The annual Big Issue 100 Changemakers programme recognises 100 organisations across the UK that are creating meaningful social change in their communities. Our inclusion highlights the vital work taking place in Kingston to support unpaid carers and ensure their voices are heard.  

“In a year marked by political hostility, economic pressure and deepening inequality, many on this list are pushing back against narratives that divide,” said the Big Issue’s deputy digital editor, Sophia Alexandra Hall, who has edited the last three Changemakers editions.  

Every day, Kingston Carers Network works alongside carers to provide information, advice and opportunities to connect with others who understand their experiences. We also advocate for improvements to local services to better meet their needs.  

“This recognition belongs to our whole network – the carers who shape our work, the volunteers who give their time, our dedicated staff team and the partners across Kingston who stand alongside us,” said Kingston Carers Network CEO Rachael Stokes. “Being named a Changemaker reflects what can be achieved when local people come together to support one another. We thank our local MP Sir Ed Davey for nominating us for the award.” 

You can read more about the 2026 Changemakers on the Big Issue website 

You can view our Annual Review here: KCN Annual Review 2024-2025

During the course of the year we received over 1,000 referrals to our adult carers service and provided direct support to 1,285 adult carers via the following:

• 362 carer assessments and reviews
• 429 engagements with well-being activities
• 412 counselling sessions
• 127 peer support groups
• £654,813 secured in additional income for carers through benefits and cash
  grants
• £40,000 distributed in discretionary payments

Our Young Carers Project (YCP) directly supported 835 young carers and offered 2,419 engagement opportunities through the provision of the following:

• 28 weekly drop-in sessions for young carers aged 5-11 years
• 26 weekly youth club sessions for 11-18 year olds
• 70 holiday respite activities
• 12 school lunchtime & breakfast clubs
• 129 young carers benefited from targeted family support
• 15 young carers received 182 hours of one-to-one mentoring support 

Thank you to our fabulous team of staff, sessional workers, volunteers and trustees, as well as the to many partnerships within Kingston and beyond that make our work possible. 

Together with Carers UK and more than 50 organisations from across the country, Kingston Carers’ Network has joined the Carer Poverty Coalition in writing to the Government ahead of the Autumn Budget, calling for urgent action to resolve the ongoing issue of Carer’s Allowance overpayments.

While we welcome the Government’s decision to commission the Independent Review of Carer’s Allowance, led by Liz Sayce OBE, unpaid carers continue to face financial hardship and anxiety caused by systemic failures within the benefits system. Overpayment issues have left many carers struggling with debts that could have been avoided through clearer guidance, better communication, and more effective DWP processes.

In this joint open letter, we are calling on the Government to ensure the Independent Review delivers three vital outcomes:

• Clear, transparent information so carers can make informed decisions about work and earnings

• Reformed DWP processes to prevent overpayments caused by administrative failings

• The writing off of overpayment debts where carers were not at fault or were affected by systemic errors

We are urging the Government to use the Autumn Budget to invest in delivering all three outcomes without delay. After years of avoidable hardship, this is a crucial opportunity to show that carers are valued, fix a broken system, and deliver justice for unpaid carers who have borne the cost of these failings for far too long.

👉 Read our open letter to the Government here