Job Description

Job Advert


Big Issue Changing Lives CIC is looking for an Support and Outreach Assistant to support the direct the direct delivery of services to individuals participating in Big Issue enterprises, including selling the Big Issue magazine. The core of the role is facilitating access for members of our Roma Communities to the Hand Up Service and other local services, resources and networks required to address the barriers they are facing to moving forwards out of poverty. Where local services and resources are not available you will also support the Outreach Team with the delivery of information, guidance and some direct interventions, such as training sessions, directly.



This is self-starter role in which you'll be responsible for connecting with potential service users within the Roma community, introducing the service to them, sharing information from our Hand Up plus services and supporting them to engage with the core Hand Up service. You'll be working within a small team of Outreach workers and will work to maintain a set of Service Standards which help maintain the quality of the service nationally.



The role is highly flexible and no two days are the same. You'll bring your own experience and knowledge to the role, as well as your ability to speak Romanian. We will support you to build on that through an ongoing training and development programme which aims to ensure all Hand Up Service Team members have up to date, relevant, knowledge in key areas including housing, benefits, debt, immigration and more. In the course of a day, you'll usually be working with service users across multiple of these issues and supporting engagement with a wide range of external agencies such as health services, local authorities, charities and more, to get access to services for those you are supporting.

Your main roles and responsibilities will be:

Undertake phone and in person outreach to introduce the Hand Up service to Roma Big Issues vendors Delivery of direct intervention to Roma vendors using guidance and resources provided Join meetings with Roma Vendors and Outreach Workers to support with action planning and provision of support and guidance Support with translation and interpretation within your local team to enable accessibility of the service for Roma vendors Support the local Hand Up Service to build current knowledge of local and national agencies that can support Roma vendors Support the organisation and delivery with Roma Vendors of 1-2-1 and group training sessions and drop-ins Ensure that your work meets service standards and targets and complete surveys with vendors as required Involving Roma service users in the service design and delivery as local and national opportunities arise Adhere to all required policies and procedures including with regards to safeguarding, lone and safe working, case work management and expenses and finances Undertake any other duties as required by your manager (within reasonable expectations)

You need to be:

Passionate about and committed to supporting those living in poverty Confident communicator face to face and on the phone in both Romanian and English, with ability to convey information clearly Able to build rapport with diverse individuals from the Roma community Knowledge and understanding of the challenges and inequalities that individuals from the Roma community may face in the UK Excellent time management and very organised, with the ability to complete tasks by agreed deadlines Good data entry skills Able to represent the organisation to other professionals and partner agencies Able to work with individuals in both one to one and group formats Able to follow guidelines and work within policies, seeking support from line manager as needed Willing to work in flexible locations including our community office, as well as visiting vendors at pitches and attending community meetings. This role is not suitable for home- based working.


Please use your cover letter to demonstrate how you meet each of the following requirements. We recommend addressing each requirement specifically within your application. Voluntary experience and lived experience are welcome as evidence of your relevant experience, knowledge and skills, as well as any work experience.



The role is offered as full time and fixed term until the 31st March 2026.

Salary and Benefits offered

Salary of 25,207 per annum. Incremental holiday entitlement starting at 25 days per year plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff) plus paid leave to care for a sick child or grandchild and a sick or elderly relation Company Sick Pay Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension Enhanced maternity pay Training and development opportunities including an open learning library and management training schemes Health benefits include life cover, a health cash plan scheme which provides access to counselling and a range of therapies Please note that we reserve the right to review and amend our staff benefits and they do not form part of any contract of employment Blue Light Card benefit scheme

Workplace details

This role is based at either our Big Issue office in Finsbury Park, London, but you will be mostly be working out and about within the community.

Closing date - 08 June 2025 (23:59pm). Please note that we may interview before the role is closed so please apply asap.

Big Issue Group is striving towards Equal Opportunities. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our sector, such as women in senior roles, and people with disabilities and from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.



Since 1991, The Big Issue has fought poverty by creating opportunities and supporting people to take control of their lives. Over time our organisation has grown and now The Big Issue Group consists of The Big Issue Company Ltd and Big Issue Invest Ltd (our social investment arm). In addition, we also have our sister charity The Big Issue Foundation.



For enquiries, please contact our recruitment team at

talent@bigissue.com