Our vendors: John Williams (The Big Issue, Weston-super-Mare, UK)
John is a Big Issue vendor based in Weston-super-Mare who has been a magazine vendor for a few years. Here, he talks about his love for his home of over a decade, the town of Weston-super-Mare, and discusses what life is like for him as a Big Issue vendor.
Our vendors: Nicusor (Big Issue North, Manchester, UK)
Nicusor, 56, comes from Romania and has been selling Big Issue North since 2016. He tells us about his hopes of finding work as a carpenter in the future, learning English and the joy that he finds in playing music.
Our vendors: Cornell Jarea (The Big Issue, London, UK)
Cornell Jarea moved to London in 2013. Initially lucky in finding work, his fortunes changed when his job came to an end. He tells the Big Issue about life in the UK and how selling the magazine has helped him.
Our vendors: Andy (Big Issue North, Sheffield, UK)
We meet up with vendor Andy, for whom change has been afoot. He tells Big Issue North about his new flat, vents his political frustrations and shares his experiences as a vendor of the magazine.
Our vendors: Adrian (Big Issue North, Formby, UK)
After his divorce, Adrian had to send his children back to Romania to live with his parents. He used to work as a lorry driver, but has struggled to find work through employment agencies. Now he sells Big Issue North to support his family and give them a better life.
Frank Turner to headline street paper fundraiser
Gig at O2 Manchester Ritz on August 24 will raise funds for INSP and Big Issue North Trust.
Our vendors: June Fullerton (The Big Issue, Westbourne, UK)
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.
Britain’s dark history of criminalising homeless people in public spaces
As the number of people sleeping rough in England has grown, antiquated laws see homeless people criminalised for simply existing.
INSP brings together top journalists to fight back against fake news
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.
Vendor wishes: “I don’t want to go back to crime”
Our global survey of vendors’ ambitions hits the UK today, as we speak to Ken and Macca, who both sell Big Issue North.
Our vendors: Leventica (Big Issue North, Bebington, Wirral, UK)
22-year-old Leventica sells Big Issue North to help support her family, “Life is still a bit hard,” she says, “but not like it was in Romania.”
Watch five-year-old girl take British PM to task on homelessness in viral video
“Look,” says Brooke, “I’m only five years old. There’s nothing I can do about it… You have the pot of money. Spend some and help people.”
Big Issue vendor to welcome millions of Heathrow airport passengers
“I am very proud,” says Floriana Stanciu as she is picked as one of the faces of the airport’s ‘Welcome’ poster campaign.
Our vendors: Christopher (Big Issue North, Liverpool, UK)
Christopher has sold Big Issue North in Liverpool for 12 years. A Sri Lankan Tamil, he is grateful for the opportunity. “If I still lived there I would be dead.”
Brexit: world’s street papers react
The UK’s monumental decision to leave the EU sent shockwaves around the world. In the wake of the referendum vote, we hear from the world’s street papers about their views on Brexit.