Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
HEATWAVE HITS - help vendors work safely with a summer support kit
Buy a kit
News

Terry's Story

I needed to get my life back on track.

I found myself homeless for a long period, stuck living in a hostel. I felt like I needed to get my life back on track and thought becoming a Big Issue Vendor would allow me to do so. I also thought it would be a good way to meet and talk to some new people.

I have a good number of stories as a Big Issue vendor. I got to meet Russell Brand and even the Dalai Lama! Once I got to meet Stephen Fry when he was filming a TV programme about the city. A picture of us even ended up in the magazine! That was a nice momento.

One day when I was on my pitch near St Pauls, a member of Freshfields staff, a law firm on Fleet Street, came over and spoke to me about corporate placements at her office. She got in touch with one of her colleagues who contacted The Big Issue Foundation. Matthew from the foundation then got in touch with me to ask me if I would like to take part. That’s how I ended up in a corporate placement scheme, selling the magazine one day a week in the canteen at Freshfields.

During my placement, I was offered work experience in the post room, which was the highlight of my time here. It was something different and I got to meet great people! I really have enjoyed meeting all the staff, it gave me a real idea of what it’s like working in an office. I enjoy sharing this experience with my customers at my regular pitch when they ask me how I’m getting on.

Ever since my placement at Freshfields, I have felt a lot of improvements. In particular, my confidence has developed a great deal. I have lots to talk about with my customers. Everything about it has helped me. It’s not just about the extra money, it’s more about the people. I was quite apprehensive at the beginning but I really have enjoyed every minute of it. It was my birthday recently, and I received so many cards. It really made the day special.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Feeling the heat?

It's even tougher on the street. Could you buy a summer support kit for £35 to help vendors work safely in the sun?

Recommended for you

View all
'It would be good to know how long we have left': This clifftop community is falling into the sea
Climate crisis

'It would be good to know how long we have left': This clifftop community is falling into the sea

How I made friends with a great oak tree named Quercus
Trees

How I made friends with a great oak tree named Quercus

Home Office extends 56-day refugee move-on period – but it doesn't go far enough, campaigners say
a tent on the street
Refugees

Home Office extends 56-day refugee move-on period – but it doesn't go far enough, campaigners say

Black and minority households 'forced to cut their hair and hide their accents' to get social housing
A black woman sitting on a sofa speaking to a psychologist
Racism

Black and minority households 'forced to cut their hair and hide their accents' to get social housing

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know

Support our vendors with a subscription

For each subscription to the magazine, we’ll provide a vendor with a reusable water bottle, making it easier for them to access cold water on hot days.