BIG Issue vendors and volunteers celebrated the revamp of their Poole Hill office with an open day on Saturday afternoon.

The office, where homeless and financially vulnerable people from across Dorset to buy their copies of the magazine, was repainted by local artist Martin Butler.

Volunteers helped with the painting and sprucing up the interior, and celebrated with food provided by the local Starbucks.

Big Issue seller James Strickland helped out with the re-vamp.

“It definitely needed doing and it is much nicer in there now,” he said.

“They needed volunteers so I got involved, after all it is for my benefit as well. Long may it last.

“The support we get from the Big Issue is quite phenomenal, we get access to services which wouldn't otherwise be available.”

Dorset Big Issue team leader Kirsten Thomson said there are many misconceptions about the magazine and its vendors, who have to buy the magazines themselves before they can sell them on.

“It is not charity, the idea is to help people to help themselves and gain self-confidence and useful skills,” she said.

“Only some of our vendors are homeless – if we can help people to avoid becoming homeless in the first place, that is better.

“The Big Issue Foundation helps them get on training courses, and provides advice and support for things like getting passports, or treatment for addiction.

“They are very hard working and have to be good at sales, talking to people and managing their own finances.”