40 years on, was Live Aid all for nothing? Or can we still be heroes?
40 years on, was Live Aid all for nothing? Or can we still be heroes?
When Bob Geldof launched his plea for a new generosity, he found that millions of ordinary people rallied behind him. It can happen again
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
I was born intersex but it was kept secret from me my whole life. I still live with the trauma
I was born intersex but it was kept secret from me my whole life. I still live with the trauma
Top Stories
I care for my disabled son. South East Water outages left us without water for six days
I care for my disabled son. South East Water outages left us without water for six days
Paddington’s enduring appeal speaks to the nostalgia he brings out in all of us
Paddington’s enduring appeal speaks to the nostalgia he brings out in all of us
Letters: The world belongs to all of us – so let’s make it a kinder place
Letters: The world belongs to all of us – so let’s make it a kinder place
In this moment of geopolitical sword-dancing, words matter more than ever
In this moment of geopolitical sword-dancing, words matter more than ever
Big Issue turns 35 in 2026 – help us celebrate at our Big Dinner
Big Issue turns 35 in 2026 – help us celebrate at our Big Dinner
Advice
How to survive the cold weather when you’re struggling to pay your bills
How to survive the cold weather when you’re struggling to pay your bills
‘Don’t fight your body’: 8 essential tips on how to start running in 2026
‘Don’t fight your body’: 8 essential tips on how to start running in 2026
Energy bills are rising in January. What do I do if I can’t afford to pay?
Energy bills are rising in January. What do I do if I can’t afford to pay?
Clara Amfo shares tips to make Christmas feel calmer and brighter when you’re not feeling festive
Clara Amfo shares tips to make Christmas feel calmer and brighter when you’re not feeling festive
Meet our vendors
Stuart Drucker, Roath Market (Saturdays) and Riverside Market (Sundays), Cardiff
Stuart Drucker, Roath Market (Saturdays) and Riverside Market (Sundays), Cardiff
Deda Gheorge, Market Square, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Deda Gheorge, Market Square, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Nathan Dale, Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station
Nathan Dale, Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station
Vendor news
Letters: The world belongs to all of us – so let’s make it a kinder place
Letters: The world belongs to all of us – so let’s make it a kinder place
Former Big Issue vendor on inspiring Sam Fender: ‘It was just me and Sam. It was a teary moment’
Former Big Issue vendor on inspiring Sam Fender: ‘It was just me and Sam. It was a teary moment’
Opinion
Looking for a comfort watch this January? The Food Network is here for you
Looking for a comfort watch this January? The Food Network is here for you
Pensioners are skipping showers and cutting back on food as millions face poverty
Pensioners are skipping showers and cutting back on food as millions face poverty
Gambling harm is on the rise among children and young people. Action is long overdue
Gambling harm is on the rise among children and young people. Action is long overdue
How the groundbreaking Crisis and Resilience Fund can help end the need for food banks
How the groundbreaking Crisis and Resilience Fund can help end the need for food banks
Newsletters
Sign up to Survival Guide: The Big Issue’s cost of living newsletter with human stories at the heart
Sign up to Survival Guide: The Big Issue’s cost of living newsletter with human stories at the heart
Sign up to our free Inside the Big Issue newsletter
Sign up to our free Inside the Big Issue newsletter
Culture
40 years on, was Live Aid all for nothing? Or can we still be heroes?
40 years on, was Live Aid all for nothing? Or can we still be heroes?
When Bob Geldof launched his plea for a new generosity, he found that millions of ordinary people rallied behind him. It can happen again
Paddington’s enduring appeal speaks to the nostalgia he brings out in all of us
Paddington’s enduring appeal speaks to the nostalgia he brings out in all of us
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
Letter To My Younger Self
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
Sleaford Mods singer Jason Williamson: ‘I would definitely tell myself not to take Class A drugs’
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro: ‘Not even Usain Bolt had done what I’ve done’
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro: ‘Not even Usain Bolt had done what I’ve done’
Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scotland will definitely be independent much sooner than it feels right now’
Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scotland will definitely be independent much sooner than it feels right now’
Marie Kondo: ‘I didn’t think much about the opposite sex – I was completely absorbed in tidying’
Marie Kondo: ‘I didn’t think much about the opposite sex – I was completely absorbed in tidying’
Most popular
‘Explain to me why I’m homeless’: Rough sleeper’s rage tells us a lot about what’s keeping people homeless
‘Explain to me why I’m homeless’: Rough sleeper’s rage tells us a lot about what’s keeping people homeless
‘Frustrated, angry, exhausted’: Food banks forced to ‘throw out food donated by supermarkets’
‘Frustrated, angry, exhausted’: Food banks forced to ‘throw out food donated by supermarkets’
Disabled woman forced to quit job she loves after DWP support slashed: ‘I can’t make it make sense’
Disabled woman forced to quit job she loves after DWP support slashed: ‘I can’t make it make sense’
‘It’s devastating’: UK’s biggest companies locking autistic people out of jobs with personality tests
‘It’s devastating’: UK’s biggest companies locking autistic people out of jobs with personality tests
Life
I was born intersex but it was kept secret from me my whole life. I still live with the trauma
I was born intersex but it was kept secret from me my whole life. I still live with the trauma
Letters: The world belongs to all of us – so let’s make it a kinder place
Letters: The world belongs to all of us – so let’s make it a kinder place
Why everyone should give boxing a try, according to ex-world champ Jane Couch
Why everyone should give boxing a try, according to ex-world champ Jane Couch
Inside The Big Issue
Big Issue Invest appoints ex-CEO of Standard Bank as new Chair
Big Issue Invest appoints ex-CEO of Standard Bank as new Chair
Inside the Big Issue: The enduring magic of David Bowie