Closing off 2024

As the year draws to a close, we're excited to share the final Big Issue Invest monthly update of 2024 – we cover our latest Impact Report, AGM highlights, an inspirational new investee and how you can provide vital support to Big Issue vendors at this crucial time of year.?

?? Impact Report 2023/24: Reaching 1.8 million people?

This year, we’ve reached 1.8 million people experiencing poverty or social challenges through ￡2.7 million invested in social-purpose businesses. Highlights include:

• Raising ￡30 million across our portfolio, with over half from first-time social investors.
• Supporting diverse-led enterprises, including 13 new investees.

Discover how our 145-strong portfolio is transforming lives in the UK’s most deprived areas in the Big Issue Invest Impact Report 2023/24.

??Read the report here.

??Annual General Meeting highlights

Last month, we held our AGM at City Hall, reflecting on a year of impact and social investment. Key moments included:

• Updates on Fund IV, GIF, and lending at BII.
• A panel discussion with inspiring investees from Patchwork Health, Chocolate Films, and London CLT.
• A sneak peek at our 2023/24 Impact Report.

Big Issue Invest CEO, Danyal Sattar OBE said: "At a time when 22% of the UK population is in poverty, the need for social investment has never been clearer or more relevant."

?? Supporting The Black Farmer

We’re proud to announce a ￡250,000 investment in The Black Farmer, founded by Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, through our Growth Impact Fund. The shop serves its local community by selling goods created by under-supported founders.

With just 1% of UK farmers from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, this initiative supports:

• Business and marketing advice
• Brand development
• Workshops to help underserved individuals break into retail

The Black Farmer is a champion of diversity in business.

??Read more

?? Big Issue Vendors need your support this Christmas

With the cold weather upon us, now is the time to support Big Issue vendors as they work hard to earn a vital income to afford the basic essentials this Christmas.

Please buy a copy from your local vendor every week. If you can’t reach a vendor, purchase a Big Issue Vendor Support Kit online.

??Buy a kit here.

Every kit purchased helps a vendor stay warm, dry, fed, earning and progressing.

Thank you for reading, your Big Issue Invest monthly newsletter will return in January. We wish you a joyful festive season!

Big Issue Invest Team

Ps. You can learn more about our active funds and programmes here