Big Issue Support Service

Support Worker talking to a Big Issue vendor

Enabling and supporting people to earn and work their way out of poverty

Since we launched in 1991, our Big Issue Support Service has enabled over 108,000 vendors to sell 229 million copies of the Big Issue magazine and earn more than £154 million in income.

Our team sets people up as vendors so they can sell the magazine and earn an income from day one. They do this through:

Checking their ID to ensure they are over 18 and able to sell
Locating them a pitch to sell on
Providing them with five free copies of the Big Issue magazine to get started
Allocating a vendor badge to ensure the public know they are legitimate sellers
Enabling them with some sales tips and skills to start earning and engage with their customers

Five key areas of support

The Big Issue Support Services helps vendors access essential services across five key pillars. These help people get back on their feet and work towards a better future for themselves.

Housing: Access to and maintenance of secure, affordable, and stable homes
Health & Wellbeing: Access to adequate food, weather appropriate clothing, home energy, toiletries, and other essentials. Access to the right care and treatment for physical and mental health needs, including addiction support, registering with a GP and Dentist. And access to resources to sustain health.
Financial & Digitial Inclusion: Supporting individuals with budgeting, saving and debt support, financial advice and benefits services. Access and capability to use the internet to reach essential services and support with setting up and using a bank account. Access to enablers for active citizenship including gaining official ID, developing language skills, and establishing social networks.
Community & Environment – Working with local communities and community groups, to establish vendors as part of the community. Work with people affected by poverty in local communities including moving people from on street begging to vending, to enable people to earn a legitimate income and gain valuable social skills and interact with their communities.
Learning & Employment – Unlocking skills and training, identifying employment opportunities and working with staff on a one-to-one basis to build confidence and resilience to find and sustain employment.

Would you like to support the work of the Big Issue Support Service? Every contribution supports a vendor to earn, learn and thrive.

support here

Useful Information

Services

From helping vendors find their feet and make the most of the financial independence, to accelerating their journey out of poverty.

Find out more

Our Vendors

To find out more about our vendors, the stories and lives of the people who are working their way out of poverty.

CLICK HERE

Become a Big Issue Vendor

You can become a vendor today, in two simple steps.

Find out how, here

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