Last year the Charity Hall of Fame launched as the UK’s (and the world’s) first Hall of Fame dedicated to civil society, recognising individuals whose extraordinary work has shaped communities, changed lives, and transformed the world around them.
After a hugely successful public nominations process that ran through summer to September 2024, an Independent Panel of charity and community people carefully selected our first ever inductees against the extensive criteria agreed last year. From historic legendary trailblazers to today’s changemakers, this remarkable group of Inductees represents a diverse range of contributions from across our categories of Philanthropy, Justice and Equality, Social Pioneers and Community Impact. Their work spans the UK and beyond.
We are delighted to introduce you to the first of the Class of 2025 Inductees!
Hall of Legends
Our Legends are historic figures whose pioneering work laid the foundations for today’s civil society. These visionary philanthropists, reformers, and campaigners made an enduring impact, shaping policy, changing attitudes, and establishing services and standards that still impact us today.
Philanthropy
Joseph Rowntree – A Quaker philanthropist who’s groundbreaking work to alleviate poverty and inequality, helped shape the modern welfare state. His family’s legacy continues through the Joseph Rowntree foundation, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, which still fund social justice work today.
Social Pioneers
Helen Brook – A trailblazer for young people’s sexual health, who founded Brook Advisory Centres, ensuring young people had access to contraception and confidential advice.
Thomas Coram – Founder of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first publicly funded institution for abandoned children, laying the groundwork for modern child welfare.
Octavia Hill – A social housing reformer and co-founder of the National Trust, ensuring affordable housing for low income families and access to green spaces for all.
Mary Seacole – A Jamaican born nurse and entrepreneur, who provided vital medical care during the Crimean War, overcoming racial discrimination to pioneer inclusive, holistic healthcare.
Justice & Equality
Josephine Butler – A fierce women’s rights activist, who led the successful campaign to repeal the Contagious Diseases Acts, protecting women from state sanctioned mistreatment.
Olaudah Equiano – A formerly enslaved man turned abolitionist and writer, whose autobiography was key in the fight to end the transatlantic slave trade.
John Howard – A prison reform pioneer, who exposed inhumane prison conditions in the 18th century and pushed for rehabilitation based justice.
Community Impact
Claudia Jones – A civil rights activist and journalist, who founded the West Indian Gazette and was the mother of Notting Hill Carnival, championing Black British culture and racial justice.
Hall of Changemakers
Our modern day community changemakers have made an outstanding impact in recent decades, leading charities, campaigns, and community movements that continue to change lives today.
Philanthropy
Sir Jack Petchey CBE (Greater London) – A champion of young people, whose Jack Petchey Foundation has invested £180m in grants, awards, and youth development. We honour Sir Jack’s legacy following his passing in 2024.
Social Pioneers
Chris Abbott (South West) – A human rights defender, whose organisation Open Briefing protects activists and campaigners facing threats worldwide.
Molly Fenton (Wales) – Young Changemaker and founder of Love Your Period, tackling period poverty, stigma, and menstrual health education.
Maggie Gordon-Walker (South East) – Founder of Mothers Uncovered, supporting new mothers’ mental health and well-being through peer-led support.
Dr Jessica Heron (Wales) – A leader in maternal mental health, whose work with Action on Postpartum Psychosis has transformed awareness, support, and policy.
Justice & Equality
Baroness May Blood (Northern Ireland) – A trade unionist, community activist, and advocate for integrated education, whose work shaped peacebuilding and equality in Northern Ireland. We honour May’s legacy following her passing in 2022.
Krista Cartlidge (South West) – CEO of MYTIME Young Carers, transforming support for young carers through education and policy change.
Yvonne Field OBE (Greater London) – A racial equity advocate, whose Ubele Initiative has empowered Black and racially minoritised communities across the UK and beyond.
Paul Stephenson OBE (South West) – A civil rights pioneer who led the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963, paving the way for the UK’s first Race Relations Act. We honour Paul’s legacy following his passing in 2024.
Community Impact
Kris Hallenga (East Midlands) – Co-founder of CoppaFeel! revolutionising breast cancer awareness. We celebrate Kris’s extraordinary legacy following her passing in 2024.
Tyler Hatwell (South East) – Founder of Traveller Pride, the UK’s first organisation supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities.
Mandy Ogunmokun (Greater London) – Founder of Treasures Foundation, supporting women recovering from addiction and prison with safe housing and rehabilitation.
Alex Winstanley (North West) – A disability inclusion champion, whose organisation, Happy Smiles Training CIC, has created opportunities and training for thousands of disabled people.
Commenting on the class of 2025, Jamie Ward-Smith MBE, Founder of Charity Hall of Fame said:
"Now more than ever we need pioneers like the 22 that I’m proud the Charity Hall of Fame is honouring this year. It’s a chance to celebrate extraordinary individuals past and present whose passion, commitment, and innovative spirit transformed society. They represent the profound impact of community founders and campaigners and I really hope elevating them will inspire future generations to follow in their footsteps."
Speaking about the first inductees, Malcom John, Chair of the Induction Panel said,
"Selecting the inaugural Class of 2025 was no easy task, as we had an incredible and diverse range of nominees. However, these inductees truly shine a light on what it means to create lasting change. Their impact is felt not just in the UK, but across the world, and we are proud to honour their legacy."
To find out more about our Class of 2025 please visit our Hall of Inductees Gallery.
Know a great changemaker? Nominate them today!
Charity Hall of Fame is here to honour those that have made our society a better place for and to inspire future generations of community changemakers. Help us to decide who gets honoured next! Our nominations process is now open all year round, so if you know someone—past or present—who deserves to be celebrated, remembered, and recognised, nominate them today via our website.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating these remarkable individuals. Their legacies inspire us all to dream bigger, push harder, and make the world a better place.
Here’s to the Class of 2025!