I learnt about the Big Issue Foundation quite recently, through a series of coincidences, not the least of which is that my next door neighbour works for the Foundation in Birmingham. I knew that Susannah had something to do with the Big Issue, but it was only when I happened to witness the tremendous support that she was providing towards an ex vendor (not even a current one!) that I began to realise that there was more to The Big Issue than selling magazines.
I learnt about the Big Issue Foundation quite recently, through a series of coincidences, not the least of which is that my next door neighbour works for the Foundation in Birmingham. I knew that Susannah had something to do with the Big Issue, but it was only when I happened to witness the tremendous support that she was providing towards an ex vendor (not even a current one!) that I began to realise that there was more to The Big Issue than selling magazines.
Susannah invited me to visit The Big Issue offices in Birmingham, and I saw her and her colleagues taking the time to chat to the vendors who came in, discussing whatever was on their minds and tactfully checking they were okay. When I told others at my firm all about the good, pragmatic, non-patronising help that the Foundation provides we agreed we wanted to get involved. We offered to man a weekly drop-in advice centre, and signed a team up to take part in a “Vendor day”.
And so in late April, eight of us turned up at the Big Issue offices for a morning of learning all about what the Foundation does. We learned of the minor miracles performed with next to no resources, and saw how their emphasis on giving people a hand up, not a hand out, is so effective.
Afterwards we were divided into two groups and went into Birmingham in order to sell the magazine. My pitch for a short time was outside of Waterstones on New Street. We were shown the basics by Big Issue vendor Michael, who very kindly gave up his pitch for us rank amateurs to take turns on.
What followed was humbling. I am a solicitor advocate, and have developed a pretty thick skin from being in court every day, but I found being ignored and avoided dreadful. To sell just one magazine I endured no end of exaggerated swerves, barked “no’s”, insincere apologies and even a “f**k off”. Psychologically, it was harder than appearing in front of the most difficult judge.
When the team at the Big Issue Foundation mentioned the London to Paris bike ride, I was sure that I wanted to do it, and also roped in my friend Rob. Rob was so enthusiastic that he immediately set about organising a comedy fundraiser.
