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Projects

Homelessness can destroy self-esteem and motivation. Projects help vendors to build self-esteem, confidence and develop a sense of purpose. They can provide a crucial step in people’s efforts to tackle long-term problems bringing vendors together and fostering a sense of community. Some have attracted big-name supporters, and crucially, they have often proved pivotal in helping vendors move on with their lives.

In the North, new cultural industries are now major employers. The social impact of participation in the arts is widely accepted to be a positive force for regeneration. These projects don’t just boost self-confidence – they’re a creative approach to enabling vendors to acquire skills useful in the modern economy.

Drumming
At our drumming workshops in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, vendors learnt different rhythms and had the chance to improvise. The Manchester Big Issue in the North Drummers have received press recognition, and have performed with the Halle Orchestra in the Spirit of Change festival. Drummers in Liverpool have taken part in the BBC Music Live festival.

Drama
Original members of Manchester’s Drama Group were successful in forming an independent theatre company, ‘Naked Subculture’. With the help of other partnership agencies including Community Arts Northwest and Cardboard Citizens the group performed at a number of venues across the region and worked with vendors in Manchester to create House, a play which explained life on the edge of modern society.

Internet TV
An ambitious and innovative project that vendors got involved was Internet TV. Working in partnership with FACT (Facility for Art and Creative Technology) from Liverpool, vendors used all the latest technology to deliver eight ‘Live’ programmes from Manchester and two from Liverpool to the viewing public on the Internet. More than 50 people contributed to the project and they participated at all levels, from operating the cameras, conducting live interviews, preparing short documentaries to performing poetry and music on air. People from Manchester to Australia logged on to watch the live programmes.

Appreciative Inquiry group
Do you see the glass as half empty or half full? This group explored what happens if we look at the world from a more appreciative angle.

Cookery
Different cookery groups run across our centres. Cookery allows vendors to develop their culinary skills, learn about healthy eating, and provides a social setting to relax and eat the meals they produce.

Arts group
Arts projects include making mosaics, masks and sculptures, attending poster workshops, working with local artists and photographers to develop skills.

Portraits and poetry
The Stepping Stones Poetry Project and the Portraits Project run by the Artist Geoff Read and poet Mike Garry was a tremendous success. The culmination of this work being a gallery of portraits and poetry created by and with vendors. Extensive coverage of this project appeared in the vendors’ ‘Coming up from the Streets’ section of the magazine. All the work from these projects was exhibited in September 2003 at our Manchester headquarters. This project was funded by Royal Mail Stepping Stones.

Homeless World Cup
In 2003, The first Homeless World Cup took place. Staged in Graz, Austria it attracted teams from all over the world including Spain, Italy, USA and Brasil. The tournament is now entering its 5th year and grows in size every time. Each year The Big Issue in the North trains and develops the England team, with football training and support from Manchester United. Players come from across England to take part in the first round of trials, which are usually held in January. Previous England team players have gone on to be signed by semi-professional football teams, have taken part in coaching qualifications, re-entered full time employment and been re-united with family members.

Women’s group
Homeless women often face a whole range of additional difficulties and fall through the gaps in homelessness provision. The women’s group provides a space for women to talk about their situation and renegotiate problematic relationships. Through a range of activities, including horse riding, canoeing and a womens’ health day, they improve their self-esteem and have fun. Projects like these inspire people to become more positive about their lives.

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