Susan Alderman, Broadway Market and Liverpool Street Station, London

Photo: Louise Haywood-Schiefer

I’ve had experience in the past of homelessness on more than one occasion; on several occasions actually. So I know what it’s like to have to live on the street. It’s not very pleasant. But I do believe that where there’s a will, there’s a way. There is help out there. If you have been homeless, you can get yourself off the street if you’ve got the right sort of help around you to get your life back on track.  

No two people who have been homeless are on the street for the same reason. I mean, there could be all sorts of reasons. Money could be one reason, another reason could be domestic violence. If you haven’t got a proper job, for example, that can push some people over the edge where they get in debt. They might have an alcohol problem or drug problem. A lot of people have got mental health issues which need addressing – it can be anything. Everyone’s got a different reason. And it’s easy to get into that trap if you haven’t got the right support at the time.

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Big Issue is a godsend. Without this organisation a lot of people would be in a much worse position. It helps a lot of people when they’re in poverty and they need that little bit of extra cash to help them support themselves. I back it 100%. With the right sort of help, I believe that people can get their lives back on track, and Big Issue supports a hell of a lot of people. 

Big Issue helped me big time when I was homeless. I was in dire poverty, I was on the street with not a penny to my name. And when I was told about Big Issue, I jumped straight in. A friend explained to me that it’s financial help; if you’ve got no money then you can work for yourself and work your way out of poverty. I thought: ‘Well, this is my opportunity to get my life back on track and work for myself.’ Have a bit of independence and dignity and get by from day to day from what I’m earning. I’ve never looked back. I think it’s fantastic. It’s helped me big time to support myself, without a doubt. 

I am getting by at the moment all right. It could be a whole lot worse, I’ve been in worse situations. I’m pretty fortunate in that sense. I use the money I make from selling Big Issue for all my basic needs.  

I’m going to be honest, I’m not very good with technology. That’s one thing I have a little bit of shame about now. Big Issue are trying to get me on an IT course, which I do think I will need to do, because I’m not even doing simple things like emailing and most people are. I actually feel ashamed, but I have got a little bit behind with the whole technology thing, so I do need to brush up in that area. 

Everyone sees Christmas differently. I think it’s a time to reflect or just realise how important people are, because in today’s world, a lot of people have become very self-centred and selfish. I’m not saying everybody’s like that, there are also a lot of people out there who are very caring as well, so it’s a divided world.  

I wish my customers all the best and I’ll just say thank you for taking an interest in people like us that are on the poverty line. Thank you for being there. We need your support.

A lot of people in poverty say that they can work their way out of it if they put their mind to it, and Big Issue is a great start. The best start is with Big Issue if you’re in that position. 

Interview: Rhianon Steeds

Broadway Market, London, UK