Bournemouth University (BU) students have held an event to highlight the importance of the work of The Big Issue.
BU students have organised an event to draw attention to the problem of homelessness.
The event on Talbot Campus saw a raffle held, where entrants could win a variety of gifts and vouchers, as well as stories told by current and former The Big Issue vendors. Live music was performed by singer-songwriter Max Broggio, a student at ACM music academy in Guildford, as a team of six second-year BA Management students were assessed as part of their practical Events Management module.
Event Organiser, Sian Courtney, who hopes to become a volunteer for the not-for-profit social enterprise, said: “The event sprang from an A-level project I undertook on homelessness. Two years ago, I bought a copy of the magazine from a vendor and sat and spoke to him, at which point I realised just how important The Big Issue was. Over two meetings, our team got to know The Big Issue team at the Bournemouth office, who issued their vendors with an invite to attend our event.
“We’d like to thank all of the vendors, and in particular, Bill, who has helped us in putting the event together, and hope that this will provide a long-standing legacy to make others aware of homelessness and The Big Issue.”
The Big Issue vendor, Bill Webb added: “It’s been really good to work with the team, whose event has helped us to raise our profile. We’d like people to realise that in being Big Issue vendors, we are not begging, we are selling a magazine. It’s great for students to understand how the system works.”
The event was part of a week long programme of events on the theme of ‘societal wellness’ being held across the university by BA Events Management students. These included the creation of a ‘stress-free zone’, where students could take part in workshops, and Circuit Yoga, which provided attendees with useful stress management techniques that could be adopted in everyday life.
Dr. Michael O’ Regan, Senior Lecturer in Events & Leisure Management, said: “These events emphasise the ways in which wellness can affect us all in different ways. From yoga and relaxation events, to treasure hunts and budgeting, students have developed a range of different concepts around the themes of societal, physical, financial and emotional wellness’.
“We’ve been impressed with the work of our groups this year in creating some fresh and original concepts on which to base their events.”