Big Issue National Vendor Week 2024
Welcome to Big Issue National Vendor Week
A celebration of people who are working their way out of poverty
SUPPORT OUR WORKNational Vendor Week
At Big Issue Group, we believe in the power of opportunity. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch National Vendor Week 2024 – a moment to celebrate people working their way out of poverty.
Throughout the week, we’ll shine a light on our work in the Learning & Employment space including our incredible Vendors, Big Issue Recruit candidates, and our investment efforts through Big Issue Invest. Together, we’re empowering more individuals to break free from poverty and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
In 2023 our Learning & Employment work resulted in £5.3million of social value to the UK economy.
Our Work in 2023
Our aim is to provide opportunity for the 3.8 million people experiencing destitution in the UK to access and use the Big Issue Group services which provide opportunities to escape poverty through earning and working. This is the Learning & Employment impact we delivered last year with your support:
Vendor, Candidate & Investee Stories
Will Payne used to sell the magazine on the streets of Bristol – but now he has bagged a new job as a street cleaner. “Big Issue helped me recuperate after I had a bit of a breakdown. I lost it and ended up in hospital.” Will started his new street cleaning job on 18 December after applying at Bristol City Council. “I love being outdoors, pushing my barrel, chatting to the punters and the lovely people in Bristol.”
Sandrine Mpongo is a Big Issue Recruit candidate from London who wanted to go back to work after having her baby, but the cost of childcare and inflexible work left her unemployed for two years. With the support of Job Coach Shak Dean, she has now secured a catering job ““Before the interview, we were talking every day for a week. Shak told me I could call him anytime,” she said. “Before the interview, I wanted to practise my English so that’s what we were doing. He would tell me some professional words and I would write them down.”
Generation Success, founded by James Adeleke, is a Big Issue Invest investee, which seeks to break down systemic barriers facing young people from diverse backgrounds accessing professional opportunities. “We operate with 70 different employers and different shapes and forms in the UK and Ireland to level the playing field for diverse talent and underrepresented groups into the professional world.”
Get Involved
Whether you’re an individual or an organisation there’s plenty of ways you can get involved in Big Issue National Vendor Week and support individuals working their way out of poverty.
Support Vendors and our work
Can your organisation support individuals wanting to work their way out of poverty?
Seeking an immediate form of income?
About Our Work
- Opportunities to Earn: Selling the Big Issue magazine isn’t just about earning income – it’s a pathway to financial independence to improve lives. Vendors buy each copy for £2 and sell for £4 keeping 100% of the profit.
- Sustainable Employment Opportunities: For those facing barriers to employment, Big Issue Recruit provides vital support every step of the way. Our person-centred service offers comprehensive assistance pre, during, and post-employment, ensuring individuals have the tools they need to succeed.
- Holistic Support Services: We understand that escaping poverty involves more than just earning and working. That’s why our Frontline team provide access to essential services such as health and wellbeing support, financial literacy training, and digital inclusion programmes.
- Investing to End Poverty: Through Big Issue Invest, we invest in organisations providing core solutions to ending poverty, across a range of areas including Learning & Employment.
Vendor News
Letters: DWP wants to make it as hard as possible to look after my disabled relatives
Artists pays tribute to Big Issue vendors in thought-provoking project: ‘Ordinary moments go unnoticed’
