Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
News

I was a Big Issue vendor and now I'm a Gogglebox star

Sandra Martin believes she was able to turn her life around thanks to The Big Issue. She has since found fame on Gogglebox.

Only four years before Sandra Martin found fame on Gogglebox, she was selling The Big Issue. She lost her home after a stint in jail and struggled with alcohol abuse.

“One day, I saw someone with a copy of The Big Issue in the hostel,” she says. “I wanted an opportunity to get out there and do something positive instead of drinking, drinking, drinking.

“That was the start of my luck turning around. Suddenly lots of good things started happening. I think The Big Issue brought me good luck. Because of The Big Issue I was able to change my life around. It really feels like that.”

@sandragogglebox

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
An academic put trackers on homeless people to see what they could learn. Here's what they did next
University of Roehampton lead researcher Dr Melissa Jogie
Homelessness

An academic put trackers on homeless people to see what they could learn. Here's what they did next

Disability campaigners criticise report proposing PIP cuts: 'Very concerning'
DWP, benefits
Personal Independence Payment

Disability campaigners criticise report proposing PIP cuts: 'Very concerning'

There is a taboo around periods and homelessness. It's leaving women sleeping rough on the streets
A homeless women pictured going behind the bins to get some privacy while on her period
Homelessness

There is a taboo around periods and homelessness. It's leaving women sleeping rough on the streets

There's a new grant to help musicians build sustainable careers. But there's a catch
A vinyl record next to a number of record sleeves on a shelf
Music

There's a new grant to help musicians build sustainable careers. But there's a catch