The Big issue helps vulnerable people work their way out of poverty by giving them the opportunity to make money.
how to become a vendor:
to become a vendor, you have to make an appointment at your nearest office and then attend an initial meeting so a member of the team can assess selling the big issue is suitable for you.
People who are helped by the big issue are encouraged to set goals and work towards them and another way vendors are supported is by the vendors saving scheme. although it doesn't replace bank accounts this scheme allows for vendors to understand budgeting and change their mindset away from hand to mouth living. However, if you are in receipt of benefits, you may have responsibility to contact DWP of your income as if you don't it could be a criminal offence.
vendors expected to follow a set of rules, some of these include:
Vendors can only sell on designated pitches.
Vendors cannot sell between 8pm and 7am (or 6pm and 7am in Liverpool).
Vendors must carry their own badge at all times.
Vendors must not use physical or verbal aggression towards members of the public or other vendors.
Vendors are not allowed to sell if staff feel they are unfit to do so.
Vendors must stand when selling if they are able to do so.
Vendors must not beg for money using the magazine (asking for spare change or other items is considered to be begging).
Vendors can only charge the cover price (£3) for each magazine and must always give the customer the magazine once paid for
By breaking any of these rules the big issue will be entitled to stop providing you with copies of the magazine on either a temporary or permanent basis as you are not an employee of the big issue you shouldn't hold yourself out as being an employee.
stories from vendors
Tell us a bit about yourself. I came to Liverpool with my mum and dad when I was very young. I have a strong Liverpudlian accent because I grew up here. I am 19 now. If people ask me where I am from, I say I am from Romania, but I have been living here for most of my life. England is my home. Whenever I go to Romania I wish to be back here quickly.
Why do you choose to sell Big Issue North magazine? I sell the magazine because it helps me and it’s a nice job to do. I enjoy it. Sometimes it’s hard. Sometimes it’s not. It helps me to get things for my kids and the jobs fits around childcare. If there’s a problem with my kids, I can just leave my pitch to go and deal with it. In other jobs, you might not be able to do that as easily.
Tell us about your children. I have two children. One is two, the other is just a few months old. My son, the two year old, was born in Romania during lockdown. I had a lot of family around me. My other child was born here. I live with them and my partner in Liverpool.
What do you wish for in the future? Nothing. Just for life to be nice and to stay healthy with my kids.
Do you have any brothers or sisters? Yes. I have ten! I am the eldest. My mother stays at home looking after her children and my dad is a delivery driver and works in scrap metal. They all live in Liverpool. My parents are both impressed with me and how I have done.
What do you want for your children when they grow up? I want them to do well at school and get good jobs, maybe like doctors or something. I would have liked to have been a doctor, but I couldn’t.
Why not? It’s hard. You have to study a long time and have lots of money. Maybe I could be a nurse one day. Maybe. Who knows? I could go to college. In our country, you don’t go to college. Some of the children don’t even go to school. My mum made sure we went through. She worked hard for us. One of the reasons that my parents came to the UK was to give their children a better life.
Do you have a message for your customers? My customers in Southport are all very kind. I want to say thanks for buying the magazine and for looking out for me.
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