The Big Issue (an empowering street newspaper)

Big Issue

The Big Issue is a street newspaper founded by Lord John Bird. Homeless people sell the weekly newspaper on the streets to receive a portion of sales, and some also can take card payments. You can also subscribe online, with vendors earning up to £75 a year.

The Big Issue North focuses on the north of England.

How does The Big Issue magazine work?

Vendors sell the magazine for £5 and receive £2.50 from each one. If a vendor sells over 100 magazines a week, he or she can earn over £250.

To help new vendors, the organisation provides them with free magazines to jumpstart initial sales. To make first profits, without upfront investment.

Not just selling newspapers

Big Issue vendors also receive support in many other ways, once signed up to sell the newspaper, via ‘Hand Up pathways’:

  • Access to secure, affordable and stable accommodation
  • Access to food, weather-appropriate clothing, home energy and toiletries
  • Help for physical and mental health care needs
  • Access to Internet for essential services and financial transactions
  • Help with official ID and developing language skills

All of these are designed to help homeless people ‘find their feet’ in order to access secure stable accommodation, training and employment long-term.

New Future Pathways

If at a later date, vendors decide they wish to move on from selling the street newspaper, Big Issue helps them via:

  • Education and training (numeracy, literacy, civic and computer skills)
  • Community-based volunteer opportunities to develop skills and confidence
  • Help for entering the workplace, with local employment opportunities

A movement that’s gone worldwide

There are now over 90 similar projects worldwide. Find them at International Network of Street Newspapers.

How to help homeless people on the street

If you see someone sleeping rough, send a report to StreetLink, whose outreach teams visit rough sleepers at night. To help homeless people find benefits and accommodation (if the person is under 18, call 999).

How homeless people can help themselves

Homeless people can claim benefits, giving the address of a family member/friend, hostel or job centre. This helps to pay for food (and pet food), interview clothes and rent deposits.

People without bank accounts can use the government’s Payment Exception Service to collect benefits from a local post office or PayPoint outlet.

How to help homeless people with dogs

One great way to help is to have local shops use BillyChip, a token that can be given to homeless people, to pay for hot drinks or pets food. This complies with council advice not to give money, and helps also to prevent robbery.

Sign the Big Issue’s Campaign to end the practice of local councils refusing pets in emergency or temporary accommodation, as homeless people then remain on the streets, as they won’t part with their animal companions.

Read more on how to help dogs with homeless people.

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