Overqualified

There has been an increase in the number of people with traditional education and employment backgrounds who have registered to become a Big Issue North vendor over the last few years. 

Although becoming a Big Issue Vendor does not require qualifications or previous work experience, 25 per cent of our vendors have formal qualifications, including degrees, A Levels, GCSEs, NVQs, or specific qualifications in various trades. This includes driving, care, web and graphic design, painting and decorating, welding, joining and carpentry, cleaning, food hygiene, customer service, business administration, massage therapy and engineering.  

25 per cent may seem low when compared to the over 92 per cent of the general working-age population who have qualifications, but our data reflects the limited access to education and training that non-British vendors have had. Roma vendors, for example, have had less access to education and training than British vendors.  

Some of our traditionally qualified vendors have struggled with mental ill health, substance use, or criminal records – all barriers to mainstream employment.

Our vendors’ reasons for selling the magazine are diverse. They range from struggling to find new work after being made redundant, to finding more traditional jobs difficult to maintain due to difficulties with their physical or mental health, to a need for flexibility in their working hours to care for dependants, and more. 

Samuel*, who sells the magazine in Manchester, is highly skilled, but his struggle with addiction made it hard for him to find mainstream employment. “I put myself through college about three years ago,” he explains. “I studied plastering. At that time, I was drinking like a lunatic, taking drugs. I managed to get my City & Guilds qualification, but I struggled when I first came out of college to get any kind of work, and that was because of my behaviour, my drinking and everything.” 

Like Samuel, several of our traditionally qualified vendors have struggled with mental ill health, substance use, or criminal records – all barriers to mainstream employment. Being a vendor means that they can work while accessing support to help them live stable and healthy lives. 

Several of our vendors are simply people who found themselves falling on tough times unexpectedly. Job losses or changes in living circumstances meant that they suddenly had no viable income or were not earning enough money. It has been estimated that 5.2 million workers in the UK have been forced to take on extra jobs to keep up with the cost-of-living crisis. Selling The Big Issue is a way that people can quickly earn money and keep paying their bills. 

Several of our vendors are simply people who found themselves falling on tough times unexpectedly. Job losses or changes in living circumstances meant that they suddenly had no viable income or were not earning enough money.

Joseph, who sells the magazine in Sheffield, used to work as a private translator before Covid began to impact his workstream. “I speak Slovak, Czech and Roma,” he said. “Covid happened and my work really slowed down… I was doing well; I had a good job, but things dried up… 

“[My friend] suggested I could sell the magazine. He told me it wasn’t just for homeless people, but that anyone who needed a job could do it. I didn’t know that. I thought, okay! At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but I didn’t have a choice. I needed to earn money. I have three children. 

“When I was working as a private translator, I earned more money per hour. I didn’t enjoy it as much as this though. I’m not sure what it is; I am really liking selling to people and interacting with customers. I think I am good at it.” 

Part of what we are proud to do at Big Issue North is supporting vendors in realising their aspirations. Almost half of our vendors see themselves moving on from selling the magazine eventually.  

“You know, I realised something,” said Joseph. “Waking up in the morning and having a job that you look forward to going to makes a big difference. Right now, I wake up and the day is a mystery. I don’t know who I am going to meet. My interactions with people so far have been friendly. I like that.” 

With your help, we can ensure that all our vendors can reach their full potential and lead healthy, stable lives. Whoever someone is, whatever they have been through and wherever they want to go, Big Issue North is here, and, with your help, we will be for many years to come.

If you would like to help us in our mission to support hundreds more people in need of work, please text BINORTH to 70970 to give £5, or visit www.justgiving.com/bigissuenorth

Thank you so much for your support.   

*Vendor name has been changed for anonymity.