Achievements

The Big Issue’s achievements are numerous and diverse. During the last seventeen years the organisation has worked with and on behalf of some of society’s most marginalised individuals, helping thousands of homeless and vulnerably housed people to take control of their lives. We have supported those on the fringes of society as they work to earn a legitimate income and to reintegrate into the mainstream. We have challenged and shaped public perceptions of homelessness, and have championed a variety of causes through the magazine. In doing so The Big Issue has become one of the world’s foremost social enterprises, creating a model which has been imitated time and again. Since the establishment of The Big Issue Foundation in 1995 we have met and worked with over 10,000 individuals, supporting them as they addressed issues around health, housing, finances, training, employment and aspirations.

IN THE WORDS OF OUR VENDORS…

“I became homeless following the painful break down of my marriage and after sleeping rough in several cities I ended up in London in 2004. I turned to The Big Issue as a last resort. The Big Issue helped me to get off the streets and into a hostel and after a few months I was given the opportunity to be a Vendor Coordinator. The Big Issue has helped me sort my life out so it is great to be able to help other Vendors out.”

“I am Polish. I’m sitting in a garden. It’s a lovely day in April. I’m resting from study during my Easter holiday. All around me a dinner party for my boyfriend is finishing. Bliss! All this wouldn’t be possible without help from The Big Issue. It was a year ago that I came to Great Britain. I’d got myself a job interview. I didn’t get the job. I’d arrived in the UK and now I had no job and no means to earn a living. Luckily my boyfriend knew The Big Issue offices in Birmingham.”

“In the past few months my life has started to change for the better. This is due in no small part to the efforts of The Big Issue Foundation in Bournemouth. My life has been all about drug addiction for the last thirty years but I genuinely feel I’ve made inroads into tackling the problem – both with help of the Foundation and through my own hard work.”

“At the age of 36, my marriage had broken down. I found it hard to be away from my children especially, and it wasn’t long before I had no home, let alone a family. I was sleeping rough, initially in a cemetery, and I soon found myself sleeping on the streets of towns and cities all over the country. I joined The Big Issue, and by October 2005 the Foundation had helped me get my own place through a lot of work on my behalf.”

“I have been selling the Big Issue for four years. I approached the Big Issue after six years of sleeping rough and relying on begging. Selling The Issue is helping regain my confidence. I don’t beg anymore. And it just makes it worth getting up in the morning.”

AWARDS

October 2008 The Big Issue was presented with the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year award.
November 2004 John Bird named BBC London Legend.
October 2004 Winner of United Nations Habitat Scroll of Honour Award.
May 1996 Shortlisted for United Nations ‘Best Practice’ Award.
June 1995 John Bird awarded the MBE for ‘services to homeless people’ by Her Majesty the Queen.