Become a Free Big Issue Member
Are you living in poverty?
At Big Issue, we’ve worked for over 30 years to bring people out of poverty. We understand the day-to-day challenges that poverty inflicts upon people. And, if you’re living in poverty, we are here for you and want you to become a Big Issue member for free.
With over 14 million people in the UK living in poverty, it is all around us and it affects us all. The situation is out of control, and the government is failing to act swiftly enough.
But we believe in the power of communities coming together to make a change. Every day, people like you, local groups, and organisations are stepping up to create solutions that offer hope and opportunity.
As part of this, we’re offering anyone living in poverty a free membership to the Big Issue.
We know the challenges you’re facing, and we’re outraged by the growing poverty crisis in the UK. But we believe that, together, we can deliver the change that you deserve.
Free member benefits
When you become a free Big Issue member, you’ll receive:
- A digital welcome pack introducing you to our work, impact, and what it means to be a Big Issue member.
- A quarterly digital newsletter with updates on the positive change you’re helping create and the latest updates on the support we can offer you.
- A digital guide to taking action in your community.
- Digital access to our exclusive 2025 Poverty Zero Summit, where you’ll learn more about how to influence change and hear from experts and community leaders.
Support when you become a free Big Issue member
When you become a free Big Issue member, we’ll keep you updated on the latest support services, work readiness programmes, and resources that can help you build a better future.
You can learn more about our impact here.
How we can help:
Through Big Issue Recruit we help people facing barriers to employment. We offer personalised job support and a work readiness programme delivered by a dedicated job coach. This includes help with CVs, interview prep, and ongoing support for the first 3 months of your new job.
Start earning immediately by selling the Big Issue. Buy for £2, sell for £4, and choose your hours. Whether it’s full-time or extra income, we’ll help you find a pitch, accept cashless payments, and provide 5 free magazines to get you started.
Vendors and those working with us through our recruitment service can access help from our dedicated support teams across the UK. Our support includes financial assessments, housing assistance, access to health services, and help with food and fuel poverty, gambling issues, and other cost-of-living challenges.
We also work hard to campaign for change at a national level, pushing those in power to do more. Join our list of campaigners here.
Sharing stories of people affected by poverty is an important part of our campaigning. If you want your voice heard, please get in touch at publicaffairs@bigissue.com.
Big Issue in your community
Poverty is destroying our society, impacting more of our neighbours, friends, and families. The crisis is growing, and the government isn’t acting quickly enough. We can’t turn away.
Despite this grim reality, there is cause for optimism. Communities across the country are coming together in greater numbers than ever, committed to rebuilding from the ground up. Local people, businesses, and organisations are uniting to create solutions, offering hope that we can reverse the poverty crisis with collective action.
To support this, we’re launching a Big Community initiative, designed to bring local people together to find solutions to poverty in their areas, and to call for real government action on poverty. In addition to our member community, this initiative includes a community roadshow and a Poverty Zero campaign for bold new government legislation.
So, let’s unite, turn your anger into action, and become a free Big Issue member today.
Social justice journalism
Hundreds of thousands of universal credit claimants forced into destitution by DWP ‘deductions’
UK inflation holds at 2.2% – but it’s still a bleak picture for poorer people and benefit claimants
Prisoners are teaching each other to read. Here’s how it’s changing life behind bars amid a crisis
Millions of Brits ‘locked out’ of cycling due to complete lack of bike parking, report finds
