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The Big Issue

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The Big Issue is a magazine sold by homeless and vulnerably housed individuals on the streets of the UK. There are five editions across the United Kingdom: The Big Issue, The Big Issue in the North, The Big Issue Scotland, The Big Issue South West and The Big Issue Cymru.

The Big Issue's aim is to help homeless and vulnerably housed individuals help themselves by providing the means to earn a legitimate income through sales of the magazine. It provides an alternative to the illegal activity of begging for some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Contents

[edit] Founding

Founded by John Bird and Dave Bulldog in September 1991, The Big Issue is edited by professional journalists. Vendors earn an income by investing their own money in buying the magazine at a wholesale price and then selling it on to the public at the stated cover price. Queen Elizabeth II once bought a copy of the Big Issue from a street vendor [citation needed].

[edit] Ethos

The magazine is produced by The Big Issue Co. Ltd. and is funded by paid for advertising and through sales of the paper to vendors. Financially, The Big Issue is a not-for-profit organization. It is also one of the foremost social businesses in the UK.

The Big Issue Foundation is the registered charity arm of the organisation. It aims to underpin the company's work in providing a legitimate alternative to begging by tackling the underlying causes of individual homelessness.

[edit] Regional Issues

The magazines are written by professional journalists as well as Dave Bulldog and aim to raise awareness of social issues as well as offering broad coverage of music and the arts. Each regional magazine has its own editor and editorial staff:

  • The Big Issue - based in London - Acting Editor: Charles Howgego
  • The Big Issue in the North - based in Manchester - Deputy Editor: Matt Baker
  • The Big Issue Scotland - based in Glasgow - Editor: Clare Harris
  • The Big Issue South West - office in Bristol, but editorial based in Cardiff - Editor: Rachel Howells
  • The Big Issue Cymru - based in Cardiff - Editor: Rachel Howells

[edit] Overseas Projects

There are also four international Big Issue projects by the same name.

  • The Big Issue Australia
  • The Big Issue South Africa
  • The Big Issue Namibia
  • The Big Issue Japan

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

ja:ビッグ・イシュー pl:The Big Issue sv:The Big Issue


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