giffgaff and Big Issue: A year of impact

Good things happen when we work together. By simply choosing giffgaff, our incredible community has spent the last year making a massive impact through our partnership with Big Issue. You’ve helped vulnerable people across the UK gain vital connections, secure an income, and climb the career ladder. Pretty amazing, right?

Getting vendors connected: The smartphone lifeline

What started as a small pilot project became something truly meaningful. We initially donated 250 refurbished smartphones, which grew into a huge total of 1,200 devices now in the hands of Big Issue vendors and job seekers who need them most.

The measurable difference

Going cashless made an immediate impact. Vendors using these phones saw an average 30% increase in magazine sales, which translates to about £520 extra income per person annually. In our increasingly cashless world, this digital access helps vendors stay visible, resilient, and financially secure.

It’s more than just payments, though. For many, this connected smartphone is a lifeline — it provides access to online banking, Universal Credit, job applications, health services, and support networks.

Powering up job prospects

Your support also fuelled Big Issue Recruit. By providing free phones and one-to-one coaching, people who were previously disconnected can now apply for jobs, speak to employers, attend interviews, and stay in touch with their mentors. For many, this is the essential digital bridge that gets them onto the career ladder.

A win for the planet, too

We also achieved a planet-positive impact. All the devices donated were refurbished, extending the life of perfectly good phones and helping us cut down on e-waste. Cheers to social impact and sustainability working together!

Why your choice matters

What makes this so special is that it’s powered by your everyday choice. Every time you pick a giffgaff plan, you’re helping someone take their first contactless payment, apply for a job, or navigate life online with confidence.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved with Big Issue—and even prouder of our members who made it possible. Because when you choose giffgaff, good things really do happen: for people, for communities, and for the planet.