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Big Issue Recruit

Big Issue Recruit

We bring employers and overlooked talent together

Creating real social impact through the people you hire.

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Big Issue Recruit: Long-term work for people who need it most

Currently, 3.8 million people in the UK are struggling to afford the basics, such as food, clothing, and electricity. At the same time, 1.67 million people are unemployed, with vacancies falling to 718,000 between May and July 2025.

It’s a tough climate for anyone looking for work and even tougher for people already facing poverty and inequality.

Big Issue Recruit is a free recruitment service for people who’ve experienced challenges like homelessness, long-term unemployment, or a lack of qualifications. We’re here to create lasting employment and brighter futures.

We work with people and employers before, during, and after hiring – offering the support, training and confidence needed to build strong teams and meaningful careers.

By championing inclusive employment and social mobility, we help people overcome barriers to work while supporting employers to grow resilient, motivated, and diverse workforces.

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For Employers

We partner with employers who want to build stronger, more inclusive teams – and make a real impact along the way.

Big Issue Recruit offers a straightforward recruitment model that helps reduce staff turnover, improve retention, and deliver social value you can measure.

Here’s what we offer employers:

Tailored support for hiring managers to create inclusive onboarding and long-lasting placements
Post-hire coaching for candidates to build confidence, resilience, and success in the workplace
Vacancy promotion and management to help you find the right people
Flexible hiring options – from direct hires, try-before-you-hire, to fully outsourced recruitment
Impact reporting – through our annual social value report, showing the difference your investment makes

We’ll work with you to create job opportunities that last – and change lives.

Get in touch to see how we can support your recruitment needs while driving real social impact.

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For Candidates

When someone joins Big Issue Recruit, they’re matched with a dedicated Job Coach who takes the time to understand their goals, skills, and the support they need to succeed.

Our Job Coaches provide:

One-to-one coaching and mentoring
Confidence building, workplace skills, and resilience training
Access to live vacancies across different sectors
Support with applications, interview,s and onboarding
Ongoing guidance after placement to make sure the job lasts

But it doesn’t stop there. We wrap support around every candidate – from training and digital access to financial advice and health and wellbeing resources – so people can thrive not just in work, but in life.

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