The Big Issue In Scotland

The Big Issue of a fantastic organisation aimed at giving the homeless a «hand up, not a hand out» by providing them with an opportunity to be part of something which represents there cause and allows them to help themselves both financially and within society.
With pitches all over Glasgow we’ve all seen the guys and gals around the city selling the weekly magazine. In it you’ll find a range of articles, educational, informal and just plain twaddle, enough variety to keep you entertained and leave you willing to buy it again.
I think the issues is a worthwhile cause and an excellent way to side step the stigma attached by some people of giving money to people on the street which still seems to put some people off giving.

I’m not really sure how to rate this one. On one hand, I know that it gives homeless people a chance to get some money back together and start on the long road back to employment, so to that effect it’s a worthwhile cause to support.
Reading it however, is another story. Lately it seems overcome with celebrity gossip and articles that feel like cut and pastes from the Metro. I also find the tone a bit grating. It’s all fine and well for a middle class journalist to lecture me about poverty, but perhaps giving some more of the magazine over to the actual homeless people to air their views, rather than the frankly patronising poetry section they’re usually reduced to, wouldn’t go amiss.
If I’m going to be really controversial, I’d also suggest the Big Issue are actually a little bit stingy in only giving half of the cover price to the sellers. I don’t believe for a second the paper costs 70p per copy to produce.
Despite my criticisms, when I see the blind girl outside Central Station selling them, or the sad looking guy with the beard at Charing Cross, I can’t criticise it too harshly, and so will still recommend you buy it when you can.

II LOVE THE BIG ISSUE.
The idea is simple; you buy the magazine from a homeless or vulnerable person so they are able to earn an income with dignity. In exchange, you receive a top-​quality magazine that is worth every penny. The content is fantastic and for £1.50 you get access to quality investigative journalism, arts, culture, music and current affairs. The work of Adam Forrest and Vicky Davidson is particular note worthy.
The Big Issue is also Scotland’s biggest weekly current affairs and entertainment magazine. Over 170,000 buy this gem every week which gives homeless and vulnerable people £127,500 extra money week in week out. If you look at this over a year it comes to nearly 6.5 million pounds (£6,630,000 to be exact).
Copies are on sale across the city from hundreds of vendors who buy their magazines for half the price. Popular pick up spots are outside big shopping centres, transport stops and busy streets– you wont have to look very hard.
GENIUS stuff and it is out every Monday!