The Encourager

The Big Issue is a current affairs and entertainment magazine sold on the streets of Australia by the mentally ill, disabled, homeless or anyone struggling in life. You can be on the disability support pension and just earn a few extra dollars to boost your income to the amount we are allowed to earn like I do at times or some make it a full time occupation. You recive training, your first uniform free of a vest, t shirt and hat. You buy the magazine for half the cover price then sell it with the difference as your profit.You are given a set ‘pitch’ to sell it on. We are limited by local councils and shops but new places are opening up all the time.  If you don’t have the money to start off with they can loan you a few until you pay it back. The Big Issue comes out fortnightly and can be a good money earner as there are no set amounts you have to sell.  Anyone can be a big issue vendor, they will take on any one. I have even read of a blind man who sells it. I sell it with limited speech from a condition called aphasia. People with cerebal paly, scizophrenia, bi polar, people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction and limited limbs. “We offer a hand up not a hand out”. www.bigissue.org.au There are similair schemes in some other countries. Even buy one if you see a vendor on the street. They will have a flueresent vest, red hat and I.D badge.