News

Introducing the new Big Issue agony uncle Mark Dempster…

Mark Dempster is a Harley Street addiction therapist, has a radio show with Russell Brand – and now he is The Big Issue's brand new agony uncle

Harley Street addiction therapist and counsellor Mark Dempster knows better than most the power of The Big Issue to help people on the road to recovery from addiction.

A former drug addict and dealer, and having served time in prison, Mark was a Big Issue vendor from 1993 to 1996, before he trained as a counsellor and launched his successful Harley Street practice. He and Russell Brand – cover star of this week’s new Big Issue, who spent time talking through the gamut of addiction issues with a group of the magazine’s vendors for our cover feature – co-present a radio show, We are Recovery Radio, on Zone One station.

And now Mark is teaming up with The Big Issue to offer advice to readers with issues of addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, the internet and more. His first column is online here and you can send questions to Mark in confidence at bigissueproblems@bigissue.com (let us know if you would like anonymity), with his advice appearing right here on our site. You can also get in touch directly via the contact for below…

[contact-form-7 id=”13433″ title=”Agony Aunt Form”]

Find out more about Mark’s work here.

And for first steps towards getting advice, here are a few sources of helpful information:

Drugs & alcohol: Addaction

Drugs advice: Talk to Frank

Alcohol: Drinkaware

Drinkline free helpline: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm)

Smoking: Smokefree NHS

Gambling: Gamcare

Gamcare free helpline: 0808 8020 133 (8am-midnight, seven days)

Watch the Pride special collection.

Our LGBTQ+ film playlist offers a new and interesting angle on LGBTQ+ love and struggle – giving an international overview by taking us inside some of the most and least sexually liberated countries in the world.  

Sign Up Now

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
Labour unveils plan for new housing on 'ugly grey belt land'. But is Starmer going far enough?
Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner announce new grey belt Labour housebuilding plan
Housing crisis

Labour unveils plan for new housing on 'ugly grey belt land'. But is Starmer going far enough?

Renting reforms risk 'trapping' victims of domestic violence with abusers, government warned
Renters Reform Bill domestic abuse warning
RENTING

Renting reforms risk 'trapping' victims of domestic violence with abusers, government warned

Sunak's call to end 'sick note culture' and reform benefits is 'demonising' disabled and sick people
Rishi Sunak during his speech on the UK's 'sick note culture'
Benefits

Sunak's call to end 'sick note culture' and reform benefits is 'demonising' disabled and sick people

Back to Black actor Eddie Marsan: 'There aren't any no-go areas in Tower Hamlets'
London

Back to Black actor Eddie Marsan: 'There aren't any no-go areas in Tower Hamlets'

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