Young people from youth charity OnSide takeover the Big Issue, on sale today, for a special youth-led edition

Youth charity OnSide and the Big Issue have partnered to publish a special, youth-led edition of the Big Issue, out today (Monday 23 June).

Young people haven’t just contributed to this week’s Big Issue magazine – they’ve taken it over completely. Young people from OnSide’s Youth Zones have chosen their most pressing topics, who to interview and how to tell their stories, covering important issues like mental health, identity, immigration, disability and prejudice.

The group, who range from 13 to 18, interviewed celebrities like musician James Arthur, influencer Simon Squibb, and Department of Education Minister Catherine McKinnell to create an honest, powerful and personal edition of Big Issue, offering unique insight into what young people are thinking, feeling and facing.

Each of the nine contributors is a member of an OnSide Youth Zone located in areas including London, Chorley, Grimsby, Barnsley, Bolton, Blackburn and the Wirral. They’ve written articles including:

– 15-year-old Riley’s conversation with DfE Minister Catherine McKinnell about SEND provision in schools

– 16-year-old JoJo’s heartfelt article about how youth work changed her life for the better

– 18-year-old Chloe’s interview with award-winning musician James Arthur on how his music helped her navigate mental health challenges

– 18-year-old Alice’s response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on trans rights

– 14-year-old Raees’s conversation with financial influencer Simon Squibb how he can become a millionaire

They are also each part of OnSide’s Youth Advisory Board, a group of young people from Youth Zones who volunteer their time to advise the charity and its board on the views of young people. They are passionate about empowering other young people and ensuring that young people can impact the decisions and services designed for them.

OnSide believes that supporting, listening to and giving young people real opportunities to lead reflects the ethos of great youth work: believing in young people’s potential and helping them unlock it.

Commenting, Jamie Masraff, OnSide’s Chief Executive, said: “This special youth edition of the Big Issue highlights what people lucky enough to work with young people already know. Despite tired stereotypes, young people are not disengaged or lacking in ambition. They are brilliant, care about their communities and are deeply connected to the issues shaping society. We’re proud to support this edition and even prouder of the young people who have made it happen. At a time when so many young people are facing unprecedented challenges, we need more opportunities for them to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”

Editor of the Big Issue, Paul McNamee said: “Big Issue begins with opportunity. We offer young people who are frequently marginalised and on society’s edge an opportunity to lift themselves up, both through the Big Issue’s own earning and learning opportunities, and by championing their voices and views through our journalism.

“For this very special edition, we wanted to learn of the unfiltered hopes, concerns and future plans of this special group of young people. They chose the content, conducted the interviews, guided Big Issue team on how they wanted the pages will look.

“You’ll find issues around education, health, identity, music, immigration, fashion… and lawn bowling. It’s eye-opening and will shift perspectives.”

Chloe Jones, 18, one of the young contributors and a member of OnSide’s Youth Advisory Board, said: “My experience working with Big Issue was very positive. The staff there have been incredibly helpful and educational, as it was a new experience for all of us.

“They have allowed us the freedom to work on our articles independently and the way we want them to be, whilst still providing us with guidance, support and direction. They have taught me lots and gave me amazing opportunities, which I’m very thankful for.”

OnSide is the charity behind Youth Zones, state of the art youth centres situated in some of the UK’s most economically disadvantaged areas. Youth Zones provide young people with affordable access to safe spaces, packed with high quality sports, arts and recreational facilities as well as guidance and support from trained and dedicated youth workers with a passion for supporting young people.

There are 15 Youth Zones in the growing OnSide Network, supporting over 55,000 young people each year. The charity is developing a further 7 centres that will see it support 100,000 young people a year by the end of 2026.

This week’s special edition of Big Issue is now on sale. Find your local vendor to buy a copy, or subscribe online, at www.bigissue.com.