Frontline changes FAQS
What is the Big Issue Changing Lives CIC?
The BIG ISSUE CHANGING LIVES C.I.C. is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC), a social business, which will fund our frontline service team who work with vendors to improve their lives.
Having experienced a 10% increase in vendors in 2022 and a 20% increase in vendors needing urgent support, the Big Issue Foundation and Big Issue has brought its frontline operations together to help more vendors and provide an enhanced service, under this new CIC. This combined frontline will ensure vendors find it easier to access the end-to-end support they need including sales set up and support, access to health and wellbeing services and employment opportunities.
100% of your financial contribution goes towards supporting our vendors by funding our frontline teams who work with vendors to improve their lives.
What has happened to the Big Issue Foundation?
Until now, funds raised through the Big Issue Foundation were allocated to one-half of the Big Issue frontline service teams.
On 16th June 2023 we will transfer the work, expertise and resource of the Big Issue Foundation into the new Big Issue Changing Lives Community Interest Company to make your money go further and to help more people work their way out of poverty. So, from this date the Big Issue Foundation has been wound down, but it’s work will continue.
I was giving to the Big Issue Foundation – what happens now?
You can continue to give to the Big Issue. As previously, 100% of your financial contribution will go towards funding our Frontline teams who work directly to support vendors to improve their lives. The only difference now is that money is allocated to the Big Issue Changing Lives Community Interest Company, which is a not-for-profit social business and not a charitable entity.
I have a standing order, or a direct debit donation set up with Big Issue Foundation – what happens to that?
We are asking if all Big Issue Foundation supporters would transfer their regular gifts to the Big Issue Changing Lives Community Interest Company.
Standing Orders: From 5th May 2023 the standing order you held with Big Issue Foundation will no longer be accepted as our bank details have changed. If you would like to set up a new standing order with the Big Issue Changing Lives Community Interest Company please email CIC@bigissue.com for our bank details or please check your email and postal communications as we have provided these details there as well.
Direct Debit or regular gift via a fundraising platform (i.e. Enthuse, CAF, Justgiving): You should have been contacted with a link to setup a new direct debit with the Big Issue Changing Lives Community Interest Company. The last payment date for the regular gift you held with Big Issue Foundation will have been on or before the 30th of April 2023. If you have not been contacted but would like to set up a new direct debit please contact CIC@bigissue.com
How will this impact vendors?
This change will benefit our vendors as they will find it easier to access the end-to-end support they need quickly and efficiently through our unified frontline team working under one mission. Our frontline team provides critical one to one support to vendors, building bespoke plans based on individual needs, goals and aspirations. This end-to-end frontline service means vendors are set up to sell and start earning immediately; given the skills and confidence to grow their earnings from street sales; signposted to critical services such as housing, health, finance and wellbeing; and supported through Big Issue programmes of work to improve their lives for good through training and employment pathways.
How is my financial contribution spent?
When you make a financial contribution to the Big Issue Changing Lives Community Interest Company, 100% of the money goes to fund the work of our frontline team, who support vendors to improve their lives.
£37 can help buy boots in winter, protecting vendors feet from the cold and wet weather
£66 can help buy a laptop so a vendor can start an online business course and get ready for employment
£74 can help buy new clothes for a vendor that are suitable for their needs and help build dignity and self-esteem
Can I use GiftAid?
No. While Big Issue Changing Lives Community Interest Company is a social business that reinvests all of the profits back into the company, it is not a registered charity and is unable to claim Gift Aid.
I have further questions, how can I get in contact?
If you have any questions please email CIC@bigissue.com
Why are you contacting me asking for my consent?
The Big Issue Foundation had a very loyal following and we would like to keep in touch with supporters of the Foundation. Due to the change in legal entity of the organisation, by law, we are not permitted to contact supporters of the Foundation after 16 June 2023, unless we have specific consent. Consequently, we have been contacting supporters asking people to opt-in to our communications as we’d love to keep in touch.
I’m a subscriber to the Big Issue Magazine – do I need to update my subscription using the new bank details of the CIC?
The bank details for the Big Issue magazine subscriptions remain unchanged so if you are a subscriber you do not need to do anything.