Everything You Need to Know About… The Big Issue Community Roadshow
The Big Issue is taking to the road and Newcastle is their very first stop
This October, the Big Issue Community Roadshow is launching in Newcastle before it heads off to other cities across the country on a UK-wide mission to tackle poverty head-on.
Whether you’re looking for employment, a local organisation pushing for change or want to voice your opinion about matters important to our city, the Big Issue Community Roadshow is your chance.
Read on to find out what’s happening when the roadshow comes to Newcastle and how to get involved.
What is the Big Issue Community Roadshow?
It’s a new campaign from the Big Issue Group that aims to tackle poverty and bring about real change by getting into the heart of communities and hearing what they have to say about what matters most to them.
For one week, the whole Big Issue Group – its editorial team, social investment arm Big Issue Invest and recruitment service Bigg Issue Recruit – will visit a city across Britain and Newcastle is its first stop-off.
When is it happening?
The roadshow is taking place from Tuesday 1st October to Thursday 3rd October.
Where is it happening?
The Big Issue crew will in the city centre throughout the roadshow’s three-day run, but some events and drop-in sessions are taking place at specific places. Check out more information on that below.
What’s going on during the Big Issue Community Roadshow?
The Big Issue Group have a packed programme of things going on, so we’ve put together a handy breakdown to what’s going on.
Tuesday 1st October
The Big Issue Recruit team will be at the 5G Immersive Lab in Eldon Square. At 10am, they’re hosting a presentation for people to find out more about how to get into Big Issue vending and what kind of help into employment the Big Issue Recruit service offers. Between 10am and 4pm, members of the community can get one-to one work advice from a Big Issue Recruit job coach.
The Big Issue Group will also be dotted throughout the city centre with vendors and frontline staff to talk about magazine vending, how to get involved or how to recommend them to others.
Wednesday 2nd October
Big Issue’s editorial team will be at Floe in The Stamp Exchange on Westgate Road where members of the community can drop in to share their stories and highlight issues they think the Big Issue magazine should be focusing on.
Thursday 3rd October
Big Issue Invest will host a series of informal one-to-one deal surgeries for local, impact-driven organisations at 5G Immersive Lab in Eldon Square. Learn more about their funding opportunities and discuss matters like how to improve cashflow and boost social impact.
Finally, on Thursday evening, the roadshow comes to a close with The Big Issue Big Debate which is happening at The Common Room from 7pm.
What is the Big Issue Big Debate?
It’s a Question Time-style panel chaired by Big Issue editor Paul McNamee that’s open to anyone who wants to come along and contribute their insights, ask questions and hear what its panel members have to say.
Alongside Big Issue founder John Bird, the panel features figures from local business, culture, politics and grassroots leadership including social entrepreneur Charlotte Windebank and Earl Charlton – a former Newcastle Big Issue vendor who went on to feature in the acclaimed documentary Someone’s Daughter, Someone’s Son.
The debate is free to attend, but tickets can be reserved via Eventbrite to secure your spot.
We all know that poverty is a massive issue in the UK, but with the help of the Big Issue Community Roadshow we can bring about real change – and it starts right here in Newcastle.
The Big Community Roadshow will be in Newcastle from Tuesday 1st October to Thursday 3rd October. For more information, visit the Big Issue website.
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