Inside the Big Issue: Ambassadors assemble

It’s a beautiful day on the South Bank in London when Big Issue’s five new group ambassadors Chris Packham, Michelle de Swarte, Mike Soutar, Kwajo Tweneboa and Rotimi Merriman-Johnson gather for a photoshoot.

Each has a passion for our mission to defeat poverty, eradicate homelessness, offer opportunity to people who are excluded, and increase health and wealth equality in the UK. And they each bring expertise as well as energy to the fight.

In this week’s issue, get to know the five faces using their platforms to improve lives.

What else is in this week’s Big Issue?

The remarkable late-career renaissance of Jennifer Coolidge has been a joy to behold

Jennifer Coolidge’s career stalled to a point where a news outlet ran a headline reminding readers she wasn’t dead. Now she’s one of Hollywood’s hottest names, bagging an Emmy and a Golden Globe. We meet the White Lotus star ahead of the release of her turn in A Minecraft Movie.

“I do think it’s interesting that I’ve never been offered the part of a real winner,” she says. “I think very intelligent casting directors can tune into your weaknesses, your personal weaknesses, just as a person. And then they go, like, she’d be good for that ‘insecure lady’ part.”

How food bank volunteers are being forced to throw out food donated by supermarkets

Food banks rely on donations to feed those in need. But much of the time they’re forced to bin what’s given to them. Bizarre donations include six turkeys frozen together, 10kg of crème fraîche, and experimental flavours of mayonnaise.

The result is that 91% of food aid workers have had to throw out donated food.

Our health supplement explores how we can make health better for all

As the government pursues an agenda of cuts, focused on getting people back to work – especially those considered economically inactive – it’s important to realise that, ultimately, so much is tied to health. We all want a healthcare system robust enough to support our loved ones or ourselves when we need it.

That’s why this week we investigate the inequalities that persist and explore possible cures, from cancer and dentistry to air pollution and the lingering impact of Covid.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.