Life of John Bird~
Bird was born in Notting Hill to a poor Irish family who held extremely prejudice views. He became homeless at the age of five, resided in an orphanage between the ages of seven and ten, and was often excluded from school. Bird never held a steady job when he was young and had to supplement his income through stealing. Bird became homeless again by 1967 living on the streets in Edinburgh while being sought by the police for petty offences. In the early 1970s, he started to build upon his prison education and set up a small-scale printing and publishing business in London. For two weeks in 1970, he worked as a dishwasher in the Houses of Parliament canteen which many conspire that this drove his return to parliament as a peer. By growing up in a working-class family and facing hardships himself, Bird developed a strong understanding of social justice. In September 1991, Bird launched The Big Issue with Gordon Roddick, co-founder of The Body Shop. In November 1995, he launched The Big Issue Foundation to further support vendors of The Big Issue. His work co-founding the Big Issue reflects his commitment to empowering marginalized individuals and advocating for policy changes that support vulnerable communities.
Anita and Gordon Roddick~
The Body Shop aligns with the Big Issue through its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Both organizations focus on empowering marginalized communities and promoting ethical practices. The Body Shop supports fair trade and sustainable sourcing, while the Big Issue provides opportunities for homeless individuals to earn a living by selling the magazine. Their shared values of social justice and community empowerment create a strong connection between the two.
The Big Issue and politics~
John Bird, the co-founder of the Big Issue, has had a notable relationship with Parliament in the UK. He has actively engaged with lawmakers to advocate for policies that address homelessness and social inequality. Bird's experiences and insights from running the Big Issue have allowed him to influence discussions on social welfare, pushing for more supportive measures for vulnerable populations. His efforts aim to bring attention to the systemic issues surrounding homelessness and to promote solutions that empower individuals to improve their circumstances. This connection to Parliament helps bridge the gap between grassroots activism and legislative change.
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