The Big Issue (TBI) develops and operates social enterprises and creative, sustainable solutions to overcome poverty; providing opportunities for homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people to positively change their lives. Assistance is needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 4 hours minimum at a time between 9am - 1pm (negotiable). Volunteers are also welcome to attend the fortnightly magazine launch and breakfast early on Friday mornings.

The Big Issue Vendor Sales & Support team require additional and ongoing assistance with the daily running of the Vendor Support office. The Vendor Support office is the hub for Perth’s Big Issue vendors. The office provides a place where vendors can purchase magazines to sell, book council-approved places to work (vendor “pitches”), and receive advice and support around working and work-readiness. We also train new vendors and conduct day to day operations from this office, as well as preparing for and running the Women’s Subscription Enterprise packing shift (once a fortnight on a Tuesday).

The Big Issue views the engagement of volunteers as beneficial to both those who volunteer and also our Vendors. Volunteers gain valuable experience of working closely with marginalised people within a social enterprise. TBI Vendors also enjoy and benefit from having contact with a variety of people from all walks of life in the TBI Vendor Support office. Volunteers are a valued part of TBI.

Benefits

• Be involved with and learn from a diverse range of new people within and outside of The Big Issue community; • Provide the opportunity to contribute to the community and people lives in a constructive and beneficial way; • Be challenged and learn from new interactions.

Skills, Commitments and Personal Qualities:

• Independent and safety conscious. • Willing to spend time visiting vendors out of the office. • Self-motivated and open-minded. • Polite and respectful. • Communicative and honest. • Patience and empathetic. • Able to work in a small team. • Reliable and consistent. • Committed to the TBI Volunteer code of conduct and TBI’s values. • Basic computer skills.