News

The Mayor of London has joined forces with 18 charities tackling homelessness, including The Big Issue Foundation, to provide extra help for rough sleepers in the capital this winter.

Sadiq Khan has formed a coalition, the London Homeless Charities Group, aimed at creating a stronger safety net for people on the streets. A new strategy will see emergency shelters open across the capital on every day of sub-zero temperatures, ditching the previous policy of shelters opening only when three consecutive days of freezing temps are forecast.

Christmas is a time of great joy and generosity, and we at The Big Issue Foundation are proud to have been given the time and talents of some wonderful people to help generate support for Big Issue vendors at Christmas.

One of these great talents includes singer songwriter, Glenn Hodge, who inspired by a friend who set up a street paper in Oslo, penned a lively festive folk number called ‘Santa’s Coming Round’ for The Big Issue Foundation in 2015.

After over 10 loyal and skilled years in the voluntary role of Chair of The Big Issue Foundation, Steve Round has stood down.

Steve said “Chairing the Big Issue Foundation for 10 years has not only been rewarding experience but a humbling one!  We have achieved a lot but we need to do more – not only supporting our vendors but addressing some of the causes of homelessness. Making the decision to step down was a hard one but is the right one as I leave the Foundation on very capable hands and enables me to concentrate on some of my work bringing finance to farmers in Africa”.

This Christmas period the Bournemouth office chose a local vendor who really stood out to be acknowledged for their commitment. A very big well done to Bill Webb who has been awarded for his brilliant hard work and dedication.

The award recognises Bill’s outstanding support to The Big Issue foundation, his overall commitment, positive feedback from both shops and also public whilst selling his magazines on pitch.  Bill’s pitch is situated at the entrance to a large car park in Bournemouth where he has a fantastic relationship with the office staff who look after his tabard, magazines and his faithful canine companion Chloe’s water bowl.

On Tuesday 28th November, the world celebrated #GivingTuesday – the global day of giving – and The Big Issue Foundation got involved!

As ever, #givingtuesday dominated social media, becoming the top trend on Twitter in the UK from 8.30am and staying there for most of the day. Globally, the day received over 1 million social mentions resulting in over £200 million being donated to charities in over 150 countries!

On Friday 17th November, Big Issue Foundation supporters braved plummeting temperatures as they slept out in the stands of Oval Cricket ground – all to raise vital funds for our work with Big Issue vendors. The Big Sleep Out 2017 has already raised over £35,000 and was supported by Rant and Rave who also had a team sleeping out on the night.

Each chilly fundraiser who slept under the stars had a target of £350 to raise, and many are smashing their targets! Top individual fundraisers Rosie Carnall and James Hamilton are each soaring over £1,000 in sponsorship and the donations are still coming in.

On Tuesday 28th November we are celebrating #GivingTuesday – a global day of giving where the world is encouraged to give back to their favourite charities.

We are encouraging our supporters to get involved by helping us raise funds and using their voice to spread the word of their favourite charities.

This festive season, we are encouraging you to get out and about and raise funds for The Big Issue Foundation by taking part in a virtual race!

A virtual race is a race that can take place wherever in the world you are, in your own time and at your own pace. You can walk, hike, use the treadmill, run outside or even log the miles during another race!

The Big Issue Foundation was delighted to host an exclusive event, including a private viewing of the museum’s current exhibition, ‘Restless Shadow’, for our key supporters at the Charles Dickens Museum, on Thursday 19th October.