Top-tier law firm Freehills has welcomed vendors from The Big Issue into its offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The Big Issue is a punchy current affairs magazine which doubles as a leading social enterprise, providing a creative outlet plus work opportunities for people who are homeless. Half of the proceeds of each magazine sold go to the vendor.
‘We are delighted to be involved with The Big Issue because every magazine we buy means we are a step closer to reducing homelessness in Australia,’ said Gavin Bell, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner.
Every fortnight a vendor comes into Freehills’ offices to sell the magazine—Emma in Melbourne, Eve in Perth and Kerrie in Sydney. ‘About 50 per cent of all homeless people in Australia are women,’ said Annette Bain, Executive Director, Freehills Foundation. ‘Women vendors can feel incredibly vulnerable selling on the streets. Here at Freehills, we can provide a vendor with a safe, selling environment out of the winter cold.’
‘Having a job is really important for most of us—financially of course, but equally importantly for building social networks and feeling self-confident. Selling The Big Issue brings people together,’ continued Ms Bain.
Freehills has been a Principal Supporter of The Big Issue for some years, so inviting a vendor into the office seemed a logical next step. Access to justice for people who are homeless has been a pillar of pro bono work at Freehills since The Shopfront Youth Legal Service was established in Kings Cross 16 years ago. Today, homelessness is a priority area of Freehills Foundation’s pro bono and community practice.
The statistics aren’t great for homelessness in Australia. Around 105,000 people are homeless on any given night1 and 7500 of those are families with children.2
‘Vendors are keen to build their sales, meet new clients and grow the business—goals that are not unlike those of this law firm,’ concluded Ms Bain.
Endnotes
1. Australian Government’s White Paper on Homelessness: The Road Home
2. Statistics on homelessness from the Australian National Council on Drugs
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