What You Helped Us Achieve in 2018-19

Over the last 12 months (April 2018-March 2019), your generous support enabled our network of Service Brokers to support 1,246 Big Issue vendors to become financially independent and overcome social exclusion. This resulted in 597 positive outcomes encompassing the following:

ACHIEVED PERSONAL SALES GOALS

93 outcomes enabling Big Issue vendors to achieve and exceed personal sales goals.

Bristol-based vendor Jack achieved his aim of selling over 200 mags in the seven days he was featured in The Big Issue’s popular My Pitch feature. This quantity

of sales enabled him to take a well-earned week off.

IMPROVED FINANCES AND MONEY MANAGEMENT

130 financial outcomes enabling Big Issue vendors to improve their budgeting skills, manage their money, open bank accounts and/or address any underlying debt issues.

With the help of her Service Broker in Birmingham, Daniella attended an appointment with the Young Parent's Careers Advisor. As a result, she is now able to claim additional income in support of her young family.

REHOUSED IN SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION

56 housing outcomes ensuring Big Issue vendors were supported to access safe and secure accommodation and prevented from future homelessness through ongoing tenancy support.

Kimberley was accompanied to sign a housing contract with Liberty Estate agents in Finsbury Park during December. Within two months, she progressed from living on the street in London to making a sustainable living selling The Big Issue and being permanently housed.

124 improved health outcomes enabling Big Issue vendors to register with a GP and access dental treatment, mental health and other specialist health services. Working in partnership with local health professionals, our Service Brokers identify the physical and mental health needs of vendors and make intelligent referrals to the appropriate health services.

In Oxford, Service Broker Elizabeth supported Dave to make and attend an appointment at the Rheumatology Department of the local hospital. He has been prescribed a course of steroid injections and is now experiencing less pain in his hands and feet.

ACCESSED ADDICTION TREATMENT

26 outcomes ensuring Big Issue vendors struggling with drugs and/or alcohol misuse were appropriately supported to access and remain engaged with addiction treatment programmes.

In Bath, Anthony was referred to the Beehive Centre where he is engaging with addiction treatment. He is now receiving specialist support from a drugs worker and beginning detox.

PROGRESSED INTO EMPLOYMENT AND/OR EXPLORED VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

75 outcomes supporting Big Issue vendors to explore career opportunities when they felt ready to move on from The Big Issue. This includes harnessing the transferable skills vendors learn by selling the magazine and helping them

update their CV, and with job search, interview coaching and completing job applications.

Having gained several qualifications through Southampton FC’s Saints Foundation employability programme, Julie successfully secured a stewarding job at near neighbours Bournemouth FC for the start of the 2018-19 season. She is now match-day stewarding for both Southampton and Bournemouth at weekends while supplementing her income by continuing to sell The Big issue during the week.

COMMENCED AN EDUCATION AND/ OR TRAINING COURSE

17 outcomes enabling Big Issue vendors to add to their skills set and pursue aspirations.

Adrian attended a taster session at Miss Macaroon’s, a social enterprise in Birmingham offering kitchen-based training courses to young people currently not in education, training or employment. He really enjoyed the session and is hoping to enrol while continuing to sell The Big Issue.

SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINED OFFICIAL ID

19 outcomes supporting vendors to gain official ID. A lack of ID is a huge barrier to vendors wishing to open a bank account, register an address and/or claim

benefits (e.g. housing support). The most common forms of ID required are a birth certificate and/or passport. Service Brokers support vendors to gather all necessary documentation and contribute towards the fee through the Vendor Support Fund, if necessary.

Pablo had lost his Citizen Card and was very worried that with Brexit he would be asked to leave the country having no official ID. We applied for a replacement online and it arrived within three weeks. He is considerably more relaxed having it.

IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS & ACHIEVED PERSONAL ASPIRATIONS

57 outcomes supporting Big Issue vendors to reconnect with family and achieve other personal aspirations.

Jim was delighted to be part of a Streetwise Opera production that recently performed at Nottingham Trent University. He has become an integral member of the Street Wise Team which has hugely benefited his physical and mental health. Jim was especially happy to see the friendly, familiar face of Service Broker Becky at the performance.

Help us to achieve even more in 2019-20: https://www.bigissue.org.uk/donate