TBIF Spring Summer Newsletter 2017

SPRING-SUMMER 2017

WORK OF ART

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p1 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

FOR VENDORS, SELLING THE BIG ISSUE IS A WORKLIFE BALANCE

NEWSLETTER SPRING-SUMMER 2017

CONTENTS Perfect Delivery 03 How Paul got a role at a newspaper and a train station Healthy Figures 04 How we work with vendors during Health Week Perfect Pitch (Cover story) 06 Dave gets a great selling spot and starts making art Week In The Life 08 Ana Potcoava – London Service Broker News From Around The Country 10 Mindfulness training and corporate placements Bowled Over 12 The Big Sleep Out gets ready to hit the Kia Oval stadium Vendor Support Fund 14 Health, home, aspirations: how you help vendors Moor The Merrier 16 From building a house boat to getting a new job

The Big Sleep Out returns, p12

WWW.BIGISSUE.ORG.UK/NEWSLETTERS Photography by Magnus Arrevad The Big Issue Foundation’s mission as a UK charity for people experiencing social and financial exclusion, is to connect vendors with the vital support and personal solutions that enable them to rebuild their lives; to determine their own pathways to a better future. Our vision is to end poverty and social exclusion. We do this by offering vulnerable people a holistic support package of work, support, and access to vital services. By empowering our beneficiaries to equip themselves with work and life skills, a home, healthcare, a reliable support network, and necessary every-day tools like a passport and bank account we get closer towards achieving our vision.

3rd Floor, 113-115 Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3HH Tel: 0207 526 3454 www.bigissue.org.uk Email: foundation@bigissue.com www.twitter.com/TBIF www.facebook.com/TheBigIssueFoundation Registered Charity No. 1049077 UNSUBSCRIBE INFO: If you wish to unsubscribe from our postal newsletters please call 0207 526 3458 or email foundation@bigissue.com

There is much to be said for a work-life balance, prioritising between the day job and outside lifestyle choices is not always easy. Sometimes life can feel like a circus.

The pressures of an increasingly demanding work culture can make it feel as though a person is balancing on a tightrope. Staying on top of the tensioned wire, with just an umbrella to off-set sway, you place one foot in front of the other, in pursuit of the other side.

It can be a precarious existence, even harder without the knowledge that a safety net will catch you if you fall. The wire stretches from poverty and exclusion to personal futures and destinations; futures with balance in both work and in life.

At The Big Issue Foundation it is our day job to work with vendors and help them access and maintain support with specialist services.

We know that there is strength in numbers and partnership work is key if we are to make a success of the journey along the wire.

We are here to help prevent the fall that can follow the stumble, to prevent a return to pressing homelessness and the relative chaos that is frequently common when someone first reaches out and begins to run their own affairs as a Big Issue vendor.

It is the job of this newsletter to illustrate the value, stories and outcomes of your concrete support. Through your commitment we seek to build frameworks that allow people to earn, to address and reduce income inequalities and establish networks to increase housing stability, personal health and wellbeing and education and employment opportunities. It is a journey of change and we are proud to walk it together.

‘A Week In The Life’ of Ana illustrates what we do on a daily basis.

This is the job of work that we do thanks to you. The day job can sometimes extend into the night, be it our recent Big Night Walk or our forthcoming Big Sleep Out. There are opportunities for all to be part of the process of change.

This newsletter highlights how we seek to reduce the barriers that make the journey harder. Be it the reduction of language barriers, employment barriers or simply being seen as available for new opportunity; Big Issue vendors are at work in our communities and are part of our communities. The support that comes from this can so frequently be transformative.

The journeys of featured vendors Dave and Ken have both been aided by their experiences and people around them as they work.

The confidence and self-esteem gained along the way has helped steady them and ready them for more. You will read how the support of the Birmingham New Street Network Rail team helped Ken secure new work in the construction industry and move on from his Big Issue career. I think everyone would agree with me when I say that is something we must build on!

There are always challenges ahead and obstacles to overcome. In many cities we are seeing growing numbers of children and adults living in poverty. Housing is increasingly being shared out unfairly.

People at the top of the ladder have a growing share of the space while overcrowding and lack of stable accomodation ruins lives for people at the bottom. There is more to be done.

Your gifts have such real value, all the more so because we are not funded from sales of The Big Issue magazine. This newsletter is here by way of recognition and illustration of the work that takes place as a result of the actions of our supporters.

My thanks to each and every person who takes action, supports vendors through buying magazines and understands and sees the value that a gift can bring to our charity.

Thank you one and all.

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p2 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

PERFECT DELIVERY

After a reconciliation with his family Paul has started working for a newspaper and vending in a rail station

In our winter newsletter we shared Paul’s story, a Big Issue vendor from Bristol who with your support was able to get ID, a bank account and a train ticket back to Leicester to spend Christmas with his estranged family. Paul had recently mended fences and healed old wounds and was finally ready to meet up with his family again.

Martha Luke, Service Broker at The Big Issue Foundation said: “Paul was very happy on his return after Christmas telling us he had cooked a Christmas dinner for his whole family and it went down very well.” She also hailed the positive changes Paul has made over the last year.

Since then, a lot of great opportunities have arisen for Paul. In February, he gained part-time employment with the Bristol Post handing out

newspapers in the mornings before he starts selling his Big Issues.

“I was really happy to get employment with the Bristol Post – they’d got in contact with the office looking for people to hand out newspapers in the mornings and I was really keen to put myself forward. Not only was it reliable, regular income throughout January, it is also good for me to have some up-to-date work experience on my CV. I have really enjoyed it so far as I have chats with passers-by first thing in the morning – getting my day off to a great start!”

Then in February he was selected for a pitch at Bristol Temple Meads station. This is our seventh Network Rail pitch and we are thankful to the station team for their belief in us and support

for Paul. Alongside Bristol Temple Meads we have pitches at Birmingham New Street, London Waterloo, Victoria, Liverpool Street, Kings Cross and Euston. These pitches allow vendors to build a solid customer base to increase sales and feel part of a wider team at Network Rail, with the bonus of shelter from the elements!

“I want to thank The Big Issue Foundation staff for setting up the Network Rail pitch. I attended an interview with Liam the Station Master who inducted me and showed me around.

Everyone has been really welcoming to me and I really feel part of the team. I am building up lots of regulars and all the customers have been really, really nice.”

Paul sold 190 copies in his first week.

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HEALTHY FIGURES The Big Issue Foundation works hard to promote healthier lifestyles among vendors, never more so than during Health Week

G

rants from trusts are extremely important to us. These grants allow us to maintain and develop our Service Brokerage support for vendors who are working hard to change the poverty of their situation.

Fair and appropriate access to health services is one of our major focus areas. It is a complex issue that has to be tackled from multiple angles in order to achieve a change in behaviour. Our Service Brokers develop and build links with local healthcare providers, advocating on behalf of Big Issue vendors to combat further exclusion from services. Simultaneously, vendors are encouraged to disclose health concerns and existing conditions so that appropriate referrals can be made. The less vendors have to worry about, the more time and energy they can put into growing their vending business, developing employability skills, and becoming financially independent.

Although health is a focal point throughout the year, it is perhaps particularly strongly addressed during our annual Health Week.

“My health has improved as a vendor and I have also had to be a health provider whilst on the streets – first aid is something I am good at and I was able to administer first aid as a representative of The Big Issue; I am proud of that.” KS, Birmingham We were fortunate to receive a donation from the Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust towards our last Health Week, which helped us to run a programme dedicated to improving all aspects of Big Issue vendors’ health through workshops, clinics, surveys and referrals.

Prior to Health Week commencing, our Service Brokers were busy sourcing contents to put in health packs. These contained scarves, gloves, hats, socks, toothbrushes,

toothpaste, soap, razors, condoms, and copies of The Pavement – a free magazine aimed at homeless people and filled with useful information like soup run and shelter locations – essential items that many are fortunate to take for granted and help support Big Issue vendors on their journey away from the street.

“The Big Issue and The Big Issue Foundation have helped me to be the flippers in the pinball machine rather than the pinball, without them I would still be homeless.” Mick, Birmingham Our Service Brokers also called on the support of local organisations to provide a schedule of accessible health support at and

– this is a huge step as this vendor hasn’t been registered with a GP for 20 years!

Meanwhile, in Bournemouth a vendor attended the NHS nurse drop-in where he revealed his swollen leg. It was the first time he had spoken to health services about this – the nurse diagnosed a serious abscess and he was referred to his GP for further care. This may have been left undetected if he had not come to our drop-in clinic.

Other highlights included the NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning group inviting vendors to share their experiences of homeless healthcare services to help around Big Issue distribution centres and at reshape how they are delivered, and vendors’ pitches. This included healthy having our Romanian-speaking Service breakfasts, a healthy-eating session, health Broker Ana translate the Health Week checks and GP registration, mental health questionnaire so that more vendors had advice sessions and outreach, stop smoking advice sessions, aromatherapy and massage ses- the opportunity to share with us.

A big warm thank you to all the people sions, drug and alcohol misuse advice, HIV, TB, and organisations that made Health Week hepatitis and sexual health test drop-ins, and a possible. To find out more about how podiatrist session. charitable trusts and foundations can These in-house clinics and drop-in sessions support the work of The Big Issue really do make a difference. One of our Bristol Foundation please call our Grants vendors had not been engaging with vendor Manager, Anna Kostyrina, on 020 7526 services very much. However, during health 3451 or email her at anna.kostyrina@ week he took part in a health screening and bigissue.com. registered as a patient at a local medical centre

THE LESS VENDORS H AV E T O W O R R Y A B O U T THE MORE THEY CAN FOCUS ON GROWING THEIR BUSINESS

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HEALTH

WEEK!

107

12%

health surveys completed

of vendors are registered with GP and 53% of those not yet registered would like to register.

are registered with their local health care team

40%

of vendors reported having health problems

43%

of vendors reported dental problems

73% 26%

of vendors are registered with a dentist.

Of those who are not registered, 29% would like to register.

32%

of vendors reported having problems with their feet (podiatry)

OVER 150 HEALTH PACKS DISTRIBUTED.

Hats, socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, razors, condoms, The Pavement magazine (contents varied by region)

Do you have any mental health difficulties?

Yes – 29% No - 60% N/A – 11%

If yes, are you in touch with a mental health practitioner or agency worker?

Yes - 36% No – 61% N/A – 3%

Staff member at housing/ homelessness project/ The Big Issue

Who helps you most when it comes to your health?

Nobody Friend/Peer Drug worker

Homeless Healthcare Team Alcohol worker A&E staff *please tick all that apply at the bottom of ‘Who helps you the most when it comes to health’?

38% of vendors reported having an addiction.

Of these vendors, 54% reported being in touch with a drug and alcohol/addiction agency THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p5 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

PERFECT A regular, friendly spot selling in London has given Dave the confidence that has seen him get a flat and start making art

I

’m from Derby originally but I’ve done a fair bit of travelling; I’ve been to Leeds, York, Nottingham. Eventually I found myself in London. I was living on the streets, begging, when a vendor came up to me and said that I could be doing something better, making my own living. He told me about The Big Issue and I decided to give it a go: earn a living, get some self-respect.

Now I do the same when I see homeless people. I tell them about The Big Issue and how they can get badged up. I also carry extra copies of The Pavement with me so I can give those out – it’s got useful information inside like day centres and shelters.

The old Vauxhall office was a landmark. That’s where I used to get my mags from. It’s an estate agent's now. There’s loads of estate agents round Hammersmith too; along one street there’s at least five. My pitch is nearby, just outside Brook Green Tesco. I’ve built up a good customer base and made some good friends along the way too. It’s sad to see them go when they move.

My first pitch was at Victoria. The first day there was emotional, and an eye-opener. People ignored me. That still happens. But I concentrated on sales and things picked up. Everyone was always rushing through Victoria. It’s what I call a commuter pitch – everyone rushing to get to the office.

I sold the magazine at Euston for a while. That was what I call a travellers’ pitch. Very few regulars, hard to get a customer base going. In Hammersmith I’m at what I call a residential pitch. I see the same people every day and when I’m not there people worry, they expect me to be there 24/7 and they miss me if I’m not there! It’s nice, and I like it in Hammersmith, I’d like to live here.

I’m on my pitch between 1pm and 6pm come rain or shine. A lot of people say to me: “I don’t know how you do it” but it’s just layers. Sometimes you’ve got to front it up, you know? I’ll be freezing but I have to stay happy. I need to sell a certain amount of mags to pay my way but I’m not out to get rich, I’m happy with what I do. I do find that there’s a lot of generosity from people who are not that well off themselves.

About four weeks ago I moved into my own little

flat. One bedroom in Tottenham. St Mungo’s helped me to get it and I’d like to say a special thank you to them. It’s part of the Homes for Haringey initiative to get people out of supported accommodation and into permanent housing. I was at St Ignatius before, for about three years. I like St Mungo’s, they helped me before when I needed a hostel place, and they help people with dogs. A lot of people stay on the streets because they have dogs and few places will let them in.

I’m making a living, I’m self-employed, I’m independent. My confidence has increased a lot. What is it they say? Practice makes perfect! When you meet friendly people, that makes all the difference, that’s helped my confidence a lot. And The Big Issue Foundation supporting me, that’s helped a lot too. I’m a lot more confident now, because of all these opportunities through the Foundation and the magazine.

When I was asked to be part of the Bryan Adams photoshoot for The Big Issue magazine I didn’t know what to expect. There were eight of us and it took a while, we had to do all different poses to get the image right. I was there for a couple of hours I reckon. I’ve still got the double feature.

I went to an interactive exhibition at the Tate Modern with other vendors and Service Brokers. And I was at the House of Lords representing The Big Issue when the BBC was filming a documentary there.

I did the Night Walk in 2016, which is The Big Issue Foundation’s fund- and awareness-raising half-marathon sponsored walk through London, and I was also selected for an indoor pitch at Northern Trust in Canary Wharf.

While on this placement, I suddenly felt very creatively inspired and I started making abstract art.

I use coloured card. Someone told me it looks a bit like Matisse – I didn’t realise.

I have a piece I call “Borderline”, and another one called “Star”. I’ve made two albums, with 36 pieces per album, and I’m working on a third. I’d like to make a living from it and I’ve entered two pieces into the Royal Academy summer exhibition. We’ll see if anything comes of it. So I suppose you could say that the Foundation has inspired me; I became inspired. I’d like to say a big THANK YOU TO THE BIG ISSUE AND THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION!

ABOUT FOUR WEEKS AGO I MOVED INTO M Y O W N L I T T L E F L AT

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PITCH

OUR FRIENDS AT NORTHERN TRUST Naomi Venn, Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications EMEA said: “The Big Issue Foundation provides valuable support and services to hard working vendors, and we are delighted to be able to open up our office to provide some extra opportunities for vendors to increase their selling capacity and provide some stability in a new environment. It has been really positive to see Dave, our most recent vendor, grow in confidence over the course of his placement with us and we wish him well in his next chapter.”

Northern Trust’s signature volunteering programme, Northern Trust Community Partners, offers all permanent employees the opportunity to spend two paid days out of the office each year to support charity and community initiatives.

Some employees have spent time with Big Issue vendors on the streets of London, helping them sell magazines to the public to gain a greater understanding of the challenges facing vendors and the work The Big Issue Foundation does.

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A W EEK IN T HE L IF E

ANA POTCOAVA , SERVICE BROKER IN LONDON MOND AY

By far our busiest day in the office, so most of our outreach today will be reactive.

This means that rather than dealing with non-urgent matters, we speak to anyone having issues right away. I talk to Alex about the benefits of going to his therapy Tai Chi class, and encourage him to not miss it again.

In the afternoon, my colleague Emmie and I have a meeting with the local authority regarding a begging hotspot.

We offer people legal ways of making an income – such as selling the magazine – along with the much-needed support from other agencies. We will also work with the PCSO and railway staff to ensure potential vendors aren't approached by drug dealers in the area. The more agencies we bring in on this, the more chances we give people.

T UE SD AY

Following conversations I had with some female Roma vendors during Health Week, I have been trying to put together more information about family planning.

The challenge here is that a large amount of them do not speak English. I put the information together in Romanian.

The leaflet that results will be circulated among our team and used nationally. Some of our projects and campaigns have very long-term goals.

Maybe this generation of young Roma women will not make full use of their options when it comes to contraception, but we are raising awareness. This gives the next generation a chance to make more informed choices.

W EDNE SD AY

I meet up with Dion, one of our vendors who wants to beat his alcohol addiction.

He finds sleeping on the streets is a major push to consume. He has been in touch with agencies, but it feels like the rate of progress punishes his decision more than it rewards it. It’s frustrating to see a person who wants to change, but hasn’t

got access to the resources he needs. He is not a unique case, and problems can range from addiction to class A drugs to a first step on the journey to managing mental illness. Finding the right environment people can talk in and gain confidence and support is where we come in. By helping the process along we bring new hope to the lives of those who struggle.

T HUR SD AY

I go to Liverpool Street where I catch up with anyone buying magazines. I’m happy to find out that Alex has attended his Tai Chi class, a major step forwards, engaging with society. He is very excited about his next one. We also talk about the chance of a corporate placement with a law firm.

While on the subject, Vince approaches to enquire about a pitch in Liverpool Street station – again an opportunity I think would suit him. I also offer another one of our vendors help through the Vendor Support Fund for a phone. I will speak to my colleague Lauren about all the placement interests I’ve just had. They are all strong candidates so this is a great opportunity for them.

F R ID AY

It’s been a busy week and I’m looking forward to the next edition of the magazine. I have a quick lunch meeting with one of my fundraising colleagues, discussing an upcoming event – The Big Night Walk. It sounds great and it will be my first time. The public is encouraged to attend and fundraise, so it brings together our supporters and our vendors, giving everyone a clearer picture of what The Big Issue family is all about.

In the afternoon I make sure I’ve seen everyone and kept good records of anything that changed – accurate record keeping is a must. Next week we have a national Service Brokers’ meeting. It will be good to exchange tips and tricks. Their expertise is invaluable so the meeting should be a great opportunity.

(Names and details have been changed.)

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p8 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

"IT'S FRUSTRATING TO SEE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO CHANGE BUT HASN'T GOT ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES"

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p9 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY MINDFULNESS TRAINING, CORPORATE PLACEMENTS, SALES TRAINING VIDEOS, A SOCIOLOGY STUDY AND THE DEATH OF A MUCH-LOVED COLLEAGUE

SOUTH WEST We have welcomed Sam Wood, a History

student from the University of Bristol, to our team on work experience. Sam will be helping out in the office and going out on outreach every Thursday. He will be supporting our GRT (Gypsy, Roma, Traveller) drop-in group on Thursday mornings, with a focus on addressing issues this community faces and linking them up with relevant services that fully understand the barriers our GRT vendors face and can provide support to overcome these.

Victim Support held an informal information session at the Bristol centre, so that vendors know where to get support if they have been affected by a crime.

In Bath we introduced a sales training video for new vendors. This has got a really positive response and is a great tool for helping vendors during their first couple of days on pitch.

The Bath office also hosted a group of National Citizen Service volunteers for two homeless help action days. They screen printed 200 Big Issue Supporter bags for vendors to give away with magazines to their customers.

And finally, we are very pleased to report that we now have four lovely vendors in Weston Super Mare: Pete, Robin, John and Matthew. We ran some sales training workshops and have linked up with services in the area including 1 in 4 People (a mental health support organisation), Addaction and North Somerset Citizens Advice Bureau so that we can support our new vendors to move forward.

VICTIM SUPPORT HELD A SESSION SO VENDORS KNOW WHERE TO GO IF AFFECTED BY CRIME

OXFORD LONDON

The future is looking bright for three vendors who have just started corporate placements. Nicolas is the first Romanian vendor in London to succeed in a corporate pitch, and we hope many others will follow.

Phil, who is an experienced broadcaster, is hoping to enrich his resume and receive some training during his time at Simmons and Simmons, with the end goal of returning to the microphone, and we are here to support him through the journey.

While filling up these placements, our team has also been very busy creating new possibilities for those we work with. The oldest London food market, located in Southwark, now hosts two permanent pitches, occupied by Keith and Paul. The skills learned during time spent

administering such pitches are invaluable for both. On the subject of increasing employability, Rob has nailed his interview for a trainee barista with Change Please, an organisation that trains people at risk to prepare and merchandise coffee from mobile carts as a means for attaining financial inclusion. We are just waiting for a start date, and hopefully he will be one of many referrals made to them.

Both vendors and staff are taking part in a Mindfulness-based living course that we are hosting in partnership with Heart UnLimited. This will be running for eight weeks in Waterloo at one of The Big Issue distribution points. The aim of the sessions is to equip participants with better tools to manage stress, anxiety, and self-awareness.

The impact this type of self-reflection could make cannot be overstated.

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p10 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

With the opening of the new Westgate shopping centre in Oxford later in the year, exciting recruitment opportunities are around the corner. As such, employability has been the focus in our office and we are thinking of new ways to engage vendors in taking those first steps to getting workready. We are working with a local education provider to accredit our vendors’ customer service skills.

Taking inspiration from work undertaken by the Bath office, we will be facilitating the provision of a City & Guilds Level 1 award in Employability Skills.

This will be a great opportunity to recognise the excellent work our vendors are doing out on pitch while enhancing their CVs and increasing their employability. Beyond this we will be looking to support our vendors to access further routes into vocational training.

DORSET & HAMPSHIRE

After a tough time, Bill Webb (pictured), our Bournemouth vendor moved into a local authority flat. Bill said: “I found myself back in my tent last August feeling pretty down.

However I was persuaded by the team in Bournemouth to engage with Street Services, and by October they found me a place in supported accommodation which saw me indoors for Christmas. I was advanced on the housing list due to the supported accommodation losing its funding and was very lucky to be offered the first place I saw. The flat had no furniture but thanks to The Big Issue Foundation’s Vendor Support Fund and also Homes for Heroes (which I was put in touch with by The Big Issue Foundation), Chloe my dog and I now have a fully furnished and comfortable home with a lifetime tenancy at a rent we can afford.”

Two Sociology Student from Bournemouth University recently completed a 20-day placement with us studying high-selling vendors and their techniques.

We’re utilising their findings to create bespoke, in-depth sales training to support new and- low-selling vendors. We’re also using their customer buying profiles to plan how and where we raise awareness in the most effective way.

We are delighted to highlight the exceptional endeavours of James who sells consistently in the Christchurch area and is very friendly towards staff and vendors alike. He has recently saved towards his replacement passport with the help from the Vendor Support Fund which he is using to travel to Calais and volunteer with refugees. Well done, James!

the end of March. He has accessed the Vendor Support Fund to get some smart trousers to wear for his work placement.

The Birmingham team has continued to attend multi-agency meetings. Our partnership work with city centre enforcement, railway station staff, West

WELL DONE VENDOR JAMES WHO IS VOLUNTEERING WORKING WITH REFUGEES Midlands Police, and British Transport Police is focused on preventing and resolving issues that arise from rogue vendors and beggars bullying our vendors.

This work strengthens our position in the city and will hopefully help with recruiting new vendors.

NOTTINGHAM We are extremely saddened by the death of

our friend and colleague Danny Derby. He was much loved by the vendors and Big Issue workers alike and he had a genuinely calming and thoughtful approach to working with people.

Danny worked for The Big Issue for a number of years and we are left with many happy memories of him. We all miss him very much and his family and friends are in our thoughts.

We have successfully used the Vendor Support Fund to help people with getting ID, in particular their birth certificates.

This is something we can offer when we first meet people, which helps with building relationships with vendors. Having verifiable ID has helped many people with setting up bank accounts, getting access to accommodation and generally feeling more confident in accessing other services and support. Lack of ID was previously identified by vendors as a barrier they were experiencing regularly.

Vets in the Community continue to provide a fantastic fortnightly free vet clinic at The Big Issue office aimed at people who are homeless or vulnerably housed.

A number of our vendors use this invaluable service to ensure their animals are healthy and well.

BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham’s New Street Station now has its second Big Issue vendor on the designated pitch inside the station! Eftenoiu Paun attended an interview with New Street’s manager, where we explained Paun’s dedication to work and the long hours he has worked since he started selling The Big Issue. He is thrilled to be selling in the station, in the city he now calls home.

We took him on the proviso he would attend our ESOL class, which he did for two years. He then decided that Birmingham’s streets would be 'his school' and so continued his learning through talking to customers and making friends. He has lived in a squat, slept rough outside Birmingham Museum and lived on a friend’s sofa since he arrived in the city. As of today he has been offered accommodation with a provider he was referred to over a year ago.

This provider is offering a room specifically for people with no recourse to public funds and he has arrived at the top of their waiting list. He is going to look at the room and hopefully sign the paperwork, meaning he'll have secure accommodation for six months.

Mihai has been accepted on to the Ready for Work scheme and is due to start his work placement at Marks and Spencer at

L A NGUAGE OF L OV E

Romanian Carmen provides volunteer translating services helping Roma vendors communicate with customers "I came from Romania to the UK in December 2013 to do care work.

After nine months, I became a Care Coordinator. I love my job as I love to help people and when I saw The Big Issue Foundation was looking for translation volunteers I really wanted to get involved.

It’s been an eye-opening experience for me. I’ve been able to help staff work with people who are in real crisis so I really feel like I’m making a difference, which is what I THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p11 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

wanted. I’ve been translating at a weekly drop-in for the Roma vendors. They often face discrimination in their day-to-day lives but with our help they are able to tackle this and it’s great to see them take control and live full and happy lives here in the UK. Volunteering at The Big Issue Foundation is a lot of fun too – I went to the City Farm with vendors for the afternoon looking at all the animals and gardening."

Martha, our Service Broker in Bristol said: “Carmen is an amazing member of our team who has supported all our Romanian speaking vendors with so much positive stuff.

With her support we have had two vendors access stop smoking services, 18 vendors speak with a mental wellbeing service during health week, 10 enrol with ESOL classes at St Mungo’s Recovery College, and too many vendors to count engaging with SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality) and the Avon and Bristol Law Centre to get support around housing, community care and dealing with being victims of discrimination and racism.

Carmen helps during the National Career Service’s CV appointments, which enables vendors to move into employment, and she also translates during our in-house Outcome Star Reviews, thereby allowing us to effectively monitor all of our vendors’ progress.”

BOWLED OVER T International cricket ground the Kia Oval plays host to the next Big Sleep Out, an opportunity to raise money and engage with our mission on a whole new level

he Big Sleep Out is one of The Big Issue Foundation’s flagship fundraising events. The event has attracted 460 participants over the years and raised in excess of £113,000 to support Big Issue vendors. This will be the seventh Big Sleep Out run by The Big Issue Foundation, our biggest to date, and will take place at the Kia Oval, an international cricket ground in south London and one of the oldest and most historic stadiums in the world.

The Big Sleep Out has taken place in many different venues from empty warehouses to disused railway tunnels, but we expect sleeping out in the stadium’s stands in the open air to present participants with the biggest challenge yet. This year’s challenge will highlight some elements of the harsh reality of rough sleeping in the winter months, as well as including traditional highlights such as the panel discussion with Big Issue vendors who will share their own stories about their experiences.

"It was such an amazing fundraiser. I now feel as though

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p12 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

PHOTOGRAPHER: MAGNUS ARREVAD

all misconceptions have been cleared up and I have a far better understanding of how exactly the charity helps its vendors, and I have so much respect for them. To be able to pick yourself up and be so determined to better their situations in any way they can is very courageous and inspiring!" – Former Big Sleep Out Participant This year’s Big Sleep Out exciting line-up also features the return of The Adam Street Singers, whose performance was loved by participants at the 2015 Big Sleep Out! We will also be screening ‘Sleeping Rough', a community-based film raising awareness of street homelessness in the UK. The docu-drama film will be the product of over a year's worth of interviews with rough sleepers, members of the homeless community living in hostels and shelters, charity leaders and local council members.

Last year’s Big Sleep Out was a huge success raising over £25,000 to support our work. Over 80 supporters travelled down to St John’s Church in Waterloo, London, from all over the UK and beyond. The night saw participants welcomed with a fantastic live performance from Citi Choir, followed by a welcome speech from Stephen Robertson, CEO of The Big Issue Foundation. Participants were then shown a documentary under the theme of ‘Home’, created by Chocolate Films. Afterwards, the group came together for the highlight of the event – the insightful

T H E S L E E P O U T H A S TA K E N P L A C E I N E M P T Y W A R E H O U S E S A N D D I S U S E D R A I LW AY T U N N E L S A N D N O W I N A S TA D I U M

and interesting panel discussion. Current vendors George and Paul, and former vendors Joel and Viv, had a truly insightful and captivating discussion showing many a new insight into the work that The Big Issue Foundation does.

After the panel discussion, our participants grabbed their final warm drinks and snacks before rolling out their sleeping bags for the uncomfortable night ahead.

They were joined by Stephen Robertson, CEO, who said: “Poverty and exclusion is on the increase and one of the most disturbing signs is seeing people sleeping on the streets. Our service team establish routes away from rough sleeping as one of our very first priorities. I took part in this event to raise awareness of the work that we do, and the stories of the people that we support.”

When the morning came round our tired sleepers slowly packed up their things, grabbed a light breakfast and headed off. They may have been heading back to their homes, but they left with a deeper insight into the challenges faced by Big Issue vendors, and the support, guidance and opportunities provided by The Big Issue Foundation.

Registration is now open for the next Big Sleep Out on Friday 17 November 2017. It costs just £25 to register and we ask that participants set a fundraising target of £350. We are expecting it to fill up fast and you can INTERESTED IN OTHER BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION CHALLENGES? The Big London Night Walk is taking place early March 2018 and you can read more and join in at www.bigissue.org.uk/walk. For more information about any of our events please call the team on 020 7526 3459 or email events@bigissue.com.

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p13 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

THANK YOU

VENDOR SUPPORT FUND

How your generosity helps Big Issue vendors move on with their lives The Big Issue Foundation is an independently funded registered charity and 98% of our work is made possible through voluntary donations.It is only because of the generosity, commitment and belief of our supporters that we are able to do our work, which is to connect vendors with services and personal solutions that enable them to rebuild their lives.

Your generous gifts allow us to provide a Vendor Support Fund (VSF), which vendors throughout the UK can apply for. The VSF gives a small hand-up to vendors

so they can reach concrete goals, maybe buying equipment to start a course or a ticket to reconnect with family. Vendors save and contribute a minimum of 20% towards the cost of the item required. We provide up to 80% from our donated funds to help vendors achieve their aspirations.

The simplest of items, which many people take for granted, can mean everything to a Big Issue vendor. Below are some examples of how your gifts are put to use to support vendors along their journeys towards a better life.

TO ALL THE PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS THAT MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE, INCLUDING: MOMA Porridge Emily from SARI Vets in the Community Homeless Health Team Emmanuel House The Friary Street Outreach Team Nottingham Law Centre Opportunity Nottingham The Health Shop Nottingham Recovery Network Nottingham Playhouse Financial Inclusion Support Patrick Power and the staff of Network Rail at Birmingham New Street Station

HOUSING

John lives in private rented accommodation with his family. He is happy there but their washing machine was old and unreliable.

And there’s a lot of washing to be done! Jon was unable to cover the cost of a new one but thanks to support from our VSF and the Sofa Project, John was able to source a refurbished second-hand machine for £110 and contributed 50% himself from the savings he built up through our Vendor Saving Scheme (VSS).

HE ALTH

Kevin’s eyesight was deteriorating.

Hannah from The Big Issue Foundation helped him get a prescription for a pair of varifocal glasses. Kevin had an NHS voucher but needed glasses that could easily switch from clear to dark.

Hannah helped him find a good pair. The total cost (after the NHS voucher was subtracted) was £177.50. Kevin saved up £50 in the VSS and the remaining 72% was granted by the Foundation. Kevin’s eyesight is now improving.

Jonathan, Audrey, Yvonne and the volunteers at the Salvation Army’s Way Ahead Project in Leamington Spa Paul Barnett, Retail BID Business Support Officer The Anton Jurgens Charitable Trust London Catalyst The Alchemy Foundation The Syder Foundation The Anson Charitable Trust

ASPIR ATIONS

Laura has been studying acupuncture. She has successfully undertaken a couple of programmes funded by her Big Issue earnings. She wanted to further her studies by attending a four-day London workshop seminar costing £450 to increase her knowledge and qualifications.

She used the VSS to save up 66% .

The Foundation then released the remainder of the funds through the VSF to help Laura achieve her goal of being a qualified practitioner.

FINANCIAL INCLUSION

Although James is currently sofa surfing and sleeping rough he uses his passport to book hostels and B&Bs when funds permit.

Unfortunately he lost it. So James applied for a VSF contribution towards the cost of a new passport – £72.50. He saved up 28% and was awarded the remaining funds.

“Thank you for the support with replacing my passport so I can grab nights in hostels and have time to move around," he said.

Some names have been changed

The Farrer & Co Charitable Trust The Relief Chest Scheme The Constance Travis Charitable Trust The Albert Hunt Trust Helianthus Charitable Trust The Persula Foundation The Jarman Charitable Trust The Richard Cadbury Charitable Trust The Sir James Roll Charitable Trust The K W Charitable Trust

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p14 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017

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the drink for nearly four years. When I got out of jail I thought "this is going to be hard" but I haven’t touched any. It has its bad times when I’m tempted to have just one can but I know that would lead to another can.

I’d sold The Big Issue before but I came back to it at the beginning of this year. When I put out CVs I always say that I’ve sold The Big Issue and so know how to

I W A S I N T R O U B L E A L O T– A LW AY S D O W N T O D R I N K – AND IN AND OUT OF JAIL

MOOR THE MERRIER Working on a small house boat has given vendor Ken the inspiration to move into a new line of work

K

en started vending in Birmingham in February 2015. He is a returning vendor. In October 2016 he was featured in the My Pitch column in The Big Issue: “At the moment I’m living on a derelict boat in Bedworth that I’m doing up. I’ve got a sleeping bag on there, and a kettle. Each day selling the magazine I have to make £10.30 – to cover my train fare and the £20 a week it costs for mooring. I’m hoping to make enough money to get a little log burner. That should make it just about warm enough to keep the condensation out and make it viable as my permanent home.

I lived on the water a long time ago. When my parents were alive they had a houseboat so I stayed on there with them when I was about 15. I was always in trouble though – always down to drink – and I was in and out of jail. It got too much for my mum to bear, telling the neighbours I was in jail again, so I left home.

Due to The Big Issue, and jail as well, I’ve been off

handle money. Selling has also given me people skills. I talk to my customers, I don’t just stand there and shout: “Big Issue, Big Issue!” I heard a few weeks ago that a customer wrote into the magazine to say that I was a complete gent. That’s cool.

I’d love to work on boats one day. I’m trying to learn to make my own rope fender for the front of the boat. I keep watching a guy who can do it and the idea is that maybe in future I could have a go at making and selling them. I’d love to find another spot closer to Birmingham but with mooring costs and without an engine it looks like for the foreseeable future I’m staying in Bedworth.

I love Stephen King, at the moment I’m reading Christine again. I probably know it by heart – but stick with the books you love, that’s what I say. I also like to collect coins. I got my best one last week from a charity shop. It’s a 20p and its worth about £30 as it hasn’t got a date on it. But I don’t want to sell it unless I have to.”

Ken has been keen to improve his situation and has taken advantage of the support offered by The Big Issue Foundation. Ken was referred to a GP to get his heart condition looked into and took part in a 12-week gym programme.

In November 2016 Ken was selected to take up a prime pitch inside Birmingham’s busy New Street train station. This was made possible thanks to our wonderful partnership with Network Rail.

A designated pitch on a station concourse provides a vendor with a chance to sell the magazine in an area of consistently high footfall, as well as offering a more sheltered and comfortable working environment. A prime and secure pitch at Network Rail acknowledges vendors’ dedication to their personal micro businesses.

Big Issue vendors are visible in day-to-day station life and offer a warm welcome and an enhanced customer service experience to people arriving in the city of Birmingham.

Ken was chosen to be the first vendor at Birmingham New Street due to how keen he is to look for new opportunities and to continue his personal progress. He demonstrated an aptitude for being successful in his role as a vendor.

We’re very pleased to report that at the end of December Ken was recruited by a local construction company to join a team of workers in the Redditch area.

Ken had previous experience of working in construction and while vending on the Network Rail pitch he made fresh employment contacts which enabled him to take up a job which suited his skills and abilities. When we caught up with Ken to find out how he is getting on he said things are going well for him and that he is enjoying his new employment within the building trade.

THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p16 / SPRING-SUMMER 2017