You change lives

The Big Issue is much more than a magazine. It is a lifeline for people who find themselves in a difficult financial situation, or who are struggling to find other employment.  

Vendors buy the magazine for £2 and sell it for £4, keeping the profit to support themselves. This model provides not just income, but a sense of purpose and improved self-esteem. Our Big Issue North Trust offices also offer support services to vendors working across Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, and Sheffield, helping them with issues such as housing, health, and personal development. The aim is always to help people to break out of damaging life cycles.  

As a Trust, we rely on funding, donations, and kind contributions from members of the public, businesses, and organisations to help with these costs.  

Every penny we receive goes towards services, support, and equipment to better enable our vendors to work to change their lives. This includes help with accessing services, help to get ID, home furnishing packages and projects such as breakfast clubs.  

Every penny we receive goes towards services, support, and equipment to better enable our vendors to work to change their lives.

We are also working to fund contactless payment devices for our vendors. As well as improving the safety of our vendors and customers, contactless payment devices are essential to helping vendors increase their earnings as the UK continually moves towards becoming a cashless society. Currently, it is £119 to buy a vendor a contactless card machine, and – if required – a photo ID to operate incurs additional costs.

Stowe Family Law’s Manchester office recently donated £350 to Big Issue North as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and social causes. Speaking on behalf of the firm, Nastassia Burton, Team Leader Partner, said: “We are honoured to support Big Issue North in their invaluable work within our community. At Stowe Family Law, we believe in the importance of giving back and making a positive impact where it matters most. Through our donation, we hope to contribute to the continued success and wellbeing of those served by these remarkable organisations.” 

Rebekah Cheshire, Fundraising Officer for Big Issue North, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this donation from Stowe’s Family Law and the Manchester Team. This money will help us reach more people and provide even better services to our regional vendors, and to people like them, who need support. 

“The impact this donation will have cannot be understated. Contributions like this really do ensure that we can continue to work with our vendors and help them improve their lives. Not only that, but it is also a valuable show of support and community – just knowing that there are organisations and people out there that care about our vendors’ wellbeing is so important for them.”  

Together, we can make a difference. By supporting Big Issue North, you are not only helping those in immediate need but also contributing to the ongoing wellbeing of our vendors.  

Big Issue North Trust is a registered charity (number 1056041). If you or your organisation would like to donate to help people in need, you can contribute to our cause in a variety of ways:  

• Send a cheque payable to “Big Issue North Trust” to 463 Stretford Road, Greater Manchester, M16 9AB.
• Donate online at www.easydonate.org/BINORTH or  https://justgiving.com/bigissuenorth
• Request our Big Issue North bank details to donate via transfer. 

If you would like to discuss anything further regarding our charity work, please contact our team at fundraising@bigissueinthenorth.com or call 07918987412. 

You can learn more about the work that the Big Issue North Trust does and donate to our seasonal campaigns here. 

Stowe’s Family Law is the UK’s largest specialist family law firm, with over 150 dedicated professionals working throughout England, working to help clients facing legal challenges including divorce and separation, financial settlements, child arrangements, cohabitation agreements, or prenuptial agreements. Stowe’s reputation for excellence is reflected in its numerous awards and accolades, including recognition in prestigious legal directories such as Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500.