About Us
Big Issue North is in the business of changing lives.
We believe that everyone has the right to earn an independent income. That’s why we do not ask for a permanent address, ID, a bank account, qualifications, or previous experience – anyone who wants to sell Big Issue North can do so.
We produce a wide range of socially conscious media content, including a weekly magazine sold by homeless and vulnerably housed people in the north of England with few other means of earning an income. Big Issue North vendors are self-employed and buy magazines from one of our regional offices for £1.50 each, then sell them on established pitches in towns and cities for £3 across the north, keeping the £1.50 they make from every sale. Selling Big Issue North also gives vendors motivation and helps to boost their self-esteem.
As well as selling the magazine, our vendors are given advice by staff on how to get help with anything from developing their skills or accessing English language courses, to getting housing, financial or health advice, which can help them achieve their goals and improve their lives for good.
Big Issue North vendors are making a commitment to earn an income – working not begging. 75% of vendors have never begged, and all of the 19% of vendors who had committed crime prior to selling the magazine say they have offended less since they have been selling.
Big Issue North Trust is a registered charity (charity number 1056041), which raises funds to provide a range of support for vendors, including support accessing services, help getting ID, home furnishing packages and projects such as breakfast clubs. During COVID-19, it has also provided vendors with financial aid while they have been unable to work, as well as funding PPE and contactless payment devices – and the photo ID required to use it. As well as improving the safety of our vendors and customers, we hope that this will lead to increased earnings.
Press releases
Big Issue North and Stanley Chow are keeping you warm from heart to toe...
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** **Contact** Jennifer Sage jen.sage@thebiglifegroup.com Big Issue North have joined forces with celebrated... read more
09.11.2023 • By Big Issue North
Andy Burnham sells The Big Issue magazine in Manchester
Image credit: Rebecca Lupton The Mayor of Greater Manchester donned a red tabard and sold the magazine in Manchester alongside his local... read more
21.07.2023 • By Big Issue North
Northern vendors to sell Big Issue UK magazine as Big Issue North ceases...
From 15 May, Big Issue North vendors will sell the national Big Issue UK weekly magazine, as Big Issue North magazine ceases production. The... read more
24.04.2023 • By Big Issue North
Big Issue North Increases Magazine Price in Face of the Cost of Living...
Big Issue North magazine is set to maintain its increased festive price, in order to help vendors face the cost-of-living crisis and to meet... read more
23.01.2023 • By Big Issue North
Big Issue North launches news app to give access to global street paper...
Street News, a news app from the publishers of Big Issue North, is launching today, bringing together the best from the planet’s 150 street... read more
13.09.2021 • By Big Issue North
Big Issue North vendors return to the streets for the first time in 2021
On Monday 12 th April, hundreds of Big Issue North vendors will go back to work for the first time in 2021. After spending more than half of the... read more
09.04.2021 • By Big Issue North
Third national lockdown devastates Big Issue North vendors
On the 23 rd of March, the anniversary of the beginning of England’s first lockdown, Big Issue North vendors will be struggling through their... read more
01.03.2021 • By Big Issue North
Big Issue North pulled from the street again during third national lockdown
As England enters a third lockdown, Big Issue North vendors face a dire predicament: they are once again not permitted to sell the magazine.... read more
06.01.2021 • By Big Issue North
Big Issue North pulled from the street again as the second national...
As England enters a second lockdown set to last at least until early December, our vendors face a dire predicament: they are now not permitted to... read more
05.11.2020 • By Big Issue North
The full lineup for Big Issue North and Karima Francis's Big Busk at...
At this time of year, the Big Issue North fundraising team would usually be preparing for the Big Busk, our touring live music festival. With... read more
19.06.2020 • By Big Issue North
Big Issue North and Karima Francis present the Big Busk at Home
At this time of year, the Big Issue North fundraising team would usually be preparing for the Big Busk, our touring live music festival. With the... read more
16.06.2020 • By Big Issue North
Big Issue North vendors return to the streets - with card readers and PPE
From Monday the 15th of June, our vendors will start to resume selling Big Issue North on the streets of the north. As the government has... read more
12.06.2020 • By Big Issue North
Can you provide PPE to help Big Issue North vendors back to work?
We are approaching our tenth week since Big Issue North was pulled from the street for the first time since its foundation in 1992 for the safety... read more
20.05.2020 • By Big Issue North
Big Issue North now on sale in seven retailers across the north
We are now in the seventh week since pulling Big Issue North from the street for the first time in its twenty-eight year history for the safety of... read more
29.04.2020 • By Big Issue North
Five ways to support Big Issue North vendors through the COVID-19 pandemic
On Monday 23rd March, shortly before Boris Johnson announced a nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, staff at Big Issue North made... read more
27.03.2020 • By Big Issue North
You can ensure Big Issue North vendors survive COVID-19
In the past fortnight, panic surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic has spread across the nation. For the millions of people who cannot work from home,... read more
23.03.2020 • By Big Issue North
Introducing The New Issue
The creators of Big Issue North magazine have launched a new publication, telling untold stories and created to change the lives of the most... read more
13.11.2019 • By Big Issue North