Big Issue

The idea for the Big Issue originally started in London but Adelaide is doing their own thing to make it grow. Last year there was a ‘Big Lunch’ in the Central Markets, where some local big wigs and sponsors got together and put on a rather massive fund-​raising lunch for the Big Issue. It sold out apparently, but what would I know, I’m not a glitterati. Kate Ellis and Poh from Masterchef also donned the Big Issue vests last year and sold some mags to get the word out too.
I used to buy it constantly when I was a student but over the years I’ve lost interest. It was partly due to rushing around and being forgetful and partly because it’s so darn awkward sometimes. You don’t know whether to grab a copy or wait to be handed one, sometimes you’re holding out money and they don’t take it… as an Adelaidean I don’t cope well with awkward confrontation. But for a couple of bucks and an occasional odd moment I get a good read and support locals trying to get back on track: it’s win win and I for one and going to make more of an effort to buy this year.

I have passionately believed in this cause since I lived in Britain.
It helps the homeless to help themselves and I have yet to find a vendor who is not friendly. Some of the guys around Adelaide also have some really cute dogs.
The magazine offers an interesting read and gives people who are struggling a hand up, rather than a handout — and all for only five bucks.
GOOD READS
Some of the articles may be a little too extreme left-​wing for some people, but there are also some good feature reads.
REASONABLY PRICED
The magazine is only five bucks, so if you can afford it, even if you disbelieve the political agenda of the publication, it won’t hurt you to help a fellow human being out once in a while.
IT COULD BE YOU
I always remember the story of when Prince Charles visited the Big Issue offices in London and ran into an old school mate who was a Big Issue seller. He was a millionaire whose business collapsed in a recession; his wife divorced him and he ended up on the streets. Every time I buy a Big Issue I think of this and count my blessings.

This is one for those who have been finding the whole unemployment issue too much to deal with and really require some support to get t heir motivation levels up and income stream a little flushed. You’ve seen the folk around selling ‘The Big Issue’ which is a very well put together magazine written by professional writers from all walks of life. Well this is the home office where the vendors, otherwise known as street sellers of the magazine register and start to make a difference in their life.
‘The Big Issue’ has been around as a community capacity building enterprise for some time now, I would suggest a decade at least. It is something that has really worked for a great deal of people, getting them out of a rut on unemployment benefits and helping them to build self esteem and courage to go out and make a difference in their own life. The system is for people who have been on a low income for a while, and whom are finding it difficult to get gainful employment, but really want to work towards that.
The vicious cycle is that the longer you are unemployed the more unemployable you become as technologies and social standards keep shifting the boundaries of what basic skills you need for a range of jobs. Here you can get involved very quickly and be out on the street selling a well loved magazine, reaping the rewards and learning you do have skills.
How do you know it is not for you unless you look into it a little further? You may find it is the sort of endeavour you really needed to help you step up, so why not check it out?
A couple of handy tips for you if you are looking for the contact office in Adelaide — the address says North Terrace okay, but it’s on the eastern side of the church building you will find there. Also don’t be put off by the church — it is not a religious organisation — the church is just a really good central low rent office space and classroom for them to be using. Make the phone call first to sort out an appointment as the opening hours may vary a little and you will have a much better experience if you call first. It may be that you can not call or don’t have the facilities to call first, if that is really the case do just drop in and be ready to possibly have to come back at another time.
This organisation has a great track record of helping homeless people, people with varying abilities both physical and intellectual, so do not ever feel you are too low on the food chain to seek assistance and advice from them; they care about you as long as you care about yourself.