Big Issue Group Impact
Big Issue Group impact – Working to end poverty
For 35 years now, Big Issue has been standing with people living in poverty and creating opportunities for them to thrive. 2025 was no different. We supported hundreds of people to find work via Big Issue Recruit; thousands of people to earn by selling our magazine; and hundreds of thousands through Big Issue Invest’s game-changing investments in social purpose organisations.
But to meet the challenges ahead, we must not only strengthen what we do today – we must build the Big Issue of tomorrow. That’s why we’ve launched our Transformation Fund, enabling us to design bold, future-focused solutions, including new digital earning opportunities and expanded pathways for young people not in employment, education and training (NEET).
Our impact in 2025
Our 2025 Group Impact Report shows our breadth of work and how we’re making extraordinary progress against our impact goals. Here’s some of the key highlights:
- 3,316 people earning a legitimate income as Big Issue vendors, earning £3.3 million in collective income
- More than 60% of vendors now equipped to take cashless payments, with more than 15,000 transactions to date
- 520 new job candidates supported by Big Issue Recruit
- £9.4 million newly invested in 50 organisations through Big Issue Invest
A message from our Group CEO
Paul Cheal, Group CEO
“Big Issue has spent the past 35 years creating opportunities for people excluded from society to change their own lives. While our purpose endures, the world around us has changed dramatically – and there is a clear need for businesses like ours to innovate our support for the next generation.
“Entrepreneurship is in the Big Issue’s DNA, from the revolutionary magazine and its sellers that changed Britain’s high streets 35 years ago, to the innovative earning, learning and social investment opportunities we offer today. It’s in this spirit that we have launched a new Transformation Fund to design bold, future focused solutions, ensuring our impact continues for generations to come.”
Big Issue Group’s five impact pillars
Big Issue Group’s work is not simply focused on achieving any one single outcome. By fostering collaboration, empowering local organisations and leaders, and promoting sustainable practices, we aim to create long-lasting positive change. All of our products and services deliver impact across at least one of the five Big Issue impact pillars.
Download the full report to learn more about our Impact Pillars.
Impact Reports
Impact News
Two-thirds of adults predict kids today will be worse off than their parents
Letters: Big Issue’s Changemakers showed that in dark times it’s important to have hope
Big Issue brand hits milestone of putting £200 million in vendors’ pockets worldwide
