The Big Issue

The Big Issue is the name of a magazine sold by people who are trying to earn enough money to help stop them being homeless. It is a magazine that is interesting and features stories about homeless people. On our visit to The Big Issue office, the people there told us their stories and how unfortunate circumstances can lead to people becoming homeless. Homelessness isn’t a choice, it could happen to anyone at any time. They explained how some people choose to live on the streets rather than the share houses governments provide. They explained how the share houses can be really dangerous, especially for females as they’re more vulnerable to attacks and sexual assault and there is a lack of security. 

We met a lady who said that it is safer to sleep out on the streets. Not all homeless people are the stereotypes that we hear who end up on the streets. Not all homeless people are influenced by drugs or alcohol. All of them are young people, mostly men, teens and women who don’t have stable families.

The Big Issue helps homeless people have a chance in life to start a better life by men selling magazines and females working in a safe environment inside an office packing magazines. They also offer community sports for anyone wanting to play sports in a community.

One of the things I had learnt when I went to the Big Issue on Collins Street was The Big Issue has helped many homeless people get back up on their feet by providing them with work, so they are able to make some money to put towards something they want or need. It gives them a sense of purpose every day.

Some people that the organisation have helped have many interesting stories. One of them included one of the men’s stories that he shared with us about witnessing his son’s death in a car accident. It haunted him so badly every day that he turned to drugs and alcohol to cope until he lost control over his life and became homeless. He spent all his money on alcohol and drugs and had no direction in life. Thanks to his work with The Big Issue he now visits schools and gives talks about his past and how he is going today which has improved his life. The stories we heard changed our perspective on homelessness.

                     Cengiz Togay - Matthew Cedeno - Belinda Dobrzynski - Alex Putra