Help a vendor like Kelvin work his way out of poverty
For more than 30 years, the Big Issue Group has been at the forefront of helping people work to improve their lives and lift themselves out of poverty. At the heart of our work are our Frontline services team who help vendors to access basic services, training and employment opportunities to move on with their lives.
It’s a vital service that has provided opportunities to 105,000 people out of poverty in the UK over the years. But it’s under strain and we need your help.
Right now, 3.8 million people in the UK are experiencing destitution which means they are unable to meet their most basic physical needs to stay warm, dry, clean and fed. This is almost two-and-a-half times the number of people in 2017.
Can you help us fight poverty in the UK?
£20 could fund an hour of one-to-one specialist coaching in housing, benefits, wellbeing and work.
£50 could help us to offer Sales coaching to seven vendors, and help improve their confidence and increase their magazine sales income.
£100 could help pay for a refurbished laptop and help a vendor access online education courses and other digital services.
Kelvin’s story
Kelvin became homeless when he was 16 years old. He remembers that time as ‘ living between bedsits, B&Bs and squats.’ He used to beg for money until he was The Big Issue and thought ‘I’ll have a bit of that.’
Our Frontline service team helped set up Kelvin as a Big Issue Vendor and he really enjoys it. “The Big Issue gives me purpose and helped me take control of my life, and taught me valuable interpersonal, communication and budgeting skills.”