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Isabella McRae

@isabellamcrae.bsky.social
2.3K followers 391 following 115 posts

Senior reporter at the Big Issue | Get in touch with me at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com

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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
I'm looking to chat with people who work in fashion offices in the UK about working conditions/ toxic bosses, ahead of the release of Devil Wears Prada 2. Deadline is ASAP. My email is in my bio if anyone can help! #journorequest
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Harvey is a deafblind four-year-old. He suffered such distress at nursery that his mum Kimberly had to quit work to look after him at home. It took over 18 months of fighting to secure a placement at a specialist school. Kimberly fears the trauma could last forever www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
My son is deaf and blind – but it took months to get SEND support
Kimberly Hind shares her experience of navigating the SEND system – and the emotional toll it took on her son Harvey and family
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
I've spent the last few weeks speaking with families and experts about the state of the special education system. There are children missing out on years of education because there's not enough provision to support them. Others are "traumatised" in school www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Families face a bitter fight for SEND support: 'It nearly killed us'
Big Issue has spoken to seven families about their fights for educational support for their disabled children, as the government prepares to announce plans to overhaul the system.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
"Are you Heathcliffing Cornwall?" may be one of my favourite quotes ever to use in an article www.bigissue.com/culture/film...
bigissue.com
Wuthering Heights: Heathcliff is just a really terrible landlord
The new Wuthering Heights adaptation is in cinemas. Will the new film portray Heathcliff as a hearthrob or the cruel landlord of the novel?
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
I got a sneak peak of the new Bridgerton series... to prep for this lovely chat with its new star Yerin Ha. If you don't already know her name, you probably will do soon ✨ www.bigissue.com/culture/tv/b...
bigissue.com
Bridgerton star Yerin Ha: 'Fame scares me. I want to stay grounded'
New Bridgerton leading lady Yerin Ha speaks to the Big Issue about her hopes and fears as the fourth season is set to drop.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
It was an absolute pleasure to interview Strictly star Johannes Radebe. He spoke with beautiful honesty about his life – growing up with homophobic bullying, facing homelessness as a young man, and discovering the glittering world of dance www.bigissue.com/culture/stri...
bigissue.com
Johannes Radebe: 'As long as my body will allow, I will do Strictly'
Strictly's Johannes Radebe speaks to the Big Issue about his life – from growing up in a township in South Africa, to facing homophobic bullying, grief and homelessness, and finding joy in dance.
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Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Since it's starter pack season again, here's some reporters who report on social affairs, poverty, public services etc. Some of them post here more than others go.bsky.app/Hp9iayA
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I wrote about my journey to actually, kind of, somehow, enjoying running! www.bigissue.com/life/health/...
bigissue.com
How I finally fell in love with running after years of avoiding exercise
Big Issue reporter Isabella McRae thought running wasn't for her. After a nudge from an app, she set herself a goal which changed everything.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
I compiled the content for this health and fitness special and it was a total pleasure 🏃‍♀️ Buy it! Support our vendors in the cold and get tips from athletes, sleep experts and an 80-year-old trainer 💪 You’ll also find out how I went from hating exercise to running a 10K and kind of enjoying it?!
Big Issue cover showing woman in green exercise gear and the words: ‘Let’s get physical!’
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
“These children have fled, many of them unaccompanied and separated from their families, and are moving through the desert on their own for hundreds of kilometres on foot” I spoke to Kieran King from @warchilduk.bsky.social about the "campaign of terror" in Sudan www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Children recruited as soldiers and facing 'brutal' sexual violence in Sudan war
Keiran King, head of humanitarian at War Child, gives the Big Issue a rare on-the-ground insight amid war in Sudan.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
I met an AI pet! (Yes, those exist now). Read about my experiences 👇
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David Gunkel @davidgunkel.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
I was interviewed for and quoted in this article on #AI pets by @isabellamcrae.bsky.social and published in @bigissue.com www.bigissue.com/life/health/...
bigissue.com
Are AI pets one more step towards a dystopian future?
Moflin is an AI pet which has erupted in popularity in Japan. It has now launched in the UK and US, but will it have the same success?
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Great to commission this from @lucywebster.bsky.social – an extract from her book The View From Down Here which is out in paperback today. www.bigissue.com/opinion/disa...
bigissue.com
This is how it feels to be a disabled woman desexualised by the world
In her book The View From Down Here, Lucy Webster argues that for disabled women, there is an additional battle to be seen as women at all.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Liquid drips through the walls. Black mould creeps around the windows towards my bed. I hear screaming from downstairs. Rodents sneak out of the floorboards. A strange man lets himself into my home unasked. Is this a haunted house or my first London flat? Find out: www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
bigissue.com
Haunted houses are a classic horror trope – but are they scarier than landlords?
Haunted houses have appeared in Gothic literature and horror films for centuries. We look into how the trope has changed in the modern day.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Dania, 16, is trapped in Gaza and separated from her mother – who is a UK resident through marriage. Dania has been awarded a scholarship to a British boarding school - renewing hope that they might be reunited. But UK government policy is blocking this www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Teen scholar trapped in Gaza after being blocked from joining her mum in UK
Dania Alafranji and her mother been separated by the war in Gaza and the UK government policy is blocking them from being reunited.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
“Landlords can be worse than poltergeists. I would rather live in a haunted house than with a dodgy landlord.” Meet the people who live in haunted houses – and the ghost hunters who track them down 👻 www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
bigissue.com
This is what it's really like living in a haunted house
Haunted houses often stay on the market for longer and sell at a cheaper price than other homes, but would you dare tread on a ghost's territory?
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Greg Barradale @gregbarradale.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Shocking and eye-opening @bigissue.com story from @isabellamcrae.bsky.social Whose lives - and deaths - matter? www.bigissue.com/life/health/...
bigissue.com
People with learning disabilities are dying 20 years early
The latest LeDeR report found that nearly four in 10 deaths of people with a learning disability in 2023 were ‘avoidable’.
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Big Issue @bigissue.com · 17/10/2025
Hi 👋 It’s @isabellamcrae.bsky.social, senior reporter at the Big Issue here. This week, we have published a series of articles about abortion rights in the UK 🪧 Abortion is one step closer to decriminalisation in England and Wales, but are rights still at risk? www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Abortion is close to decriminalisation. But how quickly can rights be rolled back?
More than 100 women are believed to have been arrested on suspicion of abortion over the last five years in England and Wales.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
There are pregnancy advice centres across the UK which claim to offer ethical, impartial services. But some are actively misinforming women about abortion. Some women have been left "traumatised". I've been investigating this phenomenon. Read it here ⬇️ www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
What is the truth about crisis pregnancy centres in the UK?
Crisis pregnancy centres which have been known to “misinform” women around abortion have become increasingly “professionalised” in the UK.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
I've spent a few months working on a series of articles on abortion rights in the UK. The first piece is out today. Abortion is a step closer to decriminalisation in England and Wales, but with the rise of right-wing rhetoric, are rights still at risk? www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Abortion is close to decriminalisation. But how quickly can rights be rolled back?
More than 100 women are believed to have been arrested on suspicion of abortion over the last five years in England and Wales.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
In honour of Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl coming out today, I've been speaking to 'showgirls' in Britain about the glamour of their world 💃 www.bigissue.com/culture/musi...
bigissue.com
Is the life of a showgirl as glamorous as Taylor Swift makes it seem?
Ahead of the release of Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl, the Big Issue spoke to British 'showgirls' about the glamour of their world.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
I spent a wonderful few hours at this family's home where interior designers were transforming a three-year-old girl's bedroom. The results were pretty incredible and the reaction was even better: www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
bigissue.com
This 'life-changing' project is transforming the bedrooms of children living in poverty
Children living in poverty in London are having their bedrooms transformed through this project run by The Childhood Trust.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
I adored visiting this school in East London and meeting these kids who made me feel very hopeful about the future! They're on a mission to raise £18,000 for homelessness charities, and they're learning a huge amount in the process. www.bigissue.com/news/activis...
bigissue.com
Meet the primary school children with big ideas to end homelessness
These children are trying to raise £18,000 for homelessness charities, an amount they have calculated would help one person off the streets.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
"I was an asylum seeker, and when I got to university, it changed everything. I have hope for the future" I spoke with students and experts about the potential dangers of the Home Office's plans to crack down on international students claiming asylum www.bigissue.com/news/interna...
bigissue.com
International students could be put in 'danger' by Home Office crackdown on asylum claims
The Home Office has pledged to crack down on the number of students overstaying their visa after graduating
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
A lovely surprise to come back from annual leave to find out a story I did on cuckooing has been shortlisted for best news story at the Anti-Slavery Day Awards! Thank you to the Human Trafficking Foundation www.humantraffickingfoundation.org/antislavery-... www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Gangs are taking over vulnerable people's homes and using them as drug dens
The Big Issue shadowed the police officers trying to tackle cuckooing in Camden and Islington, where they have brought down the numbers.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Glasgow City Council confirmed to me it had known this was a dangerous building for years. But costs and the fact the building was listed led to delays. Its collapse in July left residents homeless, their lives uprooted, and feeling lucky that no one was hurt www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
bigissue.com
Tenants left homeless with no possessions after unsafe building collapses
Glasgow council declared it a dangerous building, but delays and costs meant it was still standing in July 2025 – until its collapse.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Are you a first time buyer with a Lifetime ISA (LISA) or Help to Buy ISA facing challenges? Are you struggling to find a place to live because the cap on properties hasn't gone up with house prices? I want to hear from you for a piece for the Big Issue! #journorequest
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
I interviewed MP @rachaelmaskell.bsky.social about her suspension from Labour, her fear's for the party's future and what needs to change to move the country in a positive direction www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
bigissue.com
Rachael Maskell: 'If Labour doesn't change, I fear where this country is headed'
Rachael Maskell speaks to the Big Issue about losing the Labour whip, and why she stands by her decision to rebel against the welfare cuts.
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The NHSA @thenhsa.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
Thanks to @isabellamcrae.bsky.social for the opportunity of a @bigissue.com comment piece, authored by @lakenutrition.bsky.social and other Nutrition North members - you can read about why it's harder to be healthier in the North at www.bigissue.com/opinion/heal...
bigissue.com
It's harder to be healthy if you live in the North of England
Professor Amelia Lake, dietitian and public health nutritionist at Teesside University, writes about health inequalities facing the North.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Misan Harriman's career was catapulted after his photographs of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations caught widespread attention. He became the first black man to shoot the cover of British Vogue. It was powerful to speak to him about protest and resistance www.bigissue.com/news/activis...
bigissue.com
Photographer Misan Harriman on Black Lives Matter, Gaza and finding hope in protest
Renowned photographer Misan Harriman has unveiled his first solo exhibition 'The Purpose of Light' featuring images of protest and resistance.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
In the aftermath of the vote on the welfare bill last night, I spoke to the BBC's Access All podcast ‪about what it means going forward for disabled people – and the devastating impact this last year of uncertainty has had www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Access All: Disability News and Mental Health - Controversial benefits change passes Commons - BBC Sounds
Access All: MPs vote in controversial benefits change
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Marion Davis @mariondavis.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
Amazing campaign. We can't rely on leaders, only people can make the changes needed happen.🔻
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
I wrote about the extraordinary campaign that was Make Poverty History. Hundreds of thousands of people across the UK joined the calls to end poverty 20 years ago – so what would it take for that to happen again? www.bigissue.com/news/activis...
bigissue.com
Whatever happened to Make Poverty History?
Make Poverty History blazed a trail in reducing poverty across the world. But now progress is heading backwards so where do we go from here?
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Paula Barker MP @paulabarkermp.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
I spoke to @isabellamcrae.bsky.social from the @bigissue.com about why I could not vote for the Welfare Bill last night 👇 www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/why-labour-mps-voted-against-disability-benefit-cuts/
bigissue.com
Here's why 49 rebel Labour MPs voted against the government's welfare bill
Rebel Labour MPs explain to the Big Issue why they could not "in good conscience" vote for the disability benefit cuts in the welfare bill.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
This is an incredible feat. Ahmed is a 29-year-old teacher living in Gaza who, despite the horror his own family faced, decided he had to do something to help children. He set up schools in tents and his team now teach 3,000 kids – giving them hope beyond conflict www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Thousands of children find hope in tent schools in Gaza
Teacher Ahmed Abu Riziq decided he wanted to help children in Gaza, so he set up schools in tents. They try to make the children smile.
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Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
The government argues its PIP cuts won't hit as many people as feared because applicants will appeal against rejections But DWP figures show a ten-month average wait for appeals. And that's before demand rises with the cuts By me, for Big Issue: www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Majority of PIP claimants with heart disease, arthritis and Crohn's at risk of cuts
DWP data obtained by Big Issue shows that the majority of people with heart failure, HIV and arthritis are at risk of losing their benefits.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
This week's Big Issue is very special. It was created entirely by a group of teenagers. It was lovely to be so involved in this project – to hear their stories and dreams and help make that a reality in the magazine. www.bigissue.com/opinion/youn...
bigissue.com
The story behind our special edition created entirely by young people
This is the story behind the Big Issue's Young Team Takeover – a special edition created entirely by young people.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
I've been watching the debate on assisted dying closely this morning. MPs have just voted in favour of legalising the bill, with a majority of 23 votes. It will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny www.bigissue.com/life/health/...
bigissue.com
MPs vote to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales
There was an impassioned debate on assisted dying ahead of the vote which will see MP Kim Leadbeater's bill taken to the next stage.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
An absolute privilege to speak with Sammi, Navid, Mortza and Roozbeh about their experience being refugees and asylum seekers in Cardiff. They love Wales! www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Asylum seekers share their dreams for future: 'I want my children to have a safe life'
The Big Issue speaks to four people supported by charity Oasis about what life is like for asylum seekers and refugees in Wales.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
A lot of employers could learn something from this scheme at Hilton, which is offering work experience and job roles to people with learning disabilities. It was great to attend their celebration afternoon tea earlier this week 🍰 and you can book to go on 2 July! www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
bigissue.com
This afternoon tea is made and served by people with learning disabilities
We attended an afternoon tea made and served entirely by people with learning disabilities at the Hilton, which is offering work experience.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
Bon and Thuy Ly, from Vietnam, are searching for their daughter who was born in 1995 and adopted in 2000 in London. Both are terminally ill and their final wish is to speak to her. They want her to know they have missed her every day. More info in this article ⬇️ www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
Bon and Thuy Ly
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
This was a brilliant chat with Rosie Jones. We talked about her new sitcom Pushers, about a disabled woman who turns to drug dealing after her benefits are cut It's an experience (minus the drug dealing) that Jones and many other disabled people know well www.bigissue.com/culture/tv/r...
bigissue.com
Rosie Jones: 'My benefits have been cut – but I'm one of the lucky ones'
Pushers, the first sitcom written by Rosie Jones, is an opportunity to start a conversation about disabilities.
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Paula Barker MP @paulabarkermp.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
(2/2) I also spoke to @isabellamcrae.bsky.social from the @bigissue.com about why I’ll be voting against the proposed reforms: www.bigissue.com/news/politics/labour-mps-vote-disability-benefit-cuts-rebellion/
bigissue.com
Meet the rebel Labour MPs voting against disability benefit cuts
The Big Issue attended a photo-call where Labour MPs publicly opposed the government's plans for disability benefit cuts.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
I headed to parliament this morning to meet the 15 Labour MPs who were prepared to publicly commit to rebelling against the government in the upcoming vote on benefit cuts. They told me it’s likely far more will side with them in the coming weeks www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
bigissue.com
Meet the rebel Labour MPs voting against disability benefit cuts
The Big Issue attended a photo-call where Labour MPs publicly opposed the government's plans for disability benefit cuts.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
“My appearance, if anything, is the least hard part about my condition. It’s the physical stuff that’s traumatic. It’s all that stuff that makes living with an illness so debilitating” Nikki Lilly is on her way to being a superstar. It was a pleasure to chat to her www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Influencer Nikki Lilly: 'Disabled people are at the bottom of the barrel'
Nikki Lilly is a content creator with facial difference. She speaks to the Big Issue about why positive representation is so important.
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Maria Brul @mariabrul.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
A powerful film shining a light on the silos of public services failing mothers, children, and families who become stuck in the cycles of harm when services don't see women as mothers, carers, and surving trauma. I was honoured to speak at this powerful screening of Lollipop 🍭
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Agenda Alliance @agenda-alliance.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Thanks @isabellamcrae.bsky.social and @bigissue.com for having us to speak on the Q&A panel for this gut-wrenching new film. We shared insight from our briefing, We Need Support, which highlighted the challenges women face navigating child removal. www.bigissue.com/culture/film...
bigissue.com
New film Lollipop powerfully lays bare the 'inhumane' children's care system
Lollipop tells the story of a young single mother who leaves prison expecting to be reunited with her kids, but released into homelessness.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
I hosted a special preview screening of new film Lollipop – a powerful, beautiful film about a homeless woman's experiences of trying to regain custody of her children. www.bigissue.com/culture/film...
bigissue.com
New film Lollipop powerfully lays bare the 'inhumane' children's care system
Lollipop tells the story of a young single mother who leaves prison expecting to be reunited with her kids, but released into homelessness.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
The stories I heard from Palestinians yesterday - some of whom had phoned in from Gaza - were gut wrenching. They told me it feels like they are speaking into the void. Please read their stories. www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
bigissue.com
Palestinians plead with UK to act as children in Gaza starve to death
British Palestinians held an urgent press conference calling for the UK government to act to help people in Gaza.
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Isabella McRae @isabellamcrae.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
NHS workers in Manchester's mental health services told me they have faced "multiple horrible tragedies" due to a crisis in staffing. They've accepted a funding deal and called off strikes – but they fear problems persist in mental health teams across the country www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
Patients 'dying all over the place' due to Manchester's mental health care crisis
Striking NHS workers in Manchester's mental health services have accepted a deal for more funding – but they fear problems persist.
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