Selling the Big Issue ?

I was wondering if anyone can help me out with some information on selling "the Big Issue" newspaper in Sydney Australia.

Im very keen to give selling it ago.

Im currently not homeless but i have mental health issues and work in the sex industry to prevent myself from being homeless. If i did not work in this industry i would be on the street with no money/shelter of food. I would rather die as i know i wouldnt survive on the street..so i engage in what i call survival sex...it allows me to live safely..i only do the bear minimum enough to pay rent and food.
Because im not an australian citizen im not entitiled to any sort of benefits or assistance.

I was just wondering if anyone knew if you have to be an australian citizen to sell the big issue ?

I will get in contact with the big issue when i get up the courage...just wondering if anyone knows if i may be able to sell it if im not a citizen?

I seriously doubt they care if you don't have citizenship.

I've sent a personal message to one of the members of this forum who works at the big issue to come and answer your question (I think it's Ann).

The vendors I know have all said good things about the experience. So I encourage you when the time is right to give it a go.

Here are the contact details I found for the Sydney branch:
Manager: Justine Diana Vendor Support/Admin: Ann Swiniarski
Sydney
Level 5 Suite 58
8-24 Kippax Street
Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Phone: (02) 9212 2284

BTW, if you don't know the ppl from SWOP (Sex Worker's Outreach Project), you may want to check them out too: http://www.swop.org.au/

Greetings Starla,
I have been involved in Street Magazines and papers for quite a while now and I would encourage you to use that avenue to explore..
I have met some of the Australian Big Issue crew and they seem to run a sound magazine.. Which I think you will have no problems selling..The idea is that you are selfemployed..your background will never come into it. You enter a commitement to sell the Street Paper in a manner that will not bring disrepute to the publication thus harming others chance to earn an income etc.. That is and should be the only commitement by you. Hopefully the BI Australia crew will also make some sort of commitements to you as in directing you towards advice or any other help or assistance you may need.
In Ireland we have recently set up a street paper and our aims are at http://streetseennews.blogspot.com/2005/03/street-seen-what-we-stand-for.html
This would be based on a template that should underpin the philosophy of Street Papers as practiced right across the world we believe..

Anyhows I would suggest selling the Magazine..Get a chat with them as fortunatly most people I have met internationally in Street Papers are sound people...
And remember, homeless Magazines are for Homeless People...Its your Magazine..we can use them to get a message from the Streets..
Dominic has provided you with the relevant details get in touch and give it a lash!!
Good Luck :)

Thanks....I'll give it a go :)

Hey, just wondering how you went with the big issue, if it's been able to happen yet?

Hi Dominic...

No i havent been in touch with the big issue yet....sounds silly but im procrastinating about doing it..mainly because im scared i will fail..then ill be stuck in my job forever as i cant see anyway out of the industry as its all i have ever done....

I have heard lots about SWOP but im not too good at asking for help...
I like to keep to myself really

but i know ill be in touch with the big issue soon as soon as i stop procrasting :)

I've gotta give you credit for being honnest.

Maybe you just need a deflection type excuse. You know a lot of other people who may benefit from both, so maybe you could go on the basis of a fact finding mission. See what they have to offer then you will know and be able to recomend to others. That way there is no need to do anything, just put your toe in the water.

Anyway, I'm sure you will check em out in your own good time.

Hey Starla, don't know how you went with Big issue, but I have a fair bit to do with them in my current job and I can tell you, they're a really cool group of people. If you want to sell it you don't have to make any commitments, you can do it for 30 mins a week if you like, or not at all. You just rock up in the morning and pick up the copies of the big issue on the day you want to do it.

PS Are you in Sydney?
SWOP are pretty good. Also if you need someone to talk to and don't feel comfortable talking to them call City Street Outreach Service - 02 9211 6454
or reverse charges - 12550
or of course Dominic and everyone elso on this forum are full of info!!!