About this issue: Overview
Stuff the turkey
For many, this year has been one of awakening to the environmental impact of our lifestyles. Saskia Murphy chats to three young mums turning their backs on consumerism this Christmas, with the aim of giving a brand of sustainable hope and joy to their kids.
Beats and bars
Christmas spent behind bars is a bleak reality for many, but for a group of male prisoners playing in a traditional Indonesian orchestra is giving them an opportunity to spend quality time with their families. Deborah Mulhearn watches the performance at HMP Liverpool.
Shout out for Xmas
Leeds musician Mik Artistik was stunned when a caller to a US radio station led to his song being heard by millions of faraway listeners, reports Rebecca Schott.
Time to pull together
For homeless people, the lonely and others who wouldn’t get much of a Christmas this year, the charities that organise lunches and vital services can be a lifetime. Saskia Murphy speaks to the volunteers who help make them happen.
In their shoes
Who better to show visitors round a city than those who know the streets intimately? Christian Lisseman talks to formerly homeless people whose guided walks would make a great Christmas present.
A message to you
Last week vendors selling Big Issue North across the North West sent their customers messages of seasonal goodwill and gratitude for buying the magazine all year round. This week it’s the turn of our Yorkshire and Humber vendors.
Plus
News, arts and Xmas entertainment, Saskia Murphy on the tragic fate of truth, Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll’s letter to his younger self, special festive crossword, Sudoku and more.