Beam is teaming up with The Big Issue to change vendor lives

Online crowdfunding platform Beam will help Big Issue vendors into work thanks to an exciting new partnership.

The Big Issue will refer selected vendors to Alex Stephany’s tech-for-good organisation, which will provide vendors with career coaching, budgeting advice and ongoing mentorship.

Beam will also arrange childcare for parents or guardians who enter training for a specific job.

Beam supports homeless people by creating individual crowdfunders for people who might otherwise be shut out of work, inviting members of the public to contribute to the costs of the training they need for their chosen career.

Beam members tell their own stories in their own words and their progress can be tracked online while they crowdfund themselves back into work.

Some people helped by Beam have gone on to become hairdressers, electricians and and barbers.

Homelessness charities St Mungo’s and Shelter also refer disadvantaged people to the service.

While homeless figures in the UK are in the tens of thousands, Beam attracts people who want to contribute because it helps homeless people to help themselves. It’s a strictly practical strategy, and is set to outline the pragmatic but simple steps vendors can take to turn their lives around.