300th episode - Fay Selvan, Big Life group - supporting Big Issue North vendors and advice for social entrepreneurs

Fay Selvan is Chief Executive of the Big Life group, which employs around 500 people and turns over £20m, and joins me in this, the 300th episode of the Business Live radio show.

The Big Life Group is in the business of changing lives, creating opportunities for people who have the least. It runs schools, nurseries, children's centres and family support services.

Big Issue North and The Big Issue North Trust are also part of The Big Life Group. The Trust, a registered charity, raises funds to provide a range of support for Big Issue North vendors, including support accessing services, help getting ID, home furnishing packages and projects such as breakfast clubs.

Big Issue North is a ‘business solution to a social problem’ – a limited company employing staff to produce and distribute the weekly magazine (Big Issue North) sold by people who have limited other ways of earning an income in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Fay describes:

• The group's services and how it has adapted in current times to ensure it can still provide support to people
• What happened when Big Issue North vendors had to stop selling the magazine because of the lockdown
• Getting vendors who want to sell the magazine back up and running in June
• Advice for other social entrepreneurs

We also cover Sheffield's Archer Project and The Suit Works.