The Big Issue

the big list.

ISOLATED! GET OUT Explore London through its trees Did you know that there are more than eight million trees in London, almost one for every Londoner? The nature-loving urban explorers behind TreeTalk have databased 700,000 of them, spanning 600 species, and assembled their information on an interactive, free-to-access online map, allowing residents to explore, discover and identify our carbon-capturing leafy friends as they roam the streets, parks and waterways of the Big Smoke. Your daily exercise just took on a fascinating new twist. treetalk.co.uk SHOP Buy a tartan facemask from the Big Issue Shop and help the homeless Glasgow-based designers of stylish tartan-wear Slanj sell a range of special products through The Big Issue Shop from scarves to cushion covers, a portion of profits from which go to local homeless projects. Their range now includes machine-washable reusable…

mr motivator's fitness plan

WEEK 10 CRUNCH TIME Let the crunch no longer be the sound of you munching on yet another packet of crisps – in the bin with those unhealthy things! – and instead the name of your new most effective exercise. A must-do if you want to tighten those abs, this one’s all about making things difficult for yourself by lifting your legs and placing extra weight on your stomach muscles. Follow @MrMotivator on Twitter and @realmrmotivator on Instagram for more daily exercises…

the big issue manifesto

A hand up... Proceeds from sales of this magazine are being used to tide over our vendors until they can get back to work on their pitches. Not a handout… In ordinary circumstances our vendors buy magazines for half the cover price and sell at full price, keeping the difference. They earn a legitimate income, and gain valuable social and employability skills. With your support now, we will continue to do so once the crisis has passed. The right to citizenship… The Big Issue Foundation, our charitable arm, helps sellers tackle social and financial exclusion. Prevention… Big Issue Invest offers backing and investments to social enterprises, charities and businesses which deliver social value to communities.…

totally natural

I have been a supporter of The Big Issue since its inception, and have bought the magazine since its early days whenever possible. My regular vendor is Jasmine, outside Sainsbury’s in Pinner – I do hope she’s OK. I am now subscribing by post and I think this week’s issue [May 21-27] is one of the best ever. I was particularly moved and inspired by ‘These stagnant days are still full of life’. With young people like Dara McAnulty in it, the world is assured of a good future. Doreen Samuels, Pinner @PMCinthenorth Great article by @NaturalistDara in @BigIssue about the wonderment of the outdoors. Sat outside reading it - it’s all true. letters@bigissue.com @bigissue /bigissueUK @bigissueuk…

platform.

THIS WEEK WE ASKED YOU... You respond to our report that the government is pledging to build 6,000 homes for rough sleepers @samuelsibeko It’s the investment in MH support, substance misuse, vice, exploitation and abuse, that’s required too. More complex from my admittedly limited knowledge, that’s its not simply a case of housing to solve it. A welcome yes, if delivered, but prevention not just ‘cure’ please. @VonSkinnback This government said that, not a chance it is going to happen. @bondsnood This would be great if lack of housing was the sole reason for homelessness. @chaswhiskey Alas, with all the job losses from the pandemic, they will have a lot more homeless people to deal with, and no doubt less money to invest. @johncherrie65 The new normal should be no homeless people on the streets. Commercial property will be available for…

the sun sets on these days, but we go on

I live in Scotland. There are a lot of golf courses here. I’m not telling you anything new about the golf courses. This has always been known. Scotland is famous for golf. It’s like telling you there is sand in the desert. I’ve passed by many courses but until recently I’d never stepped on one. Then, as Covid ripped and we all looked around for places to walk, like Caesar I crossed the Rubicon. And what a world lay rolling in front of me to be conquered. Such walks, such tended thickets, such panoramic views to the Campsie Fells and round beyond Ben Lomond and south-west on to Arran. Glorious late spring weather helped, of course. But, when the crowds thinned out and as uncertainty raged, these became places of refuge and…