Bianca, Rootes Grocery Store, University of Warwick, and Jubilee Crescent, Coventry
Bianca says the campus that she works on feels like home because of the friendships she has made there
Photo: Exposure Photo Agency
It’s pretty good at the moment. I like it here, I enjoy it, it’s a nice area and the people are amazing. They can tell when I’m unhappy, if I’m having a bad day just by looking at me and they always find ways to make me smile either by going to get me a coffee or coming to give me a hug. It feels like home.
I sell the magazine on a university campus and some people know what Big Issue means because some of their family members buy it all over England. But with some students you will have to explain how Big Issue works.
I think some people start buying the magazine at the beginning because they feel sorry for us being outside, but then they follow up and become my regular customers. I know it’s hard to believe, but some of my customers come down to the campus just to see me even if they don’t have lectures or exams.
Christmas was nice for me to have a day with my family. We (Bianca and her husband, fellow Big Issue vendor John) always make sure that we try to get everything that our kids need. And when I’m not well he is always there for me, he always has my back.
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It’s been a cold start to the year and I’ve been having lots of hot drinks on my pitch! I’m used to it. I’ll be honest, I don’t wrap up. I just wear my usual jacket, trainers and a scarf. When you’re a mother, the cold is nothing compared to that.
Big Issue helps me in so many different ways. Being a Big Issue vendor makes a difference because a lot of different students come up to me and want to know how it has worked for me, and it makes them closer to me. Selling the magazine also gives me the time to spend with my kids and be there when they need me, if they are not well or off school then I can be around.
Both my husband and I think it’s important to represent Big Issue. It is a job. I’m selling outside, I’m doing whatever it takes to earn my money the right way. Big Issue to us means a lot. It gives us the time to spend with our family.
A lot of people may say it is not a normal job but, believe me, it is hard work because you have to earn the trust of people. It’s not like we just look at people who are buying Big Issue and that’s it either. We also like to help people when they struggle.
My husband always makes sure that he crosses people over the street or if you see someone trying to chase the bus down, you always go like, “I’m going to catch it for you.” We love the way that Big Issue has been created. We love that it helps everybody.
Honestly, for me, as a child it wasn’t the best part of my life. It was hard to trust people any more after the way that I’ve been treated. But people are not all the same and life has a second chance if you give it one. Always treat people how you want to be treated.
This year I’m hoping that God gives me more help because my health has been a bit of a mess. I want to be there for my kids because I don’t want them to grow up the way I grew up when I was little.
Last year was great – I was in the magazine when I met Tom Grennan – I just hope this is the same again but just a bit healthier. I really want to say thank you to all my customers. I call them friends. Big Issue is an amazing thing.
Words: Liam Geraghty
Rootes Grocery Store, University Road, Coventry, UK