The Big Issue was started in 1991 by John Bird and Gordon Roddick to provide employment opportunities for rough sleepers and help them become self-sufficient. The Big Issue Foundation was later established in 1995 to connect vendors with support services addressing issues like housing, health, finances, and employment. In 2015, over 2,000 vendors achieved personal goals through skills training, advocacy for housing and healthcare, and access to education and volunteering opportunities provided by The Big Issue.

1. THE BIG ISSUE

2. THE ORIGIN
• A. John Bird and Gordon Roddick started The Big Issue
in 1991. One reason The Big Issue was started because
of the growing number of rough sleepers.
• On other reason is that these two believed that to stop
homelessness by helping people to help themselves.

3. THE DEVELOPMENT
• The foundation of the Big Issue began in 1995 to link
vendors with vital support and services to address the
issues that have led to homelessness.
• “Since its creation the Big Issue Foundation has
provided services and referrals to address issues around
housing, health, finances, education, employment and
personal aspirations”

4. 2015 ACHIEVEMENTS
• “In 2015 over 2000 Vendor’s achieved record levels of
personal outcomes Our impactful, cost effective work
included:
• teaching transferable sales and customer service skills
• enabling and advocating for decent accommodation, access to
mainstream health care (something people who are homeless are
often excluded from) and access to employment, training, education
and volunteering
• facilitating the establishment of support networks made up of other
The Big Issue vendors, customers and specialist service providers.”
https://www.bigissue.org.uk/about-us/history-and-achievements
The above information is quoted from the web address below.