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
How will the government end rough sleeping? We asked the homelessness minister
Homelessness minister Florence Eshalomi and prime minister Andy Burnham.
Homelessness

How will the government end rough sleeping? We asked the homelessness minister

Fat Macy's: The training academy lifting young people out of homelessness and into hospitality jobs
A young person being trained in the kitchen at Fat Macy's
Employment

Fat Macy's: The training academy lifting young people out of homelessness and into hospitality jobs

The government wants you to buy tinned food to prepare for a crisis. What if you can't afford it?
images of fruit and vegetables on cans to showcase food poverty
Food

The government wants you to buy tinned food to prepare for a crisis. What if you can't afford it?

Big Issue has always been bad at promoting itself. Andy Burnham can teach us a lesson
ohn Bird and Andy Burnham visit Independence Initiative
John Bird

Big Issue has always been bad at promoting itself. Andy Burnham can teach us a lesson