MORE WAYS TO BOOST VENDOR EARNINGS
The cost-of-living crisis has driven more people to find different ways to stay afloat, and that’s reflected in our vendor numbers, which are now 10% higher. Vendors need your support now more than ever. Do you want to boost your local vendor’s earnings? We’re constantly working hard to find more to ways support your local vendor and there are three ways for you to make a difference:
1) Share your local vendor’s story
Find out why your local vendor is working hard to make a living, subscribe directly and share their story with your friends, family and followers! Find your local vendor here and encourage your friends to boost their earnings, or learn more about our vendors below:
Mark Richards
Charles Street/Queen Street station, Cardiff
Before I sold The Big Issue I was living on the streets. I’d had a flat but some undesirables were using it and wrecked it. I ended up sleeping rough and begging but I thought to myself, I can do better than this.
Read Mark’s story here
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James Hannah
Dove Street, Norwich
Selling The Big Issue saved my life. If I didn’t start this 10 years ago I don’t think I’d have stopped drinking. It was actually one of the other vendors who said, why don’t I try it? It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
Read James’ story here
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Paul Logan
Oxford Circus, Central London
My story of how I became homeless is one of a million stories of, like, a million different reasons why people become homeless. I prefer not to look at how I became homeless, I prefer to look at what I have done in rebuilding my life since then.
Read Paul’s story here
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Dalila Paun
Sainsbury’s, Burton-on-Trent
I used to live with friends, but they have moved house and now I am struggling to pay on my own. Buying food and things for the children as well as rent is so hard I can’t manage any more. I need help with gas and electricity because that price has gone up really high too.
Read Dalila’s story here
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Easton Christian
White City tube station, London
I was born in Jamaica. When I came to England at the very end of the 1960s I lived in Notting Hill. I was homeless and I used to go to a centre in Essex Road in North London for coffee and tea and sandwiches. Someone who was working there asked me if I wanted to sell the magazine.
Read Easton’s story here
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Jack Richardson
Bird & Blend Tea, Park Street, Bristol
Because of my depression I’ll have four or five days a month where I can’t face anyone. Any normal job, that would be the end of it. One of the things I love about having had my pitch for five years is that everybody knows me. I’m part of the community.
Read Jack’s story here
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Bridgette Sibley
Waitrose, Southsea, Portsmouth
I don’t know if I found The Big Issue or they found me. But there has been no looking back. They found me a flat and I loved selling the magazine.
Read Bridgette’s story here
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Stuart Drucker
Co-op, Whitchurch, and Roath Farmers Market, Cardiff
I was tired of making excuses. I went to rehab then and since then I haven’t touched anything. I had The Big Issue during those times.
Read Stuart’s story here
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Dave Martin
Tesco, Brook Green, Hammersmith, London
I’ve been selling The Big Issue for over eight years now, but in that time I’ve developed an interest in art. I’m selling the odd thing now. I’ve got this guy called Gavin, he does my prints. He’s got his own business, he’s a designer as well. He’ll scan my originals and then he’ll make them up.
Read Dave’s story here
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Simon Gravell
Topshop, Norwich
I’ve travelled around the UK selling The Big Issue but I kept coming back to Norwich. To be honest, I fell in love with somebody I met on my pitch. That’s the reason I decided to settle down.
Read Simon’s story here
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Will Payne
Better Food Company in St Werburghs on Sevier Street, Bristol
This time last year I was manager of a campsite. Then the owner of the campsite died and it’s gone into limbo for a while. I’m the only one left, cleaning up the place and looking after it. I lost my way. I was heavy drinking and I went really angry and dark. The Big Issue saved me.
Read Will’s story here
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Jon Gregg
M&S Muswell Hill, and Parliament Hill Farmers Market
I met a Big Issue vendor outside Green Park tube station called Dennis. He asked me to buy the magazine, but I told him I couldn’t afford one and explained my situation. He took me to the front line office the next day and got me signed up.
Read Jon’s story here
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Kelvin Gregory
Somerset House, London (Mon-Fri) Lordship Lane, Dulwich (Sat)
I want to break down the misconceptions of the Big Issue vendor. We’re not all drunk, on drugs or homeless. For some, it’s just the job that works best for them. Remember, we don’t get the magazines for free, and what we buy, we have to sell.
Read Kelvin’s story here
Share Kelvin’s story:
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Victor Grancea
Euston station, London
I have two boys aged 17 and 10, and selling The Big Issue has been a big help for me in my life by helping me to support them. I wish for my kids to go to school and to have a nice life and a job.
Read Victor’s story here
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2) Subscribe via a vendor
Subscribing to a vendor online provides a vital regular source of income. Each vendor can receive up to £75 for every subscription purchased.
3) Speak to your local vendor
Take a moment to speak to your local vendor and find out about why they are working to improve their life. And remember, every copy bought from a vendor on the street is £2 earned!
