Volunteering with us
Become a Volunteer
Are you keen to give back and make a positive impact? Well, why not become a volunteer with the Big Issue?
Whether you’re interested in helping out with office admin, or supporting vendors at the front desk, volunteering with the Big Issue is a great way to develop your skills and meet new people while helping to make a difference to the lives of hundreds of Big Issue vendors across the UK.
Current volunteering opportunities include:
- Birmingham
- Bournemouth
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- London
- Nottingham
For each role you will need to fill out a short application form telling us why you would like to carry out the role. For some roles, we’ll ask you to provide references. This can be from a recent place of work or education within the last year. Where this is not possible, you can provide a reference from someone who knows you, who is not a family member. If you are interested in any of the opportunities above, please email volunteering@bigissue.com.
Reasons to volunteer
All our volunteers have their own motivations for being part of the Big Issue team but here’s just some of the reasons why you should sign up
- A chance to work in a friendly team, make new friends and meet a diverse group of people
- The opportunity to spread the joy and make an invaluable contribution to our work at the Big Issue
- The ability to gain valuable transferable skills and work experience
- A way to boost your CV – it’s a tangible achievement to highlight
I joined as a volunteer in the Bournemouth office in 2009; I quickly became a part of an amazing team. I loved all the different varieties of work that went towards helping the vendors. It increased my confidence, skill set, and I was able to work with a wide range of people from different backgrounds. Without my experience of volunteering, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Kirsten
Volunteer with your company
Volunteering with your company is a great way to bring real expertise and impact that can change the lives of Big Issue vendors.
Our volunteering opportunities enable corporate volunteers to develop their skills and understand how they can make a contribution to ending homelessness. Email volunteering@bigissue.com to discuss how your company can make a difference.
“I really enjoyed the community atmosphere and the freedom given to the volunteers. The whole experience was very positive – it is one that keeps me coming back! You’ll make a big difference.”
Adam Jones, Volunteer
What training will I get?
Training will be given in various courses to support you to get the most from your role such as Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, General Health and Safety, and Data Protection among others.
“I used to stop and buy a Big Issue off a vendor and learnt there was so much more on offer for vendors. I wanted to get involved and selfishly gain skills to change career, it was so easy to register as a volunteer and the team were very supportive. Working for myself gave me a chance to dedicate some time once a week, to not only support the team but learn new skills working alongside the staff and vendors. With these new skills and experience, I was able to change career path and continue working with The Big Issue.”
Simon
