Inspired by pics by @peggysirk and @barbsmith I went in search of our Big Issue sellers. For non-Brits this is a very successful scheme set up to help the homeless and vulnerably housed earn a legitimate income. They are given 5 free copies of the Big Issue magazine (worth £10) to sell and can then use the money to buy more for £1 per copy, selling on for £2. They are not reimbursed for any they don't sell and there are strict rules about alcohol/drugs etc so it's no easy option. You can read about the vendors 'Hopes and Dreams' campaign on www.bigissue.com under 'vendors'. This chap happily posed for a couple of photos but Monty-assisted they were out of focus! The man in the nice coat waited patiently while I messed around and is nicely demonstrating the point of the scheme - money transfer from those who have to those who have not!
This is such a great photo and so theme perfect, Judith. I went to The Big Issue website and read more about their program. Such a worthy cause that seems to be helping so many all around the world. I saw in their recent issue an article by John Bird concerning library closures...an issue we have locally with the struggling economy. Also, saw a very sad tribute to a Big Issue vendor who recently died at the rather young age of 42, which shockingly is the life expectancy of the homeless. So much awareness created here ~ this is a very cool photo!! Well done! :)
@peggysirk Thanks Peggy - it's good to get the stories behind the jackets. A couple of years ago I noticed one of the well-known vendors looking really ill. He told me he had a brain tumour but preferred to be on the streets talking to people than stay at home. A few weeks later when there was a new man on the patch I asked after his predecessor. Proudly he said, 'The church was full.' Happily, this chap was enjoying having his photo taken - I'll have to get him to pose again when I haven't got animal hindrance!
@sarahbolt@ottery09@flamez Thanks - he's very naughty-spaniel friendly (having grown up with springers) which is very useful!! Quite often we stop for some dog-fussing even when we're not buying!
Wonderful pic, and how nice of them both to pose! Its a good scheme..
Was approached by an elderly homeless man today, such a sweetie. He said he was really hungry, so I went and got him a bag of grub. I wish so much that nobody was ever homeless, no reason in this day and age really.
Love that pic Judith, in Nashville they have "The Contributor" they buy it at 25cent each and sell for a $1, it is a great read, when it was so cold here they were still selling, blizzards and all, it has helped so many off the streets here!!!! i always makes me aware though that there is such a fine line between having a home and being homeless, I have been doing some volunteer work here and it is whole families that are homeless now not just individuals!!!!
What a great photo. It tells a lovely story. I used to buy my lunch at Peppercorns round the corner from there when I was at university. I found Cambridge a tough place to take photos - not sure why.
@cgould Ooh yes - Brie and tomato baguette with lots of black pepper! I think it's hard to avoid the cliche shots in Cambridge (and the sky is GRAY at the moment - when the sun comes out I may just take those cliches!!). Also we're surrounded by so much amazing architecture it's hard to see the wood for the trees at times.
February 5th, 2011
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Was approached by an elderly homeless man today, such a sweetie. He said he was really hungry, so I went and got him a bag of grub. I wish so much that nobody was ever homeless, no reason in this day and age really.