Social Development Programmes
The Big Issue operates a number of programmes designed to strengthen the wellbeing and stability of vendors and their families.
These programmes focus on education, housing, health, skills development and youth support.
Each initiative aims to address the long-term challenges created by poverty while helping vendors build more secure lives.
Education Support
Education programmes support the children of our vendors by helping them improve their academic performance.
The Big Issue Saturday School programme provides additional tuition in mathematics, mathematics literacy and physical science for high school learners.
Students receive teaching support, study materials, transport assistance and meals during classes.
The aim is to help learners achieve the marks required to enter tertiary education and pursue long-term careers.
Housing Support
With funding support from Warwick Wealth’s Spirit Foundation, our Home Improvement programme helps vendors repair and improve their homes.
Many vendors live in informal structures that are vulnerable to weather damage. Funding support helps address issues such as broken roofs, damaged floors and unsafe structures.
Improving living conditions helps strengthen the wellbeing and safety of vendor families.
Education Support
Education programmes support the children of our vendors by helping them improve their academic performance.
The Big Issue Saturday School programme provides additional tuition in mathematics, mathematics literacy and physical science for high school learners.
Students receive teaching support, study materials, transport assistance and meals during classes.
The aim is to help learners achieve the marks required to enter tertiary education and pursue long-term careers.
Health and Wellbeing
The Big Issue provides health workshops and facilitates access to health checks through partnerships with healthcare providers.
These programmes include sessions on nutrition and healthy living as well as health screening opportunities for conditions such as diabetes, HIV and vision problems.
Supporting vendor health helps ensure that vendors can continue working and supporting their families.
Supporting Women Vendors
The Big Issue South Africa has the highest proportion of female vendors among all street papers that belong to the International Network of Street Papers (INSP).
In line with national and global priorities around women’s empowerment, we focus on ensuring that women have equal access to services, resources and opportunities within our programmes.
Support for women vendors includes:
- Crèche subsidisation to assist with childcare
- Equal access to training and development programmes
- Sensitivity training for staff on women’s safety and wellbeing
- Peer support networks
- Education around women’s health issues
- Work skills and entrepreneurial development programmes
These initiatives help ensure that women vendors are supported to work safely, develop new skills and build more stable futures for themselves and their families.
Youth Development
Youth development programmes support the children of vendors through educational opportunities, mentorship and community activities.
These initiatives help young people develop confidence, expand their opportunities and build the skills needed for future careers.
little issue magazine
little issue is South Africa’s only learning magazine designed for young learners in Grades R to 3.
Developed by the Big Issue South Africa, the publication supports early literacy and numeracy through stories, activities, language exercises and puzzles aligned with the national curriculum.
Impact to date includes:
- More than 424 000 magazines distributed
- More than 1.3 million learners reached
- Distribution across five provinces
- Support for over 385 schools and early childhood development centres
The magazine is distributed free to sponsored schools and learning organisations.
