5 ways mobile phones are changing Big Issue vendors’ lives

In November 2023, giffgaff partnered with the Big Issue and provided 250 refurbished phones to give to their vendors. The refurbished phones allow Big Issue vendors to take cashless payments when selling the magazine, but they have also had an effect in other aspects of their lives. Let’s take a closer look.

Online banking is easier

Felipe Ramirez, head of the Big Issue’s cashless programme, has noticed vendors have become a lot more efficient with online banking services and, as a result, are much more efficient at money management.

Brigitta Claudia, a vendor based in Glasgow, received her refurbished phone shortly before Christmas 2023 and was very excited as it was her first iPhone.

“My bank account is there, and sometimes when I go to the shop I pay with my phone too, it’s very cool.”

Keeping in touch with family

We all send countless texts to our families every day, probably more than you realise. For some Big Issue vendors, this is a luxury they hadn’t experienced until the Big Issue partnered with giffgaff.

With their refurbished phone from giffgaff, many vendors have found keeping in touch with their family much easier, especially if distance is a factor. Bristol-based vendor Maricica Tataru uses her refurbished phone to stay in contact with her family in Romania and is super impressed with how easy it is to use compared to her old device which was “very slow and broken”.

Checking public transport

Being able to check public transport times or delays is essential, particularly if you have a job to get to. In rural or less populated areas, there may not be an automated screen or announcement telling you the information you need, forcing you to rely on your phone.

Marsilia Cimpeanu, a London-based vendor, has found this aspect of her refurbished phone particularly useful.

“I’ve been using it a lot for checking the weather, when the buses are coming and when the shops were open over Christmas.”

Staying up to date

Phone manufacturers will often stop updating older models with the newest operating systems, causing problems for people who don’t have the resources to get a newer model phone.

This can have a particular impact on social media and other communication apps as the likes of Facebook and Instagram will eventually stop working on older phones.

Daniel Novac, a Scottish Big Issue vendor is enjoying the many benefits of having a newer model refurbished phone.

“I had a smartphone before, but it was old, so I couldn’t get all the apps I needed. Now I can get everything I need and it’s much better, so I’m very happy.”

Keeping in touch with school

Schools are turning more and more to electronic means of communication, especially since the pandemic, which makes having a newer model phone essential for keeping up with school reports and extracurricular activities.

Marsilia Cimpeanu uses her refurbished phone all the time.

“I use it for daily things. My boys’ school has an app where I can check what activities are going on, if there’s any after-school clubs.”

How can you support your local vendor?

Grab a copy of the Big Issue. You can use the Big Issue website to find your local vendor or help Big Issue vendors by buying a Winter Support Kit.