients around the world, many of whom are children that won’t reach adulthood without this treatment. After years of campaigning in the UK to gain access to Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ extortionately priced CF drugs, and seeing my own daughter’s life transformed, I co-founded grassroots global campaign group, Vertex Save Us (which has thousands of supporters from more than 60 countries) to push for equitable access to these treatments. We launched the ‘Right to Breathe’ campaign in 2023 after joining forces with UK patient-led organisation Just Treatment, where I am now part of the team. I spend my time connecting with CF families, advocates and experts from around the world, and I support families in calling out and challenging Vertex’s ruthless, profit-driven behaviour which is blocking access and denying them or their loved ones the right to life.
What’s the one thing you want people to know about your work?
My work is all about equality, empowerment and ultimately, it’s about saving lives. This campaign is proof that by bringing people together in the face of inevitable tragedy, devastation and loss, and giving them the right tools and support, they actually have tremendous power and the capacity to speak out, be heard and force change. I am very lucky to have met so many incredible, strong and determined CF family members – our global CF community is truly amazing!
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Do you have any memorable moments from 2024?
There are many moments that stand out in 2024, like meeting up with other CF mums to attend the European and North American CF conferences, or delivering a petition with more than 142,000 signatures to Vertex’s doorstep in Boston, accompanied by 80-plus CF clinicians and advocates, or seeing Hollywood actress Glenn Close make a statement about the importance of access to innovative medicines at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony in LA, at our request. But the real highlight of the year is always hearing that a country has gained access to this treatment because of the efforts of the CF families involved in this campaign. Nothing can beat seeing these transformational drugs in the hands of children and patients for the first time, and the sense of relief and peace of mind that brings, knowing that their futures are bright.
What are your plans for 2025?
We have lots of ideas and plans for 2025 – although that would be telling! No doubt, I’ll be engaging with many more CF families that have been left without access to the lifesaving drugs that they desperately need. As always, their voices will be the most important ones in the room when it comes to steering the campaign and planning our next steps to ensuring access to lifesaving drugs for every CF patient, everywhere, regardless of wealth or geography.
Young Changemaker Charlotte R Faulconbridge, 25, is a bestselling author, award-winning poet, spoken word artist, a TEDx presenter and a finalist for the BBC’s Make a Difference Award. She founded Inclusive Creatives, an online space that shines a light on “unacknowledged talent in the disabled community”. Due to birth complications, Faulconbridge was born mute and relied on sign language as a child. Poetry has enabled her to verbally express herself. Now, she gives other people “a voice through creativity” which is a vital tool for self-expression. Her nominator writes: “We need more people like Charlotte in the world to show that whatever barriers we may face, we can overcome them.”
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Paula Peters, Disabled People Against Cuts
Paula Peters is a disabled activist who works every day to fight for the rights of disabled people. She is a member of DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts) and puts all of her energies into having the rights of disabled people acknowledged and championed. Her compassion, courage and determination for her work is well known by the disabled community. Upon finding out she was a 2025 Big Issue Changemaker, Peters said: “I never do anything for recognition; it’s always been the movement that brings change in the community for social justice.”
Marcus Skeet, aka Hull Boy
Nominated by Russ Cook, aka Hardest Geezer
In April 2024, Marcus Skeet (aka Hull Boy) ran one mile a day, raising more than £7,000 for mental health charity Mind UK. The teenager completed the challenge in memory of his friend who “lost their battle with mental health”. Marcus went on to run his first marathon in September 2024. Raising money again for Mind, he was joined by Cook on the final mile. Skeet smashed his original £5,000 fundraising goal, raising more than £19,000.
ForThe100
ForThe100 is a campaign group made up of bereaved families fighting to force universities to have a legal duty of care over their students. Suicide is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 35 in the UK. This is a public health crisis that disproportionately affects students. Each year 100 university students are lost to suicide. ForThe100 was nominated by someone who lost their sibling to suicide. They wrote: “They’re doing amazing work and I would love them to be recognised for their dedication to the prevention of future deaths.”
Tŷ Hafan
Nominated by Ruth Jones, co-creator of Gavin and Stacey
This children’s hospice provides comfort, care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their loved ones. “It’s not too far from Barry,” Jones told Big Issue. “It provides care for children who are not in a good place. And it’s got such a beautiful atmosphere; it’s a really joyous place. I’ve been there a few times. I’ve watched the staff pantomime and things that they do for kids, but they struggle because they rely on donations.” Jenna Lewis, director of income generation, told Big Issue, “We are thrilled to receive this recognition. No parent ever imagines that their child’s life will be short. Sadly, this is the reality facing thousands of families in Wales. We are determined to make sure that no family has to face this alone.”
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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.
Use of synthetic opioids such as nitazines is on the rise in the UK, and addiction affects homeless people disproportionately. Caroline Copeland (main image) has been nominated for her work tracking the lives lost to this crisis that may otherwise have gone unrecorded. Her work is done on a shoestring with a team of students at King’s College London. In February 2024, a paper by Copeland warned of nitazenes fuelling a second wave of the UK’s drug death crisis. “Without concerted action, nitazenes could devastate communities of people who use a range of drugs,” the paper, published in The Lancet, warned.
Down the Lens
Emily (left) and Sophie
Sisters Sophie and Emily Potter featured in Big Issue’s Learning Disabilities Week special in 2024. Together they set up a company called Down the Lens, which provides services for children and adults living with learning disabilities, neurodiversity and complex needs. “It’s drama therapy for adults,” Emily told us. “My dream is to get a space and do workshops.” Sophie’s dream is to perform on stage with Emily, showing how great her life has been growing up with that extra sparkly chromosome, Down’s syndrome.
My Life My Choice
Being listened to is one thing, being taken seriously is another. Oxfordshire charity My Life My Choice (MLMC) is an advocacy organisation led by and for adults with learning disabilities. The charity sets a progressive model exemplifying true inclusion as all of its trustees have a learning disability. Five consultants with learning disabilities are also paid to advise on all MLMC’s projects, ensuring their lived experience guides all decision making.
Based in Nottingham, Vets in the Community provides free veterinary care to pets belonging to vulnerably housed people. Set up in 2012, the mobile clinic runs weekly, alternating between two locations, and is staffed by veterinary students from Nottingham and Nottingham Trent Universities. Volunteers say owners often “want to chat”, as well as have their pet treated, so it’s a way for people to feel supported and seen.
