Rainer has always loved sailing, so after years of unstable employment he was happy to turn his hobby into a career. The boat became his home, so when his employer filed for bankruptcy he lost more than just his job. Through Hinz&Kunzt he has found new work, and hopes to one day buy his own boat.

In December 2015 Laila, a refugee from Yemen, and Toufik, a Moroccan looking for a better life, went to the immigration office to get papers for their wedding. Instead he was arrested and deported. Surprise tells the story of their fight to be reunited.

Nathanial is an entrepreneur, inventor and artist, but what truly defines him is his talent for making friends. His customers feel they can open up to him, returning time and again to talk – and buy the paper.

After Hurricane Ivan, Jessica Thurmond lost her home and was forced to live in her car. Jessica found help through the kindness of strangers – and now she wants to pay that compassion forward.

In 2013, Heiko lost his job, his marriage and his apartment. He lived under a bridge for two years. Just as he was getting help, his daughter died and he turned to drink, but he has managed to turn things around again. Now he is a Surprise vendor, and a city tour guide.

After five years of homelessness, Real Change vendor Lisa Sawyer finally got somewhere to live with her boyfriend. Now it looks like her new home may be slipping away. 

Curbside Chronicle vendor Chazzi Davis lives with bipolar disorder. Twenty years ago, he lost everything due to his mental health issues. He can never have his old life back, but has found that photography – and selling the paper – is like therapy.

Rita’s last message to her friends at Brazilian street paper Boca de Rua was: “I can’t come to the meeting because I need a bandage on my heart.” She died in hospital shortly after. This is their tribute to her.

Finland’s Iso Numero – one of the youngest of the world’s 110 street papers – spent a week in March learning from The Big Issue Australia, as part of INSP’s Intensive Learning Programme. They reflect on their lessons learned.

Having fled Ghana due to political instability, John has lived in Italy since 2007. Selling Scarp de’ tenis lets him keep in touch with family back home as he seeks his dream job as a gardener.

Swiss photographer Eva Borner reveals the sleeping places of homeless people in Athens – with a little help from Shedia vendor Michalis.

Rachel loves her home city of Seattle, but also feels a strong connection to Montana – she named her beloved Chihuahua-terrier puppy after a city there. When she’s not selling Real Change, or advocating for people with disabilities and service dogs, she likes to make balloon animals and even perform as a clown.

Watch as media experts unpick the ideas of fake news and ‘alternative facts’ at INSP’s lively debate.

When June’s husband died five years ago, she struggled to cope. Soon she was in a lot of debt and worried about losing her home. Thanks to selling The Big Issue, she has worked her way out of trouble.

New report by EU homelessness organisation Feantsa shows homelessness and housing exclusion on the rise across Europe – except in Finland.

Sheila has lost many things in her life, but never her creativity or her desire to make a difference. Through art, poetry and activism, she uses her experience with homelessness to educate the public and advocate for others in her position.

As the number of people sleeping rough in England has grown, antiquated laws see homeless people criminalised for simply existing.

As the global war against truth rages, the Alternative journalism vs. ‘alternative facts’ event on 30 March will explore how alternative forms of journalism can lead the fight against fake news.

Vickie is currently homeless and battling cancer for the second time. She sells The Contributor to provide for her family.

Popular Glasgow vendor Daniel Collins has turned his Glasgow wit and wisdom into a poem that contributes to a nationwide discussion on land and housing.

In January, INSP was delighted to report on the incredible story of Raven Canon, an activist in Colorado Springs who launched brand new street paper The Springs Echo, whilst sleeping rough. A little more than a month later, we are saddened to be reporting on her death.

Roger Meier used to work in construction: he helped renovate the concrete walls of the Mühleberg nuclear power plant and once plastered a concrete dam. Now he sells Surprise at the Bärenplatz in Bern.

A year and a half after he first spoke to street papers, the Holy Father met Scarp de’ tenis vendor Antonio Mininni and the paper’s editor Stefano Lampertico.

Frances wanted to become a university lecturer in her home country of Nigeria, but she was forced to leave. After arriving in Austria, she began selling Augustin to support herself. Now in the second year of her Master’s degree in Sociology, she sells the paper as often as her studies allow.

Participants about to set off on international placement scheme to strengthen street papers and share ideas.

Children from a remote primary school on the isle of Mull examine how housing and rural land use affects their lives.

Salomon has always been a salesman. After falling into bad company and trouble with the law, he now sells Mi Valedor. “My self-confidence is returning,” he says, as he works toward his dream of being a family man with his own house.

As part of #VendorWeek, street paper vendors in Ljubljana acted as tour guides, showing members of the public another side of their city. They told Kralji Ulice about why they are getting involved, and their hopes for the tour.