Doorway is concentrating on opening new doors for guests in order to assist them in moving on in their lives.

One of the ways that we can do this is by acting as a distribution centre for The Big Issue magazine in Chippenham.

Selling The Big Issue Magazine enables homeless or marginalised people to earn a legitimate income.

Historically, sellers have had to catch a train to Bath in order to pick up copies to sell in Chippenham. This has proved to be an unsatisfactory arrangement, and with this in mind, Doorway is now appointed as a distribution centre for a trial period.

The Big Issue

"Selling The Big Issue is a job like any other. It demands hard work and sticking to guidelines, all our sales Vendors must adhere to the 14 rules that make up our Code of Conduct (see our website for details). Breaking these rules can result in a temporary suspension or losing the opportunity to sell altogether.

Our vendors must be homeless, vulnerably housed (ie a Hostel, B&B) or recently housed. Vendors must also sell the magazines on designated pitches arranged in partnership with the local traders, town centre managers and the local council.

Vendors buy the magazine for 50% of the cover price. The profit they make is theirs to do with as they wish, just as it is for anyone else in work. We encourage all our vendors to make plans to get themselves off the streets and this can take varying lengths of time depending upon the particular case. We help our vendors to address whichever challenges they may be facing.

Selling The Big Issue is a job. Having a job helps people believe they have the means to help themselves, and countless individuals have escaped the streets because of the financial 'hand up' we have given them. We now want to find other forms of work that more homeless and those at risk can do, helping them too to overcome the challenges they face.

Our challenge is to encourage our Vendors to work on a future. Their future."

www.bigissuesouthwest.co.uk

article added 15th April 2007