Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
The Big Issue Oasis Collector's edition is coming - sign up so you don't miss out!
SIGN UP
News

Bristol Big Issue vendor Paul reunites with family for Christmas

“I haven’t been in contact with them for a while. I’m really excited and eagerly looking forward to spending some time with them all"

Photo credit: Magnus Arrevad

It has been a big year for popular Bristol vendor Paul Jones. This summer the 44-year-old was selected to sell the magazine at Glastonbury, a brand-new pitch at the world’s biggest musical festival.

Paul Jones, Wine Street, Bristol
Photo: Sean Malyon

And this Christmas, Paul will be going back to Leicester to spend Christmas with his estranged family, having recently mended fences and healed old wounds. It’s the first time Paul will have spent time with his family in two years.

“I haven’t been in contact with them for a while now, but I’m really excited and eagerly looking forward to spending some time with them all,” he said.

Martha Luke, service broker for The Big Issue Foundation says many vendors struggle with the broken family ties. She hailed the “positive changes” Paul has made this year. He learned how to build a bike at the Earn-a-Bike project run by the Bristol Bike Project, and is also now a regular at Windmill Hill city farm as volunteer gardener.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Paul, and I am so excited for him to be going home this Christmas to spend it with his family,” said Martha.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

View all
Labour's disability benefits bill is supposed to help people into work – but the jobs aren't there
Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall speaking in parliament
Disability Benefits

Labour's disability benefits bill is supposed to help people into work – but the jobs aren't there

Starmer finally backs down on disability benefits cuts – but are the concessions enough?
Keir Starmer
Disability benefits

Starmer finally backs down on disability benefits cuts – but are the concessions enough?

School standards minister: 'We want to change it so nobody has to fight for their education'
Onside takeover

School standards minister: 'We want to change it so nobody has to fight for their education'

More than half of PIP claimants say Labour's benefit cuts could make them homeless
Keir Starmer
Disability benefits

More than half of PIP claimants say Labour's benefit cuts could make them homeless

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.