The UN climate conference COP26 has been ongoing in Glasgow. On Saturday, members of the public and activists alike took to the streets to make their voices heard for climate justice for all.

After working with inmates at Glasgow’s Barlinnie prison for some years, musician Jill Brown sought to establish a way for exceptional talent uncovered behind bars to release their music. The result is Conviction Records, a record label and social enterprise for ex-offenders. With backing from major music A&R Eric MacLellan, Brown hopes the outreach to former prison inmates and the songs created with them will help bring convicted criminals back from the fringes of society.

INSP recently moved office, and now shares a space with The Big Issue. During #VendorWeek, we chatted to Anabel – who has been selling The Big Issue only as long as INSP has been office neighbours with the Glasgow-based street paper – about getting involved and what the magazine means for her.

The Blankfaces is a Glasgow-based social enterprise fashion label that works with people experiencing homelessness on design ideas to create stylish streetwear with a message. INSP spoke to its founder Gerard McKenzie-Govan about the impetus behind the business and giving an outlet for the homeless community’s creative spirit.

The Big Issue has teamed up with the Social Enterprise Academy bringing together pupils from Scottish schools to put together a special edition of the street paper. The magazine, which gave the young people a platform to raise awareness about the social issues they care most about, is now being sold by the kids at their respective schools, and has been included as a supplement in the current edition being sold by vendors.

Brigitta has been a Big Issue vendor for three years now, after moving from her home in Romania in search of a better life and a greater chance of finding work. Here, she talks about her family, her pitch and how she gets on selling The Big Issue.

After speaking to delegates on the opening day of the 2018 Global Street Paper Summit in Glasgow, journalist, commentator and activist Sunny Hundal sat down with INSP to talk more about engaging those we disagree with and the importance of street papers in providing an alternate voice.

On the final day of the 2018 INSP Global Street Paper Summit, Suzanne Fitzpatrick, professor of housing and social policy at the Institute for Social Policy, Housing and Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, spoke to delegates about her research showing that the statement “homelessness can happen to anyone” is not quite as true as many make it out to be. Here, she breaks down her arguments for the INSP News Service.

Delegates are heading back to their home countries inspired and motivated by three days of keynotes, panel discussions and break-out sessions with their international colleagues.

Day three of the 2018 INSP Global Street Paper Summit focused on those at the centre of the street paper mission – vendors. Delegates learned about homelessness, poverty, and the societal factors that contribute to them, and discussed the different ways in which vendors are involved in the day-to-day running of street papers, other than as the main point of sale for the magazines.

The final keynote speaker at the 2018 INSP Global Street Paper Summit, Suzanne Fitzpatrick, professor of housing and social policy at the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Environment and Real Estate (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, presented her research that the statement “homelessness can happen to anyone” is not quite as true as many make it out to be.

Day two of the 2018 INSP Global Street Paper Summit focused on how street papers are adapting to the rise of digital media, with an insight into street paper data and a panel discussion on how members of the modern media industry are changing to utilise digital to their environment.

This year’s INSP Talks – a regular feature of the Global Street Paper Summit – was focused on social enterprise around the world, including what street papers are doing to branch out into other social businesses, how they are adapting their publication to come more into line with the modern social enterprise landscape, and a look at why Scotland is leading the way in the industry.

Day one of the 2018 INSP Global Street Paper Summit was all about making introductions, catching up with old friends and getting stuck in to discussions about the issues being faced by street papers, and the innovations being made to tackle them.

The opening keynote speaker at the 2018 INSP Global Street Paper Summit, journalist, commentator and activist Sunny Hundal, hit street paper delegates with a thought-provoking statement to open his address.

With the INSP Global Street Paper Summit in Glasgow this week, it’s a great opportunity to hear from one of the city’s vendors. Daniel is a familiar face in the west end of Glasgow, and you might even recognise him from past stories featured in the INSP website and News Service. He even went viral not that long ago. Here, he tells us how he came to be a Big Issue vendor, getting back into education and his love of graphic novels.

The 2018 INSP Global Street Paper Summit kicked off on Monday with a welcome reception at Glasgow City Chambers, after visits to The Big Issue’s main base of operations, an alternative city tour and much more.

A year on from the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow, the tournament is still changing lives. The Legacy Project has helped event volunteers – all of whom had experience of homelessness or substance abuse issues – to continue improving their skills and confidence through sport. INSP met volunteer John Mooney, who is now a tennis coach.

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.

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.

“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.

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

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.

As the UK celebrates its official Organ Donation Awareness Week, we talk to Chloe Knott, the co-founder of Transplant Toys. Herself the recipient of a kidney transplant, Chloe has a unique crafty way to draw attention to organ donation.

Scottish Homeless World Cup star Stephanie has beaten addiction & homelessness to play for her country. She’s competed in front of thousands of fans, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

In the midst of the tournament, we learn how The Big Issue Australia helped seven players bring the infectious “Aussie team spirit” to the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow. The experience has already rendered goalkeeper Shannon “speechless”.