The Big Issue - UK (2020-04-30)

news.

Ofthestreetsfortheirownprotection,

thisisthenewreality for Big Issue vendors

Forafewofourvendors,theidea

ofbeinghousedtemporarily

awaybythelocalcouncilwasan

uneasyone.

CraigO’Sheafearedthatthe

offer he receivedfromCornwall

Housingto be put up in a caravan

wouldput him in contactwith

othersand thereforerisk him

catchingthe virus.

He refusedthe offer and

iscontinuingto sleeproughin

atent, as he has beenfor the

lastfive months,to maintain

socialdistancing.

Craigtells The Big Issue:“I

decidedto stay out here because

of the coronavirus,I heardthe only

way you can catchit is if you are in

confinedspaceswith people,so if

I’m in the openair I’m less likelyto

catchit. I feel a lot safer staying out

here in my tent.

“I told the peoplewho offered

me a placeto stay that I don’twant

sheltersor hostels,I’d ratherhave

my own placewith a bit of support.”

The Big Issuecannotforce

Craigto acceptthe offer of

accommodation,but we can

helpto keep him safe while

sleepingoutdoors.

Our salesand operations

managerfor Devonand Cornwall,

SteveCarter,sourceda solar-

poweredphonechargerfor Craig,

whichwill meanhe will be able to

keep in contactin an emergency

and will not have to seek out places

to chargehis phone,puttinghim at

furtherrisk of contractingthe virus.

Craigadds:“The Big Issuehas

helpedme a lot but it is boringout

here,I miss havingconversations

with customers– and the

extra money.”

ROUGH SLEEPING

CRAIG O’SHEA, 35, TRURO

HOTEL

DONNYHILTON, 54

LONDON

LastweekhomelesscharityGroundswellrevealedthat

thespeedatwhichroughsleepersweremovedoffthe

streetsandindoorsmeantthat,initially,“therewasalack

ofbasicfood,limitedmedicalsupportandchallenges

accessingprescriptions”.

Thesituationhassinceimprovedbutoneofour

Londonvendors,DonnyHilton,tellsTheBigIssuethathe

“feelslucky”tobeaccommodatedduringthecrisis.

OutreachworkersfromcharityStMungo’soffered

himaroominaHolidayInnnotfarfromwherehehad

beensquatting,andhecanstayinthehotelforatleast

threemonths.

“Theycameandspoketousandshoweduspictures

oftheplace,”saysDonny.“It’salovelyroom.You’vegot

adoublebed,plasmatelevision,ashower.It’snicebut

youdofeelisolated,especiallywhenyou’reusedtobeing

outsideallthetime.”

Donnyisreceivingthreemealsadayfromfoodchain

Leon,hashissheetsandtowelschangedregularlyand

knowshewillbegivenfreetransporttokensifheneeds to

goanywhere.

Theveteranvendor,whohasbeensellingthe

magazineonandofffor 17 yearsandwasbasedon

OxfordStreet,isstillworriedforhishealthashehas

Type 2 diabetes.

“It’sbeenwellorganisedandtherearealotof

volunteersIcanseeworkingreallyhard,”hesays.

“IknowI’matgreaterriskofbeinghithardbythe virus

thansome,sothat’s what’s really scaring meat

the moment.”

Where

are they

now?

By Liam Geraghty

08 | BIGISSUE.COM 30 APRIL-06 MAY 2020