Dave sells Big Issue North in Altrincham, near Manchester. Raelene sells the Denver Voice in Boulder, Colorado in the US. In a Skype conversation to mark #VendorWeek, they compared notes about their lives, interests and what it’s like to be a street paper vendor on either side of the Atlantic.

Ken sells the Big Issue North with his faithful canine companion, Bailey. He has lived in all sorts of places: motorhomes, static caravans, even an old French police riot van. Having moved to York after someone set fire to his tent, Ken recently got his own room. “I’m a happy man,” he says.

This Valentine’s Day, read about how Trevor and Ellen have The Big Issue Australia to thank for bringing them together for a second chance at big love.

Street paper vendors were at the heart of a message of dignity and love at the launch of INSP’s street paper cover exhibition UNCOVERED: still homeless, still an issue, hosted in Glasgow.

Vendors Mark and Ann shared their first ever Skype chat in honour of #VendorWeek and found out they have more in common than they first expected.

From Melbourne to Denver, Taipei to Athens, vendors across the globe share what it’s like to sell a street paper in their city… and so much more.

“We should all be proud that INSP is based here in Scotland,” said Equalities Secretary Angela Constance, ahead of brand new exhibition about INSP’s work.

When Norm lost his job and his home, it was thanks to the kindness of a stranger he ended up in housing once again. Now he sells Street Roots, accompanied by his dog Heidi. He says being a vendor is an adventure – and good for his mental health.

This week, Surprise staff will pile into the back of an old VW van for a #VendorWeek promotional tour of Switzerland. The travelling exhibition will feature vendors’ stories, choral performances, alternative city tours – and free tea and cake.

Across five continents, street papers are celebrating #VendorWeek from 6-12 February. Find out about all their activities here!

In nine towns and cities in the north of England, Big Issue North readers will take to the streets to support the street paper this #VendorWeek.

For #VendorWeek, more than 100 senior business leaders and politicians will sell Australia’s The Big Issue to raise awareness of the country’s 500+ street paper sellers.

George has had quite a few housing problems over the past year and he was finding it difficult to get by. But selling The Big Issue gave him a boost. “I’ll do a wee dance on my pitch and the staff inside Starbucks will chuckle,” he says.

They’re both North American street paper vendors, yet over a recent Skype interview James and John – from Montréal and Portland respectively – discovered that Canadian and American vendor life can be very different.

Ten years ago, after the collapse of his marriage, Peter became homeless. “I deliberately wanted to destroy myself,” he says. Peter’s story is one filled with loss, but thanks to Hinz&Kunzt, he now has a “brighter future”.

World first exhibition of street paper design and global vendors’ stories to open in The Lighthouse this February for #VendorWeek.

Seattle street paper Real Change has made a passionate call-to-arms to its readers and supporters to join them in protesting against hate against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s first days as U.S. president.

“Despite all the tough situations I’ve been through, I know the best is yet to come,” says L’Itinéraire vendor Tania. Having experienced poverty and teenage pregnancy in her youth, Tania has been hurt many times. But she says selling L’Itinéraire is like an oxygen mask – now she has helped herself, she wants to help others.

“The idea came from being hungry – the desire came from wanting to fight.” Currently homeless in Colorado Springs, Raven Canon is a campaigner and the founder of the world’s newest street paper. We caught up with her just after she published the first edition of The Springs Echo.

Formerly homeless vendor Mario spread some kindness with a donation to the victims of the devastating East Tennessee fires. Mario saved three days of street paper sales to give to the official victim fund.

Thirty volunteers brave sub-zero temperatures to support outreach and addition services in Scotland. “It’s about trying to do away with the stigma around homelessness,” says Teen Challenge Strathclyde’s Michael Sturrock.

“Thanks for being there when others weren’t.” Philadelphia street paper One Step Away’s new video is a powerful testament to the power of buying your local street paper.

Martin has been selling Augustin since nearly the very beginning. Now, 20 years later, he talks about money troubles, about getting older and being free.

Selling the paper helps with the basics like bills and food, but also helps vendor Mellie Kaufman to feel better about herself and her life. “”Before I sold Real Change, I felt like I was nothing. Now, I feel better,” she says.

In the last of our vendor wishes series, Surprise vendor Tatjana tells us she hopes to be reunited with her family in Switzerland in the coming year.

We’re in Macedonia for our vendor wishes series today, where Ilfeta tells us that she hopes to be a good mum, while Armando wants to travel…

Today, as part of our vendor wishes series, we visit Vicky who sells The Contributor in Tennessee. She has big plans for the new year…

For New Year’s Eve, we have a bumper series of vendor wishes to share from StreetWise in Chicago.