The Big Issue magazine will be sold by students at participating schools in May and June and aims to champion the Social Enterprise Schools program projects they have worked on over the past year.
From yesterday, children from 13 schools across Scotland will try to sell a special edition of The Big Issue magazine which has been created in partnership with the Social Enterprise Academy.
The magazine will be sold by students from participating schools in May and June and aims to champion the Social Enterprise Schools program projects they have worked on over the past year.
The Big Issue (TBI) and the Social Enterprise Academy (SEA) have teamed up for the fourth consecutive year to produce the special edition of The Big Issue, involving primary and secondary pupils from across Scotland.
The social enterprise-inspired special supplement will be released in all copies of The Big Issue from today (Monday, May 16), with additional copies being sold by young people at 13 schools who feature in the special edition .
The Social Enterprise Schools programme, pioneered in partnership with the Scottish Government in 2007, empowers every young person to challenge themselves, realize their potential and create the change they want to see in the world. Through this scheme, the Social Enterprise Academy will provide young people from all schools in Scotland with the opportunity to run their own social enterprise by 2024.
Social Enterprise Schools have so far reached over 1,100 Scottish schools with international replications underway in Australia, Egypt, England, Malaysia and South Africa.
The goal is for students to take an active role in their communities while making social change happen in creative, energetic and inspiring ways. Each student involved reflected on the future and what they can do to improve it for themselves and for everyone.
The Big Issue has worked with the Social Enterprise Academy for the past four years to create a “School Support Edition” of the magazine, which students sell at their schools to raise money to support their own school social enterprises, as well as community projects and charities in their wider communities.
Paul McNamee, UK editor of The Big Issue, said: “Every year we are stunned when we see all the hard work and creativity these young people put into their social enterprises.
“This year, it’s clear they’re not just thinking and discussing big issues – the environment, food, poverty, loneliness and mental health – but they’ve rolled up their sleeves and put their social enterprise plans, which are clearly making a real difference.
“We are delighted to be able to share their work with Big Issue readers and show how SEA is growing to offer this kind of support not only in the UK, but also internationally.”
Neil McLean, Managing Director of the Social Enterprise Academy, added, “Partnering with The Big Issue has become a big part of the calendar for everyone at the Social Enterprise Academy.
“The students featured in this year’s magazine are helping to create more sustainable and inclusive communities for all of us, and we want to make sure every young person has access to this kind of hands-on learning experience.
“I encourage everyone to pick up a copy and be inspired by the change that can happen when we empower our young people to believe that they can solve the social and environmental issues that keep them up at night. the night.”
One of the schools included in the special edition of The Big Issue is St Bernard’s Primary, a true social enterprise champion school that has participated in the program for the past six years.
Elaine MacEachen, Principal of St Bernard Primary School, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of this special edition of The Big Issue magazine to showcase our social enterprise projects within St Bernard Primary School. Social enterprise plays a major role in helping our students develop their passion for creating the change they wish to see within our local community and realize their potential in this world.
Russell Blackman, Chief Commercial Officer of The Big Issue, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with the Social Enterprise Academy again. The program run by SEA is a wonderful project that inspires young people to support those in the community and beyond and empowers them to take action on social issues that affect them.
The Big Issue, sold by vendors to lift themselves out of poverty, is available to buy across the UK for £3.
