The Big Issue

The Big Issue is one of Britain’s leading news and cultural magazines. Every week’s edition is packed full of original takes on the biggest issues of the day as well as interviews with the most significant figures in politics and entertainment. The Big Issue was founded 1991 to give people experiencing homelessness the opportunity to earn their own income. We continue to support hundreds of vendors across the UK and all proceeds from sales go to help anyone wanting to lift themselves out of poverty.

Date with destiny

Bright futures start with a strong foundation

THE DISPATCH

1,000,000 How did one million young people fall off the career ladder?

YOUR LETTERS

The Big Issue

Darn it, there must be a way to stitch things back together

From viral to vital

‘You need to be audacious and courageous’ • How Maya Jama’s mentorship scheme is giving young creatives like Jemima Amamize a foot in the door

‘If kids can’t access music in schools, where are they going to access it?’

Taking on inequality at full throttle

‘Your story is your superpower’ • Actor Shonagh Marie came through a tough childhood and the care system to emerge as a striking acting talent with the help of The Big House theatre company

Who needs a kick-start? • Jordan Stephens is one half of hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks. He’s also an artist, actor, writer and co-host of BBC podcast Miss Me?, and is passionate about exploring modern masculinity and mental health

The Edinburgh Fringe costs performers thousands. Why do they still go? • At the biggest arts festival in the world, costs have soared, bursaries have dwindled and breaking even is an achievement. Yet thousands of artists still spend money they may never recover to perform at the Fringe. Marc Burrows finds out what keeps them coming back

‘The arts and personal growth go hand in hand’ • Munya Chawawa and Jack Rooke are not just trailblazers of genre-busting comedy. They are also creating positive cultural change as mentors for the next generation

Roundhouse Young Creatives Commission • Led by Centre for Young Lives in partnership with Roundhouse, RYCC exists to promote access to the arts for young people

‘Cooking is like meditation for a busy mind’

Promising young women

Bisoye Babalola’s response to an industry that wouldn’t let her in was Holiday Club. And we are the beneficiaries

RECOMMENDED READS • From members of Holiday Club

RECOMMENDED VIEWING

BIG Kids • ISSUES / IDEAS / IMAGINATION

Puzzles

MY PITCH VENDOR NEWS