Big Issue Invest supported 138 charities and social enterprises with £37.5m worth of social investment last year, according to latest figures from the social investor as it focuses on continuing to tackle poverty over the next five years.

According to its 2021/22 Impact Report the social investment arm of the Big Issue backed good causes supporting more than two million people across the UK during the year.

More than nine in ten investments focused on tackling poverty and a quarter is focused on tackling equality. Six in ten investees are based in areas of high deprivation, Big Issue Invest added.

Organisations supported have an average turnover of £5.59m and employ an average of 72 staff.

As part of its five-year plan Big Issue Invest has pledged to fund “creative solutions” to tackle poverty.

This strategy also includes a focus on supporting “marginalised individuals, communities and organisations over the next five years”.

It aims to support projects helping 11 million people.

“We have been focusing on developing our new lending programmes and our new Funds,” said Big Issue Invest chief executive Danyal Sattar.

“It has been year of challenges and that continues into 2022 and beyond. We are up for it, and we have to be. The charities and social enterprises we support are delivering the services that society needs right now.”

He added: “Our aim is to innovate and collaborate to pre-empt as well as respond to social challenges.

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