2. AboutTheBigIssue
On their website, The Big Issue describe themselves as, "From an award-
winning magazine offering employment opportunities to people in poverty, to
a multi-million pound social investment business supporting enterprise to
drive social change. For over 25 years The Big Issue Group has strived to
dismantle poverty through creating opportunity, in the process becoming one
of the most recognised and trusted brands in the UK.”
https://www.bigissue.com/about/
3. Background
The Big Issue was launched in 1991, founded by John Bird and Gordon Roddick
because of the growing numbers of people who were sleeping on the streets,
homeless.
They aimed to give homeless people work and provide them with a legitimate
income through selling the magazine to working people.
The vendors that sell their magazines come from a variety of places and are
in their unfortunate situation for a variety of reasons, such as poverty and
inequality.
4. Specifics
The Vendors who sell the magazines are able to buy it for £1.25 and sell them
for £2.50. This allows them to make a profit by being a micro-entrepreneur
This means it is vital that those who ay for the magazines actually take it and
not just give them the money for nothing, as they are working not begging.
The makers of the magazine take this very seriously as it allows the people
selling the magazines to have something to work for and be motivated
towards.
5. The Big Issue Shop
In 2016, The Big Issue sold its 200 millionth copy and celebrated its 25th
anniversary by launching The Big Issue Shop.
The shop is an online platform committed to selling products with a social
echo. They sell a variety of products such as artwork, clothing, jewellery and
toys.
The big issue shop provides a social echo, meaning that every item purchased
will have a positive outcome through an exchange with the consumer, such as
the selling of a bag produced with eco-friendly materials. This could give
former street children a home and an education.
6. The Big Issue Invest
The Big Issue Invest was founded in 2005 and extends the big issues main aim,
“dismantling poverty through creating opportunity by financing the growth of
sustainable social enterprises and charities across the UK.”
They currently manage and advise on £150 million of social funds.
They offer social enterprises, charities, profit-with-purpose businesses and
loans/investments from £20,000 to £3million.
Since 2005 through investing in their 300 charities and social enterprises they
have positively influenced the lives of around 1 million people in the UK.
