Help support more vendors to create a better future
Make a contribution to help more people to earn, learn and thrive
A hand-up, not a hand-out
Selling the Big Issue is a hand-up, not a hand-out, and our team are here to support vendors to work their way out of poverty.
As well as enabling people to earn an immediate and legitimate income, selling the Big Issue also offers vendors access to our unique Hand Up Fund initiative, where vendors apply for items that will help them to improve their lives and gain independence.
Our team assess each vendor’s unique situation and ask them to make a contribution to demonstrate their commitment, usually around 20%, then we top up the rest.
This special fund is possible because of the generosity of our supporters and we manage it very carefully, making sure each pound spent goes towards supporting a vendor to thrive.