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.

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THE DISPATCH • News, views & miscellany

The Big Issue

An open letter to Keir Starmer

LETTERS

We came, we saw, we listened. And this is what we’ve learned

The first mayor of the North East has a big vision to revitalise Newcastle

Back to Byker, where grassroots hubs are giving young people a fighting chance

It takes an army to drive the country’s biggest food bank • Newcastle Foodbank is the largest in the UK. It shouldn’t even exist but, while it is needed, it is supported by a vast network of local volunteers who work tirelessly to keep their community from going hungry. We spent 24 hours with them: Isabella McRae went to find out how the food bank offers much more than just food parcels, and Liam Geraghty headed out with the NUFC fans collecting donations before the match

From Gateshead to Paris on a BMX

Rebuilding hope, from the grassroots up • Handcrafted is an incredible charity that turns people’s lives around through learning a craft. It takes derelict properties and creates housing, while teaching trainees to build their own homes

When communities step in to do the heavy lifting

‘I don’t want to be involved in politics. I want to do things from the outside’ • From Countdown icon to calling out the government, Carol Vorderman demands our attention

COLIN GREENWOOD • He’s had a stellar career in music, but the Radiohead star still regrets upsetting his history teacher, and growing a ponytail

SURPLUS

Of mice and men

The horse we rode in on

‘It feels like we are on the precipice of something’

LONE VOICE

LUCY SWEET IS ON THE VERGE

Resistance bands

Puzzles

MY PITCH

Hello and welcome to the Social Enterprise Academy Schools special edition in partnership with Big Issue.

The Big Issue

How the Social Enterprise Academy empowers communities to change the world

What’s new in SEA schools • Social Enterprise Schools projects create innovative and bold social businesses, which fearlessly tackle social issues in their local communities. Here’s how they are addressing big issues, from poverty to social isolation, and from mental health challenges to addiction

Strength in numbers

Going global to reach a bold goal

How a social enterprise changed my life • In the 17 years since Social Enterprise Scotland launched its very first projects in schools, the programme has touched thousands of lives. Across seven countries, more than 77,000 young people have been involved in setting up social enterprises, learning valuable skills and making a real difference in their communities. These are just two of those life-changing stories