Please take the magazine

“I’m surprised at how many people don’t take the magazine these days,” says Tim*, a Big Issue North vendor based in Manchester. “They come up and give me a quid or two and then walk off. I don’t mind, but you know, it disheartens me because we’re not getting the message out about what this magazine is about.” 

The act of giving money to vendors but not taking the magazine is a kind one. People often feel that they want to donate to a Big Issue vendor, rather than paying for the magazine and taking it. Sometimes our vendors are told they can sell that magazine to someone else instead. 

Whilst we are very grateful for such generous support, it is important for our vendors that you take the magazine away with you, just like you would if you bought it in a shop. 

For many vendors, selling the magazine does not just provide an income, but also increases their sense of self-esteem. More than half of our vendors (57 per cent) say that selling Big Issue North has boosted their confidence and motivation.

This is because our vendors wish to be seen as salespeople, not beggars. Our Big Issue North vendors have committed to earning an income – to be working and not begging. 79 per cent of vendors who have begged in the past say that selling the magazine has reduced their begging, if not stopped completely. 

The move from begging to working is such an important one for our vendors. For many, selling the magazine does not just provide an income, but also increases their sense of self-esteem. More than half of our vendors (57 per cent) say that selling Big Issue North has boosted their confidence and motivation. By taking your copy home, you’re helping your local vendor to keep going and to feel motivated to keep working. 

“I’m planning to work as much as I can,” says Steve*, a vendor based in Leeds. “I missed selling the magazine when I wasn’t doing it. If I stay at home, I don’t really do anything. I get up at half seven and take the dogs for a walk and then I get on the bus to come into town and sell the magazine and that’s what makes me happy.” 

Currently, there are more than 200 vendors across the North, each working hard to sell the magazine and support themselves. Being a Big Issue North vendor is a legally recognised form of self-employment. In fact, each seller is a micro-entrepreneur – they buy magazines from one of our regional offices for £2 each, then sell them on established pitches in towns and cities for £4 across the North, keeping the £2 they make from every sale. 

Any profits from magazine sales go straight to the vendors, or back into our business to further support them. Everyone has the right to work their way out of poverty and deserves help along the way. Buying the magazine can set someone on that path to changing their life. 

“I know that the biggest part of people buying this magazine is supporting the vendors who they are buying off,” says Tim. “Especially when you have got regular customers, they want to know that buying that magazine is making a difference to your life.

“Buy the Big Issue – it’s a life-changing experience for the vendor!”

Read more about the work that the Big Issue North Trust does to support people like our vendors and find out about our seasonal campaigns here. 

*Vendors’ names may have been changed for anonymity.