of sales enabled him to take a well-earned week off. Elsewhere, Paul in Nottingham says: “I managed to pick up a few more customers after my Service Broker Becky encouraged me to invest in a card reader. I picked up 16 to 17 extra customers alone in the first week I started using it. I ordered it online for £33 and it has been money well spent - I’m selling more than I ever have. "I’m proud to be the first vendor in the East Midlands to purchase my own card reader. There has been quite a lot interest locally, which has seen me interviewed by the Nottingham Evening Post and the radio station Gem FM as well as appearing on Central ITV News and East Midlands Today. One of the other vendors who has seen me with it now wants to get his own so I think it’ll catch on.”
IMPROVED FINANCES AND MONEY MANAGEMENT
£
130 outcomes
130 financial outcomes enabling Big Issue vendors to improve their budgeting skills, manage their money, open bank accounts and/or address any underlying debt issues. With the help of her Service Broker in Birmingham, Daniella attended an appointment with the Young Parent's Careers Advisor. As a result, she is now able to claim additional income in support of her young family.
WHAT YOU HELPED US ACHIEVE IN 2018-19
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The Big Issue Foundation works hard to support vendors. Here are some facts and figures that celebrate their steps forward
ervice Brokerage is our core work. Our frontline workers - Service Brokers - are trained to accurately identify the health, housing, employment and other support needs of a Big Issue vendor and provide expert information, advice and guidance on the best way to address these needs. Over the last 12 months (April 2018-March 2019), your generous support enabled our network of Service Brokers to support 1,246 Big Issue vendors to become financially independent and overcome social exclusion. This resulted in 597 positive outcomes encompassing the following:
ACHIEVED PERSONAL SALES GOALS
93 outcomes
93 outcomes enabling Big Issue vendors to achieve and exceed personal sales goals. Bristol-based vendor Jack achieved his aim of selling over 200 mags in the seven days he was featured in The Big Issue’s popular My Pitch feature. This quantity THE BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION / p4 / SUMMER 2019
REHOUSED IN SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION
56 outcomes
56 housing outcomes ensuring Big Issue vendors were supported to access safe and secure accommodation and prevented from future homelessness through ongoing tenancy support. Kimberley was accompanied to sign a housing contract with Liberty Estate agents in Finsbury Park during December. Within two months, she progressed from living on the street in London to making a sustainable living selling The Big Issue and being permanently housed.
