Tackling child poverty today to build a better tomorrow

Poverty in the UK has reached crisis levels – with child poverty at an all-time high and 3.8 million people experiencing destitution. At Big Issue Group, we believe ending poverty starts with creating real opportunities to work, earn, and learn— especially for the next generation.

That’s why we’re committed to supporting young people aged 18–24 to build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Many of the young people we work with have grown up in poverty, are young parents, or care for family members. Their stories are shaped by struggle – but their futures don’t have to be.

We’re also campaigning on behalf of everyone (including young people) affected by poverty and demanding that Keir Starmer set poverty reduction targets for this and all future governments.

Our approach to creating opportunities for young people

We offer practical, proven solutions that help young people work, earn, learn, and thrive:

• Job coaching and inclusive employment solutions for young people through Big Issue Recruit.
• Peer mentoring through our Equal to Equal programme.
• Support for care leavers via partnerships with the Care Leavers Covenant and other referral partners.
• Opportunities in vending and enterprise through Big Issue to earn an income on their terms.
• Indirect support – 57% of our vendors are working to create opportunities for their children
• Our journalism writes and fights for young people across the UK.

We also support other organisations that work with young people affected by poverty and inequality. Through Big Issue Invest, we back mission-led organisations creating pathways out of poverty for young people across the UK — from skills training and mental health services, to community projects and inclusive employers.

Powered by partnership

We want to work with more youth-focused organisations to ensure young people get the support they need — when they need it most.

From street level to system change, we’re building a movement. Get in touch to explore a partnership.

How Big Issue supports young people

Support for young Big Issue vendors in 2024

• In 2024, 710 young people aged 18-24 sold the Big Issue magazine – 21% of all vendors
• 208 young vendors accessed additional support from Big Issue:
  • 172 vendors accessed health and wellbeing support 
    • 75 were supported with a Winter Support Kit 
    • 42 were supported with a welfare check-in 
    • 40 were supported with energy vouchers 
  • 66 vendors accessed financial and digital inclusion support
    • 36 were supported with digital support and guidance 
    • 12 supported in managing their benefits 
    • 7 received a refurbished iPhone through the giffgaff partnership
  • 24 vendors accessed learning and employment support 
    • 6 were referred to Big Issue Recruit to find employment 
    • 14 received tailored sales training to increase magazine sales
  • 12 vendors access housing support
    • 11 received support and guidance for their housing situation 
    • 2 were supported to find new places to live 
  • 12 vendors accessed community and environment support
    • 9 supported with immigration and citizenship information 

Support for young Big Issue Recruit candidates

• Big Issue Recruit works with employers to support people affected by poverty and inequality to move into work.
• To date, Big Issue Recruit has supported 41 candidates aged 18-24, facing barriers to employment
• Young candidates like Hollie:

If you’re an employer looking to build a more inclusive workforce of young people with higher retention rates – get in touch.

Support for young people through Big Issue Invest

• Through Big Issue Invest, we fund other organisations that work to end poverty and inequality in the UK.
• In 2024, through these organisations, we supported 1.8 million people across the UK, including thousands of young people.
• Big Issue Invest currently supports 23 organisations that are creating opportunities for young people, with over £7.5 million in funding.
• Our most recent investment was a £3.2 million loan to Great Oaks College, who offer further education opportunities to young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. In 2023, the college was unexpectedly served a two-year notice to vacate its current purpose-built facility.

“I was preparing to break the news to our students, staff, and families that the college could face closure. We felt as though we were running out of options—until we were introduced to Big Issue Invest. There was fear, anxiety, and the deep worry that without financial backing, all the good we had built could be lost. Securing this funding has not only safeguarded the future of Great Oaks but has laid the foundation for growth. I love what Great Oaks stands for—and even more, what it has the potential to become, now we have this fantastic new backing from Big Issue Invest.” – Nickyie Thomas, Principal at Great Oaks

If you’re a mission-led organisation working with young people and seeking funding to grow your impact – get in touch to discuss funding with one our our Investment Managers.

Campaigning for young people

We’re actively lobbying the government on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, currently in the House of Lords. We’re pushing for a new amendment that introduces poverty reduction targets – a vital measure to hold the government to its pledge of achieving an enduring reduction in child poverty by the end of this parliament.

We’re also proud to be part of the End Child Poverty coalition, campaigning for the removal of the two-child limit benefit cap – a policy pushing over 100 children into poverty every single day.