“I used to inspect trees for a living. I’ve got a Masters in forestry, a degree in land management and the equivalent of a degree as a forest schools leader. So I’m really well qualified, but it’s hard to get work, and my past has held me back.
I lost a child when I was in my twenties. That caused my first drug problem. I got over that, got away from it, but then I got mixed up in gangs and I was nearly killed. I suffer from depression, but Big Issue North helps me keep going.”
Almost half of our vendors see themselves moving on from selling Big Issue North in the near future, but they often face numerous barriers to alternative employment.
Last year, Big Issue North staff supported 36 vendors into education and 156 vendors into new employment. Please give today to help us to support more vendors like Nick to move on with their lives in 2021.