One year in: how giffgaff’s support is transforming life for vendors

Digital devices allow us to plan and organise our time, keep in touch with friends and loved ones, arrange medical appointments, and even help us earn and learn. They are an essential part of everyday life. For people who are digitally excluded, it’s not a matter of being denied a luxury – it’s missing out on an essential tool needed to survive.

That’s why Big Issue’s partnership with giffgaff has been vital. Over the last 12 months, hundreds of marginalised people have been helped with devices and digital skills from giffgaff, from jobseekers with Big Issue Recruit to vendors earning their living selling magazines.

Through this landmark partnership, giffgaff has already donated over 1,000 refurbished phones so that Big Issue can support vendors and others to escape the grip of poverty. In an increasingly cashless society, access to technology is hugely significant. Only 12% of transactions are cash these days, so enabling vendors to take card payments has helped them stay visible, resilient and financially secure. Once a vendor is able to take cashless payments, their sales increase by an average of 30% – or an extra £500 a year.

The partnership has also delivered Financial and Digital Inclusion training sessions for vendors and candidates with Big Issue Recruit, the specialist service helping people overcome obstacles to work. Four hundred jobseekers have been provided with phones via Big Issue Recruit to supercharge their search for work.

“We’re hugely proud of all that we’ve achieved through our partnership with giffgaff in 2025,” said Big Issue’s managing director Russell Blackman. “We look forward to helping to change more lives through our partnership in 2026 and beyond.”

Some of our vendors got in touch to tell us about the importance of making connections.

Paul Logan

“I’m a happy chappy vendor of 20 years. I’m also a part-time coordinator, which means I deliver the magazines to the vendors. It’s a lot of interaction with a real variety of interesting people. I get to know all the different vendors and find out what their issues are, getting them the assistance they need, whether it’s getting a bank account, registering for housing, or if they need a new phone.

“If you can only take cash it’s really going to limit your sales. The world is changing, we need to change with it. Having a giffgaff phone gives us the ability to go cashless, which is a 100% game changer. Big thanks to giffgaff for joining up in partnership with Big Issue. They’re a huge asset. Huge difference.”

James Allerton

“People say, ‘We only carry card’. I was worried about losing customers. But taking payments on my phone is quick and safe. The phone is really good. It’s helpful for lots of things.

“I used to have to prick my fingers three or four times a day to monitor blood sugar levels. I don’t have to do that any more. Now I just check with my phone.”

Mike Turner

“I returned to the UK from overseas at the end of 2023 and was homeless for six or seven weeks. Doesn’t sound long, but believe me, one day is too much on the street.

“I became aware that I could earn money from Big Issue and get some independence. It was a good step for me. Big Issue said I could get a phone and that made a big difference, being able to make sales. It increased my revenue.

“With my age and health complications, you have to have a phone – even to get a doctor’s appointment. It’s a life-saving tool for anybody. Every month we get some free credit, which means I can contact my kids. It’s not a want, it’s a need. Big shout out to giffgaff.”

André Rostant

“What I love about this job is people. There’s no more such a thing as one person than there is one ant. All we have is other people. And in the end, the more interaction that you have with other people, the more you realise how lovely people are.

“I’ve had a giffgaff phone from Big Issue and it’s helped tremendously. It’s doubled my sales for a start, because a lot of people don’t carry cash any more. And the phone itself is very easy to use.

“Thank you for choosing Big Issue because it’s really benefitting the vendors. And it’s benefitting the customers who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to get a copy of Big Issue.”

Leona

“I love people, communication and community. Without that, I couldn’t sell any magazines. It’s not just about selling magazines – I want to talk to people. I’ve made a lot of friends.

“My giffgaff phone is amazing because it’s very easy to use. Even if it falls, it’s not broken. For me, it’s amazing.”

Four hundred jobseekers with Big Issue Recruit were provided with phones and coaching support to supercharge their search for work. Ainoa Lopez is one of them. She says:

“The phone and the support – it’s a game changer. Having a working phone is amazing, otherwise you are relying on going to the library or things like that. It makes it so much easier to search for jobs or reply to emails. And having a phone where employers can call you is important.”

Upgrading your phone this Christmas?
Recycle your old phone and donate to Big Issue at giffgaffrecycle.com.