
Teenagers help produce latest Big Issue magazine
Youth charity OnSide nominated a number of 13 to 18-year-olds engaged with their youth centres to provide content for this week's special edition of the magazine.
Among interviewees chosen by the teenagers were X Factor winner James Arthur and influencer Simon Squibb.
Topics covered include educational support for people with cerebral palsy and other special educational needs, and mental health challenges faced by youngsters,
Hundreds of young Big Issue vendors have accessed support from the magazine for issues including health and wellbeing.
Big Issue editor Paul McNamee said: 'Big Issue begins with opportunity. We offer young people who are frequently marginalised and on society's edge an opportunity to lift themselves up, both through the Big Issue's own earning and learning opportunities, and by championing their voices and views through our journalism.
'For this very special edition, we wanted to learn of the unfiltered hopes, concerns and future plans of this special group of young people. They chose the content, conducted the interviews, guided Big Issue team on how they wanted the pages will look.'
Jamie Masraff, OnSide's chief executive, said: 'This special youth edition of the Big Issue highlights what people lucky enough to work with young people already know.
'Despite tired stereotypes, young people are not disengaged or lacking in ambition. They are brilliant, care about their communities and are deeply connected to the issues shaping society.
'We're proud to support this edition and even prouder of the young people who have made it happen. At a time when so many young people are facing unprecedented challenges, we need more opportunities for them to be seen, heard, and celebrated.'

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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
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X Factor's Lucy Spraggan breaks down in tears as she's forced to cancel run of shows
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) X FACTOR star Lucy Spraggan has been forced to cancel a handful of live shows after being struck down with illness. The ITV reality series alum, 33, looked understandably downcast as she took to her Instagram grid for a video to relay the sad news. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Lucy Spraggan has been forced to cancel a handful on live gigs due to illness Credit: Instagram 6 She found fame on The X Factor in 2012 Credit: PA:Press Association 6 Lucy, who was due to play a show in Liverpool tomorrow, has been stuck down with sickness Credit: Instagram Lucy donned a black top and matching baseball cap, scraping her hair into an up-do underneath. She looked pale as she addressed her fans with tears in her eyes and said: "This is absolutely the last message I wanted to be putting out. "I woke up yesterday not feeling well, and today woke up feeling even worse and we've had to make the decision to reschedule the outstore shows this week. "Because my throat feels like its got razor blades in it and my nose is completely blocked. "Not just that it doesn't feel right to be signing things and hugging you cause I don't want you to feel this way either." Sheffield-born Lucy then choked up at the prospect of "letting people down." She then vowed they would reschedule the shows and said: "I'm really sorry to anyone that was coming to London, Leeds, Liverpool and Glasgow - I really really hope I'll get to see you when I do these shows soon." In the video, she confirmed they would be rescheduled to August. Fans were quick to support the Bodies singer in her tough time, and one wrote: "Hope you feel better soon! Look after yourself." A second put: "We love you Lucy! You're not letting anyone down most important thing is you feel better! rest up and I'll see you soon." Lucy Spraggan sings love song about new wife Emilia Smith A third mused: "Oh Luce, so sorry to hear this. You are what's most important. Get well soon," as another posted: "Oh Lucy. You can see how much this is breaking your heart. Hope you feel better soon lovely." Lucy was due to play at the Jacaranda Baltic in Liverpool tomorrow to kick-start her run of shows. STRONG BOND Meanwhile, in happier news, Sober songstress Lucy recently exclusively opened up to The Sun about her friendship with Simon Cowell, who she hails as "like a dad." So close is their bond that Simon played a pivotal role at her wedding to wife Emilia Smith last year. 'He read a poem at our ceremony, which was cute,' Lucy says. 'And he said to me, 'I love seeing you this happy'.' Lucy and Simon's surprising friendship blossomed in 2021, under less than happy circumstances. She was writing her memoir Process: Finding My Way Through - which dealt with the traumatic sexual assault she experienced while competing on The X Factor in 2012. Lucy was one of the favourites to win her series before she mysteriously dropped out of the competition during the live finals. At the time it was reported the then 20-year-old had quit due to illness, and while she went on to have some success as an artist, the question over what had really thwarted her X Factor journey was never fully answered. Then, two years ago, she opened up for the first time that she'd been a victim of a shocking sexual assault - bravely waiving her right to anonymity in the process. She'd been out celebrating friend and fellow X Factor contestant Rylan Clark's birthday at swanky Mayfair nightclub Mahiki, and passed out after hours of boozing. Lucy was taken back to her hotel by a member of the X Factor production team and a hotel porter - but later that night, after Rylan had gone to check on her, the porter returned and used a key card to break into her room. The next day Lucy woke up feeling a 'sense of sheer dread'. She knew she'd been raped, but couldn't piece the rest of the night together. In the aftermath the police were called and the hotel porter was arrested. He was later jailed for 10 years, but was released and deported after three-and-a-half years. 6 She said her throat feels like 'its got razor blades in' Credit: Ruckas 6 She vowed to reschedule the gigs for later this summer Credit: Splash


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
X Factor's Lucy Spraggan breaks down in tears as she's forced to cancel run of shows
X FACTOR star Lucy Spraggan has been forced to cancel a handful of live shows after being struck down with illness. The ITV reality series alum, 33, looked understandably downcast as she took to her Instagram grid for a video to relay the sad news. 6 6 6 Lucy donned a black top and matching baseball cap, scraping her hair into an up-do underneath. She looked pale as she addressed her fans with tears in her eyes and said: "This is absolutely the last message I wanted to be putting out. "I woke up yesterday not feeling well, and today woke up feeling even worse and we've had to make the decision to reschedule the outstore shows this week. "Because my throat feels like its got razor blades in it and my nose is completely blocked. "Not just that it doesn't feel right to be signing things and hugging you cause I don't want you to feel this way either." Sheffield-born Lucy then choked up at the prospect of "letting people down." She then vowed they would reschedule the shows and said: "I'm really sorry to anyone that was coming to London, Leeds, Liverpool and Glasgow - I really really hope I'll get to see you when I do these shows soon." In the video, she confirmed they would be rescheduled to August. Fans were quick to support the Bodies singer in her tough time, and one wrote: "Hope you feel better soon! Look after yourself." A second put: "We love you Lucy! You're not letting anyone down most important thing is you feel better! rest up and I'll see you soon." Lucy Spraggan sings love song about new wife Emilia Smith A third mused: "Oh Luce, so sorry to hear this. You are what's most important. Get well soon," as another posted: "Oh Lucy. You can see how much this is breaking your heart. Hope you feel better soon lovely." Lucy was due to play at the Jacaranda Baltic in Liverpool tomorrow to kick-start her run of shows. STRONG BOND Meanwhile, in happier news, Sober songstress Lucy recently exclusively opened up to The Sun about her friendship with Simon Cowell, who she hails as "like a dad." So close is their bond that Simon played a pivotal role at her wedding to wife Emilia Smith last year. 'He read a poem at our ceremony, which was cute,' Lucy says. 'And he said to me, 'I love seeing you this happy'.' Lucy and Simon's surprising friendship blossomed in 2021, under less than happy circumstances. She was writing her memoir Process: Finding My Way Through - which dealt with the traumatic sexual assault she experienced while competing on The X Factor in 2012. Lucy was one of the favourites to win her series before she mysteriously dropped out of the competition during the live finals. At the time it was reported the then 20-year-old had quit due to illness, and while she went on to have some success as an artist, the question over what had really thwarted her X Factor journey was never fully answered. Then, two years ago, she opened up for the first time that she'd been a victim of a shocking sexual assault - bravely waiving her right to anonymity in the process. She'd been out celebrating friend and fellow X Factor contestant Rylan Clark 's birthday at swanky Mayfair nightclub Mahiki, and passed out after hours of boozing. Lucy was taken back to her hotel by a member of the X Factor production team and a hotel porter - but later that night, after Rylan had gone to check on her, the porter returned and used a key card to break into her room. The next day Lucy woke up feeling a 'sense of sheer dread'. She knew she'd been raped, but couldn't piece the rest of the night together. In the aftermath the police were called and the hotel porter was arrested. He was later jailed for 10 years, but was released and deported after three-and-a-half years. 6 6 6


Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Teenagers help produce latest Big Issue magazine
Youth charity OnSide nominated a number of 13 to 18-year-olds engaged with their youth centres to provide content for this week's special edition of the magazine. Among interviewees chosen by the teenagers were X Factor winner James Arthur and influencer Simon Squibb. Topics covered include educational support for people with cerebral palsy and other special educational needs, and mental health challenges faced by youngsters, Hundreds of young Big Issue vendors have accessed support from the magazine for issues including health and wellbeing. The new issue (Handout/PA) Big Issue editor Paul McNamee said: 'Big Issue begins with opportunity. We offer young people who are frequently marginalised and on society's edge an opportunity to lift themselves up, both through the Big Issue's own earning and learning opportunities, and by championing their voices and views through our journalism. 'For this very special edition, we wanted to learn of the unfiltered hopes, concerns and future plans of this special group of young people. They chose the content, conducted the interviews, guided Big Issue team on how they wanted the pages will look.' Jamie Masraff, OnSide's chief executive, said: 'This special youth edition of the Big Issue highlights what people lucky enough to work with young people already know. 'Despite tired stereotypes, young people are not disengaged or lacking in ambition. They are brilliant, care about their communities and are deeply connected to the issues shaping society. 'We're proud to support this edition and even prouder of the young people who have made it happen. At a time when so many young people are facing unprecedented challenges, we need more opportunities for them to be seen, heard, and celebrated.'