News

Derek's Story

A very big well done to Derek Doggett who has won the September Vendor Achievement Award in Oxford for his brilliant hard work. The Oxford Vendor of the Month Award has been running for two months, after it was inaugurated in August. Derek is our second winner. The award serves to recognise and reward the progress our vendors have made towards social and financial inclusion over the previous month. Winners are selected according to : general good conduct, attitude and commitment; efforts to improve sales; positive public feedback; and progress towards personal goals. Each month the staff team in Oxford consider candidates against these criteria when deciding on a winner.

Derek recently moved to Oxford and was new to the city, however despite this challenge, it didn’t stop him from building up a pitch and establishing a good relationship with the locals. He was determined to sell as many magazines as he could and managed to achieve his sales targets within a couple of months. He consistently achieved his target of selling an incredible 75 copies a week and established his pitch in a remarkably short space of time.

He is now working hard to achieve his aspiration of travelling overseas by bike in the new year, and is currently doing a build a bike course at Crisis Skylight in Oxford. Derek would love to go to Greece in particular, so this course along with a £20.00 voucher prize from Halfords will bring him closer to fulfilling his ambition.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Historian Darrin M McMahon on why we need to rethink equality for the modern age
Books

Historian Darrin M McMahon on why we need to rethink equality for the modern age

Reform came within 117 votes of Tories in Blackpool by-election. But it's 'far from an earthquake'
Blackpool South's new MP Chris Webb celebrates in an election which saw the Conservatives beat Reform UK into second.
Politics

Reform came within 117 votes of Tories in Blackpool by-election. But it's 'far from an earthquake'

Shell just made £6.2bn in quarterly profit. Here's how that money could be better spent
Environment

Shell just made £6.2bn in quarterly profit. Here's how that money could be better spent

Housing estate residents fear their family homes being bulldozed to make way for 'gentrification'
Housing

Housing estate residents fear their family homes being bulldozed to make way for 'gentrification'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know