Charity Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026 Inductees Celebrating Community Changemakers

At a glance

The Charity Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026 inductees, honouring twelve individuals for their transformative contributions to communities in the UK and beyond through social action and reform. Notable inductees include Lady Phyll, founder of UK Black Pride, and Elham Fardad, founder of Migrant Leaders, among others who have impacted areas such as equality, health, and education. The list also includes posthumous honours for figures like Revd Bruce Kenrick and Martyn Butler OBE, recognising their lasting societal influence.

Charity Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026 Inductees, recognising twelve individuals whose work has transformed communities across the UK and beyond through social action, public service and reform.

This year’s Class includes Lady Phyll, founder of UK Black Pride, Executive Director of DIVA Charitable Trust and a leading voice for intersectional equality; Elham Fardad, founder of Migrant Leaders, supporting young people from migrant backgrounds to access careers and opportunity and Jennie Williams, founder of Enhance the UK, whose work challenges stigma and expands inclusion for disabled people.

They are joined by Garreth Wood MBE, for co-founding Kids Operating Room, expanding access to life saving surgery for children worldwide and author Natalie Reeves Billing for using storytelling and creativity to support children’s literacy and wellbeing.

Together their work spans equality, health, education and community development.

The Class of 2026 also honours a number of posthumous inductees whose legacy continues to shape society today on issues such as housing justice, public health, consumer rights and community action. They are Revd Bruce Kenrick, founder of Notting Hill Housing Trust and of Shelter; Martyn Butler OBE, co-founder of the Terrence Higgins Trust; Mark Ashton, founder of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners; Dame Sheila McKechnie DBE, a pioneering campaigner for housing and consumer rights and Pearl Alcock, a Brixton community figure who created one of Britain’s earliest safe spaces for the London Black LGBTQ+ community.

The Class also includes two Legends of Change, recognised for their enduring historical impact: Mary Wollstonecraft, a founding voice for women’s equality, and Benjamin Lay, an early abolitionist who challenged slavery long before it was widely opposed.

Malcolm John, Chair of the Charity Hall of Fame Induction Panel, said:
“This year’s Class reflects both the diversity and breadth of community action and social reform, often founded on lived experience. The Panel was hugely impressed by the commitment and achievements of each of the inductees, whether working at grassroots level or influencing change nationally and internationally. Individually and collectively, they highlight the considerable impact of inspirational community leaders on social change”.

Jamie Ward-Smith, Founder of Charity Hall of Fame, said:
“We created Charity Hall to celebrate people who have made an incredible difference to the lives of others and to preserve their legacy to inspire future generations. This year’s Inductees reflect the many ways that change happens, through community action, campaigning, creativity, philanthropy and courage. Each of them has helped to build a fairer and more compassionate society, often in ways that go unrecognised. It is a privilege to honour their achievements and ensure their impact is remembered.”

NOTES:

The full list of the Class of 2026 by category and region:

Community Impact

Elham Fardad - East of England

Mark Ashton (Young Changemaker) - Northern Ireland

Martyn Butler OBE - Wales

Pearl Alcock - Greater London

Justice & Equality

Benjamin Lay (Legend) - East of England

Revd Bruce Kenrick - North West

Mary Wollstonecraft (Legend) - Greater London

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah (Lady Phyll) - Greater London

Philanthropy

Garreth Wood MBE - Scotland

Social Pioneers

Jennie Williams - South East

Natalie Reeves Billing - North West

Dame Sheila McKechnie DBE - Scotland