Big Issue North, a street magazine sold by around 350 vendors in the North West, Yorkshire, and the Humber regions, has launched its 2025 calendar which is now available for purchase from vendors and at shop.bigissuenorth.com.
The primary purpose of Big Issue North is to support vendors who face various barriers to mainstream employment, such as homelessness, lack of formal qualifications or work experience, no ID or bank account, language barriers, health challenges, and care responsibilities.
All proceeds from the sale of the calendar will either go directly to the vendors or support the Big Issue North Trust, a registered charity (charity number 1056041), in their efforts to help more people find employment and provide support services such as access to accommodation, education and skills training, ID and card readers, and home furnishing packages.
This year’s calendar showcases the north through the eyes of the vendors themselves, providing a unique perspective on the region. While the north is experiencing growth and development, with cities like Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds earning prestigious titles such as UNESCO City of Literature and European Capital of Culture, there is also a darker reality behind the shiny façade.
Recent statistics show that one in every 200 people in the UK is currently experiencing homelessness. In Manchester, this number rises to one in 74, and the North West, Yorkshire, and the Humber regions are among the five lowest income areas in the country.
To capture this contrast, four vendors – Andrew in Sheffield, Colin in Manchester, Vasile in Leeds, and Christopher in Liverpool – were accompanied by up-and-coming photographers Cory Schiltz and Abi Black on tours of their cities. The calendar features their unique perspectives on the north, showcasing the glamour of modern arts spaces and historic landmarks alongside the neglected high-rises and unsheltered underpasses that many in these otherwise prosperous cities call home.
The north has a rich history of hard work, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Today, Big Issue vendors continue this tradition, but they face additional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With fewer people carrying cash and many vendors experiencing homelessness unable to accept card payments, it has become increasingly difficult for them to make a living in cities where the cost of living is rising.
Chris, a Big Issue vendor in Manchester, laments the impact of the pandemic on his sales, saying, “The city feels much emptier than it used to. I miss my regulars who used to stop by on their way to work or during lunch breaks. Now it’s dead slow, and people just walk by.”
The calendar also features Mabel and Dottie, the beloved canine companions of Andrew and his partner Mel, who are both Big Issue vendors in Sheffield. Andrew says, “They’re both so funny and sweet. If we’re upset, Dottie will go up and put her head on your shoulder. She can just sense when something’s wrong. They brighten your day.”
The 2025 Big Issue North calendar is now available for purchase and provides a unique perspective on the north through the eyes of its vendors. To support these hardworking individuals and the Big Issue North Trust, visit vendors or shop.bigissuenorth.com to purchase a calendar today.
