The Big Issue

Leading Australian street magazine THE BIG ISSUE has recently gone national. It's built its reputation and popularity in major cities Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane over the past five years. Now it is available in four other cities.

Since it's launch, enterprising individuals have sold more than 1.5 million copies of the spirited magazine. Proceeds from sales have saved countless lives. Sponsored by The Body Shop with Australia Post as a major advertiser, the fortnightly magazine has become a publishing success story.

The Big Issue is the only street magazine that readers are more than willing to pay for. Readers value the ethical and inspiring content. The Big Issue is rapidly becoming the most influential independent publication in Australia.

Our purpose/objective:
To provide a mechanism to assist homeless, ex-homeless and long term unemployed people to participate in society as independently as possible.

Our aim:
To help homeless and unemployed people help themselves.

For more information, email Bill Manallack at bigissue@infoxchange.net.au. Alternatively, visit http://www.bigissue.org.au.

The Big Issue Cape Town
As well as publishing a fortnightly magazine, The Big Step in South Africa also offers the following support programmes to Big Issue vendors:

BIG ISSUE JOB CLUB
Since The Big Issue started up, 54 vendors (April - 99) have managed to secure jobs through the job club, set up to help vendors find employment.

There are presently five Cape Town and two Wynberg vendors on the job club, actively seeking employment. Two CT vendors have secured interviews.

BIG ISSUE ACCOMMODATION
The Big Issue assists vendors in finding affordable accommodation to get off the streets and out of nightshelters.

Florence and her husband moved into a room in Mandalay. There is an urgent need for low-cost accommodation. The Big Issue is working with Casp (Co-ordinated Action with Street People) in addressing this issue - but it will take some time. Vendors are encouraged to look through the newspapers and the Casp directory is made available at both depots.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Through The Big Issue training Initiative, vendors have the opportunity to enrol in training courses. The Big Step will consider financially assisting vendors who are committed to furthering themselves. The vendor concerned is required to make a financial contribution. A Wynberg vendor has enrolled on a Practical Electronics course at the Western Province Technical College, subsidised by The Big Issue.

BIG ISSUE COMPUTER CLASSES
A six-week course is offered for two hours a week on the basics of computers. Certificates are issued to consistent and successful students.

ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE SUPPORT GROUPS
Support groups are held once a week in Wynberg and twice a week in Cape Town for vendors who are seeking help in ending alcohol or drug addiction.

Two Cape Town vendors went to Stikland for alcohol rehabilitation. Many vendors use alcohol as well as drugs like crack and heroin.

COUNSELLING
Counselling is available to vendors at the depots. The aim is to offer vendors an opportunity to examine their emotional needs. This goes a long way in helping to build up broken down self-images and encouraging good self-esteem.

Ten counselling sessions took place at Cape Town depot and six sessions at the Wynberg depot in April.

WOMEN'S GROUP
This programme was initiated by a group of female vendors at the CT depot and has since been started in Wynberg.

TBI BAND
A donation of equipment was received from the Drum Cafe. One vendor, whose initiative this was, will be holding auditions for vendors at the CT depot during the forthcoming week.

SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
We help vendors set up savings accounts if they want this facility. Karen helped a vendor open an account at Standard Bank as well as a 32-day notice investment account, in which he placed his savings of R2 500. He saved this while selling The Big Issue.

Six accounts have been opened at the Wynberg depot (March). Vendors are informed that once they have saved R500, staff will help them open a commercial bank account.

ART AND WRITING GROUP
Attendance is down. Mike Solomons wrote for the first time, while Charles Witham produced some poetry. (March)

SOCIAL EVENTS
A social outing is held once a month. In March, three vendors joined in a walk in Cecilia Forest.

For more information, visit The Big Issue Cape Town's web site at http://www.bigissue.co.za.

« About INSP  |  The Depths »