Tuesday 27 September 2011

Big Birthday!

This week marks the 20th anniversary of our sister organisation The Big Issue.
Since the first magazine was published in 1991, it has helped countless homeless and vulnerably housed individuals get back on their feet and construct a future for themselves, and not just in the UK but worldwide.

The idea was that of John Bird and Gordon Roddick who were passionate about helping the homeless and dispossessed, by providing them with the means to make a legitimate living. Big Issue vendors are not begging, they are working. They buy the magazine for £1 and sell it for £2, giving them motivation to sell the magazine, plus a weekly routine and structure, a crucial aspect in the process of transforming their lives.

A bumper 56-page birthday edition of the magazine is out now and includes John Bird talking about the magazine and a look back at the magazine’s history through its covers.

There are also celebratory stories from ex-vendors who have successfully turned their lives around, thanks to selling The Big Issue. Quotes from these stories include: “It got me into regular habits: getting up, getting to my pitch.” – Terry Gore. “I love my life now and I couldn’t have got to where I am now without The Big Issue” – Antonio Felicio. “Selling the magazine also gives you a purpose in life” – George Malone. These stories prove what The Big Issue has achieved and how it has helped so many people.

The birthday edition of the magazine also includes some special birthday messages from David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Boris Johnson, John Hurt, James Corden, Will Self, Suggs, Natascha McElhone and many more celebrity fans of the magazine.

Unfortunately, homelessness is still an issue today, a big issue, but by giving these individuals “a hand up, not a hand out” – a difference can be made.

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY BIG ISSUE!


Friday 23 September 2011

Autumn's here!

Summer has gone for another year and autumn has arrived along with the annual harvest festivals.

Here we have five great harvest events happening in London this weekend to get you in the autumnal mood, and to make them even better - they are all free!

Friday 23rd September & Saturday 24th September 11.00-21.00 and Sunday 25th September 11.00-18.00, free.
Southbank Centre Square, SE1 8XX
Celebration of the best produce available at this time of year. Taste and buy delicious food, watch food demonstrations from top chefs and check out the sheep shearing demonstration four times each day.

Sunday 25th September, 13.00, free.
Guildhall Yard, Gresham Street, EC2V 5AE
Enjoy traditional entertainment from the iconic London Pearly Kings and Queens in their pearl button covered suits. There will then be a parade with marching bands, to St Mary–le-Bow church for the annual harvest festival service.

Friday 23rd September & Saturday 24th September 16.00-23.00 and Sunday 25th September 11.00-18.00, free.
Shoreditch Park, New North Road, N1 6TA
Traditional German celebration of the harvest. Plenty of 1 litre beers and delicious German food to buy, plus singing and dancing on benches. Great fun.

Sunday 25th September , 11.00-17.00, free.
The Regent’s Park allotment, corner of Chester Road
Delicious seasonal produce inclusing artisan bread and fresh apple juice, scarecrow-making workshop, children’s activities and Capital Growth’s ‘big raffle’.

Saturday 24th September and Sunday 25th September, free.
Various locations.
Free led walks all over London.


Tuesday 13 September 2011

Put on your walking shoes

On Friday 30th September 2011, over 500 people will be taking to the streets to walk 15 miles around London to support homeless and vulnerable people across the UK - and you could join them!

The Big London Night Walk is an annual fundraising event for The Big Issue Foundation and this will be the biggest and best yet, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of The Big Issue Magazine.

This fantastic event is a chance to make a real difference to people's lives and have a great time while doing so. See London wake up, take in the city's iconic landmarks, meet the vendors and hear their stories of how The Big Issue has helped them. And if that wasn't enough, enjoy a music gig along the way too!

To register click here. Registration costs are £30 for individuals with £250 sponsorship target or £100 for a team of 4-6 with a sponsorship target of £1000.

The Big Issue Foundation changes lives and you can too by taking part in this wonderful and inspiring event.

And if you are still not sure, maybe these vendors can persuade you.......




.......and remember, "small steps, big changes".