Teenager Champions Homeless Families' Housing

A 15-year-old campaigner from Brighton has been celebrated as one of the Big Issue's 100 Changemakers of 2026. Scarlett founded Mission:Home, a charity focused on ending homelessness within the city by highlighting the plight of families in emergency and temporary accommodations.

Scarlett has a history of fundraising, having busked since the age of eight and accumulating over £10,000 for homelessness initiatives. She expressed her honor at the Big Issue's recognition, particularly so soon after launching her charity.

Her initial project involved mobilizing support for a proposal to construct four new homes for families in Woodingdean, a project that saw an overwhelming positive response from residents. This success has inspired Scarlett, who anticipates further projects for Mission:Home.

Scarlett hopes the award will elevate Mission:Home's profile, potentially unlocking funding and enabling more initiatives to secure council housing for homeless families. The charity also aims to repurpose "forgotten spaces" into much-needed homes, emphasizing that no child should endure their entire school life in temporary accommodation.