Our 2027 calendar: With love, Big Issue North

Across the world, thousands of people earn a living by selling a street paper. But the work offers more than an income: it can build confidence and self-esteem, support mental wellbeing and create a sense of belonging. 

Big Issue North is part of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), which brings together more than 90 street papers worldwide to create opportunities for people to earn an income and change their lives. 

With postcards from around the world as its theme, our 2027 calendar celebrates this global network. We wanted each page to offer a glimpse of life somewhere else while sharing a message from the people at the heart of the street paper movement. So, we reached beyond our borders and asked vendors around the world what selling a street paper means to them. 

With postcards from around the world as its theme, our 2027 calendar offers a glimpse of life somewhere else while sharing a message from the people at the heart of the street paper movement.

We heard from vendors in Australia, Brazil, Scandinavia, the United States and Canada. While their surroundings differ, one message came through clearly: the most meaningful part of the job is often the connection they build with the people they meet each day. Vendors repeatedly spoke about the value of being seen, being supported, having people to talk to and feeling part of the community around them. 

“I could say that, on a good day of sales, I come home with an empty backpack and no magazines left. But the truth is that a good day is not just about the number of magazines I sold,” says Lisa Rosa, a Revista Traços vendor in Espírito Santo, Brazil. “Of course, I am happy when I sell many, but there are days when I sell only a few – and they can also be great days.” 

Our 2027 calendar celebrates a network that stretches across cities, countries and continents, but it is also a reminder that some of the most important connections are built closer to home – between vendors and the people who stop to buy a magazine.

Although the vendors featured in our calendar are thousands of miles apart, their experiences echo those of Big Issue North vendors here in the North of England. While magazine sales provide income, it is often the conversations, familiar faces, and relationships built on pitches that make the biggest impression. 

“I’m always happiest when selling the magazine. Talking to my customers makes me happy,” says Joe, one of our vendors based in Prestwich. “Selling the magazine gets me out and about talking to people. That really cheers me up, even on a grim day when it’s wet, and business is slow.” 

Our 2027 calendar celebrates a network that stretches across cities, countries and continents, but it is also a reminder that some of the most important connections are built closer to home – between vendors and the people who stop to buy a magazine, share a conversation or simply say hello.  

Thank you to the customers and supporters whose kindness, time and purchases help make a difference every day. Through the voices of vendors around the world, these pages show how much those everyday interactions matter. 

 

Seasonal items like our 2027 calendar work to bolster and support sales during a particularly challenging time of year. Much like the magazine, vendors buy the calendar from their local Big Issue North office and then sell it to customers. All proceeds from the 2027 calendar go directly to the vendor you purchase it from.  

If you cannot reach your local vendor, calendars can also be bought online or through stockists who support Big Issue North’s wider work. All online purchases help people in need to earn an income and improve their lives.