On a mission

We believe that everyone deserves the chance to earn an income. No matter someone’s background or their circumstances, they should be empowered to build stability and be part of a community. 

That belief is what drives Big Issue North. Every day, our teams in Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds support people to buy and sell The Big Issue. Our vendors are often people who have been excluded from mainstream opportunities; for example, they may be facing homelessness, dealing with poverty, addiction or mental health challenges or experiencing immigration issues. 

Selling The Big Issue gives them an accessible, dignified way to earn money. Vendors buy magazines for £2 and sell them for £4, keeping the profit. There’s no contract, no prior experience or qualifications needed. We don’t ask for bank statements or proof of address. It’s work that’s flexible, immediate and available for anyone who needs to make some money. 

It is also work that is empowering. Being a Big Issue vendor can provide people with structure to their day and a sense of purpose. This, along with feelings of pride and connection, has proven to be a key building block in recovery and long-term change. It helps to build people’s confidence and self-esteem. 

Support in more ways than one 

Alongside magazine sales, our regional staff support vendors in various, impactful ways. This can include providing practical forms of help, for example, with housing, accessing healthcare, or navigating benefits systems. It may be completing ‘life admin’ like applying for a new ID, joining a GP surgery, setting up mobile phones, or getting food parcels. These acts can be life-changing in the sense that they remove long-standing barriers that have kept some people in crisis.  

Our teams also play a vital role in supporting people who have experienced stigma, social isolation, or exclusion. Many of our vendors are often underrepresented or marginalised, including women, immigrants, and members of the Roma community. Around 66% of our vendors are non-British, and nearly half of all vendors are female. For many in these groups, selling the magazine is one of the few viable ways to generate income safely and independently. Our commitment to inclusivity is clear in the diversity of our vendor community, and in the work we do to make sure every vendor feels welcomed, supported. 

Why Big Issue North 

The North West of England faces some of the highest rates of poverty and homelessness in the country. Years of economic inequality and cuts to local services have left many people in difficult circumstances. 

We are working to change lives on both a personal and systemic level: offering people immediate support while also campaigning for a fairer, more equitable society. Much of this campaign work involves standing up against the forces that keep people in cycles of poverty. 

By amplifying real voices and sharing authentic stories, we aim to help break down harmful stereotypes, drive public understanding, and encourage meaningful community support; whether it’s responding to public complaints with patience, supporting vendors struggling on their pitches, writing articles to highlight social injustices, campaigning for better services, or securing vital funding. We want to be a consistent, compassionate, and tireless voice for people who need our help. 

A story of real progress 

Joe is a vendor in Prestwich. He has sold the magazine for 15years. “I had a hard childhood,” he says. “My dad was really nasty. He was violent. He told me to leave home when I was 15. I went to a special school and have no qualifications. I used to be a gardener, and if there was sunshine, it was okay, but it was tough if it was raining. I prefer selling the magazine. Talking to people really cheers me up, even on a grim day when it’s wet and business is slow… 

“I had a really rough time during lockdown. I was suicidal. I couldn’t get my antidepressants, I was behind on bills, and I couldn’t go out. I kept in touch with the Manchester office, and I got some money from them to help me out, but it didn’t replace the money that I would make selling the magazine.   

“Then I lost my house, which I’d had for years. Now I’m in a supported accommodation bungalow. It’s lovely. It’s quiet and there’s CCTV all over the place and security guards, so I feel safe. The Manchester Big Issue North office helped me out with furniture… I’ve been there for a few years now.  

“I have a card reader now. Cristian at the Manchester office helped me to get a bank account so I could get one. I still do most of my sales in cash, but it makes a lot of difference. I love Cristian.”  

Stories like Joe’s are proof that, with the right support, people can – and do – rebuild their lives. Every magazine sold helps someone to take control of their circumstances. Every donation to Big Issue North, and every word of encouragement to a vendor, helps to challenge the stigma surrounding poverty, homelessness and exclusion. 

At Big Issue North, we’re all on the same mission: to fight inequality and help people to build better lives. Because opportunity should exist for everyone. 

We believe that everyone has the right to earn an independent income and improve their life. If you would like to help us in our mission to support hundreds more people like Joe who are in need of work, please text BINORTH to 70970 to give £5, or visit www.justgiving.com/bigissuenorth.