Big Issue Impact

We support people affected by poverty to build a better future for themselves. This page is dedicated to our impact.

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Here's how your £35 will support a vendor:

♨️ Hat to keep warm
☂️ Poncho to stay dry
☕ Hot drink and food voucher to keep fuelled
💳 Cashless equipment to increase earnings
💼 Specialist sales and employment training

You can buy a kit here: https://t.co/MVslm2V6hh

Thank you

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

As the winter arrives and energy prices rise 📈 thousands of people in extreme poverty turn to the Big Issue to generate essential income for themselves and their families.

Support a Big Issue vendor this Christmas and beyond👇
https://t.co/MVslm2V6hh

[Big Issue @BigIssue]

Susan, one of our inspiring Christmas campaign vendors, shares her story:

My name is Susan. I know what it's like to have to live on the street, and Big Issue helped me big time when I was homeless.

I was in dire poverty, I was on the street with not a penny to my name. And when I was told about the big issue, I jumped straight in. A friend explained to me that it's financial help; if you've got no money then you can work for yourself and work your way out of poverty. I thought, well, this is my opportunity to get my life back on track and work for myself. Have a bit of independence and dignity and get by from day to day from what I’m earning. I've never looked back. I think it's fantastic.

The Big Issue is a godsend. Without this organisation, a lot of people would be in a much worse position. With the right sort of help, I believe that people can get their lives back on track, and the Big Issue supports a hell of a lot of people. Without a doubt, the Big Issue is the biggest help out there. There's more and more people doing it now because they're in financial hardship and they need that little bit of extra money to support themselves. It gives them a bit of independence as well.

When you’re selling the Big Issue, it’s nice to be out there interacting with people, it makes you feel a little bit more confident within yourself. It's not always about people, some people just want to stop and have a chat with you, and that in itself can be an uplift. If you're feeling a little bit low, they make you feel good about yourself, so it gives you a bit of self-esteem.

The trouble with this job is you’re governed by the weather. I don't think the cold so much bothers people because you can put layers on if it is cold out there, wrap yourself up nice and warm. The only downfall is when it rains. It's highly unlikely that customers are going to stop and buy a magazine in the rain because most of the commuters just want to get to the station to get home as quickly as possible. You really do tend to lose out on sales when the weather's bad like that, when it's heavily raining.

I use the money I make from the Big Issue for all my basic needs. Sometimes you might have a pair of shoes that's worn out, for example, and that money from the Big Issue will probably help you to go out and buy that new pair of shoes you do so desperately need. That's where the Big Issue helps, with the sales you can go out and buy the personal things you need.

I wish my customers all the best and I'll just say thank you for taking an interest in people like us that are on the poverty line.

💪 Help change a life this Christmas: Buy from your local vendor every week. If you can't reach a vendor, buy a Vendor Support Kit online for £35 so vendors can keep themselves warm, dry, fed, earning, and progressing.

Buy a kit here: https://t.co/ABGZ4W94co

Thank you ❤️

[Big Issue @BigIssue]

Big Issue presents - 12 Days of Homelessness ✨

Our 2024 Christmas ad, shines a light on the leading causes of homelessness across the UK, voiced by Big Issue vendors, frontline workers, and our brilliant ambassador @DanielMays9.

With over half of Brits feeling more at risk of homelessness this year - and an alarming 78% of our vendors feeling more vulnerable since the start of the cost-of-living crisis - your support is needed more than ever.

💪 Help change lives: Buy from your local vendor every week. If you can't reach a vendor, buy a Vendor Support Kit online for £35 so vendors can keep themselves warm, dry, fed, earning, and progressing.

Buy a kit here: https://t.co/ABGZ4W94co

Thank you ❤️

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Susan was homeless and started selling the Big Issue to work her way out of poverty 💪

You can support Big Issue vendors by buying their magazine every week this Christmas season. If you can't reach a vendor you can buy Vendor Support Kit online 👇
https://t.co/MVslm2V6hh

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Thousands of people in extreme poverty turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income at Christmas.

Please buy a copy from your local vendor every week this Christmas season, if you can't reach them, buy a Big Issue Vendor Support Kit 👇
https://t.co/MVslm2V6hh

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Let’s break the cycle of poverty together! Financial and digital inclusion📱is key to unlocking progress for vendors.

Gwyn, Big Issue’s Service Development Manager, highlights the challenges & the support Big Issue is providing 👇

https://t.co/yZlqoS0UzA

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Money Guiders training from @MoneyPensionsUK is helping our support team learn money management skills to better support our vendors.💰We're proud to champion this as part of our financial & digital inclusion work. Learn more about our impact pillars👇
https://t.co/ynq4oP2243

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Meet Matthew, a vendor from South London who's determined to find stable employment ❇️ When not selling the magazine, Matthew enjoys playing tennis, gardening in the square where he lives & watching local bands.

Read more about Matthew’s journey here 👇
https://t.co/h5FMS2LcHI

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Did you know? 🤔 On average, vendors sell five additional copies of the Big Issue every week after going cashless. This amounts to an additional £520 a year in additional income.

You can support our financial and digital inclusion work here 👇 https://t.co/LVlwYlYo03

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

"I became homeless last spring. Fortunately, I saw the end of it and became housed and started selling the Big Issue through a referral. It turned out to be a very good thing for me."

Josh sells the Big Issue in Exeter 📍

Read his full story here 👇 https://t.co/9V2CXL1Qqr

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Born and bred in Bristol! Mark sells the Big Issue outside @lidlgb in Kingswood📍

"I’ve been on & off selling the magazine on this pitch for six months. It’s going alright, I like the people up here, they’re good people."

Read Mark's full story here 👉 https://t.co/7JjWuH3zId

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

🔍 Behind the Scenes: We run sales training so our staff can coach and support Big Issue vendors in developing the skills needed to maximize their sales and develop transitional & transferable skills to progress 📈 Learn more about our support services 👉 https://t.co/DJthpHxYQS

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Steven sells the Big Issue in #Edinburgh and says "interacting with people is what I enjoy most about it."

It has given Steven stability and supported him with his mental health. You can read Steven's full story & support him with a subscription here 👉 https://t.co/4yIvcL3E2V

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

💬 "I do it because I love the feeling of community. Whenever people come past me, everyone’s always happy & enjoying themselves. I put the music on to see people’s smiles, not for myself."

Read Sean's full story and subscribe to his magazine here 👉 https://t.co/5Iupnn3DvA

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Meet Christopher, a Big Issue vendor outside @Greggs in Whitley Bay 📌

Christopher is looking to continue rebuilding his life over the coming months and hopes to start a business in the future.

You can read Christopher's full story here 👉 https://t.co/yDT19SnUKz

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Our staff support vendors through all of life’s challenges, from ill health to poorly pets. 🐶 Half of our vendors have experienced health-related concerns. Support our work today 👉 https://t.co/ymHN55zrOb

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Meet Sidonia, she sells the Big Issue magazine in #Bath. 💬 "Big Issue is one of my big passions. My customers are kind, sometimes buying nappies for my kids or bringing me coffee."

Read Sidonia's full story here 👉 https://t.co/apvGunmQAQ

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Meet our high-energy vendor, Vasile, who recently celebrated his 39th birthday on his pitch in #York 🎉 Despite facing hardships, including having his bag stolen and living in a hostel, he remains resilient and hopeful.

Read Vasile's full story 👉 https://t.co/AQf8DCJp9p

[Big Issue Impact @bigissueimpact]

Meet Michael, a Big Issue vendor in #Birmingham. He gets up at 5am 🕓 to sell the magazine.

💬 "I look at the magazine on a Monday and make stuff up in my head which rhymes with the stuff inside it. I think it really connects with my customers."

https://t.co/mJbEf2LgBK