‘we will stretch our arms wide’: big issue founder john bird celebrates our vendors at house of lords – and pledges to end destitution

I’ve been selling Big Issue for 11 years. I have been providing food for my family and paying for rent thanks to the money I make. I lived in Romania before coming to England. It was hard living there

Big Issue changed my life. I was sat begging after I’d just become homeless. One of the Big Issue workers came past me on their bike and stopped and talked to me. I went into the office the next morni

Now I am very famous here in Alnwick because everyone knows me — I’ve sold magazines for 17 years in this pitch. It’s a little easier for me now. I’m from Romania originally, but I emigrated when I wa

Fighting talk I saw the article about Greta Thunberg and others [on bigissue.com] who are willing to speak publicly about their beliefs and causes. I have been a campaigner within disability for over

→ Feeling lonely? Ironically, you’re not alone. Around 10% of adults often feel lonely, while more than half report experiencing loneliness at least some of the time. This epidemic of isolation takes

It’s Friday morning in early autumn, the sun is shining and we’re on the road. Amber Jether, who works for Big Issue’s South West frontline team, has a vanload of magazines and a lot of miles to go be