The Big Issue - UK (2020-11-30)

54 | BIGISSUE.COM FROM 30 NOVEMBER 2020

T

his lockdown has been a double blow

because I had to self-isolate prior to it.

So I’d already taken the mandatory 10

days, which I found very, very di�fi cult. If like me

you have mental health issues – depression and

anxiety – being cooped up indoors with nobody

about isn’t very good. And I’d been fi nding it

quiet on my pitch leading up to lockdown, since

we came back in July I noticed that I’ve lost quite

a few of my regular customers. A lot of people

only carry cards now, but The Big Issue is sorting

me out with a card reader for when we return,

hopefully. I’m going to be back out there as soon

as I’m allowed to be.

It’s been devastating for me personally as

well because my second grandson, McKenzie,

has just been born and my fi rst grandson, Dylan,

turns one at the end of the month. They’re in

Birmingham and ordinarily I’d be heading up

there to be with them. We had it all planned out

and then we heard the news about the lockdown.

The Thanet area’s got the highest contagion rate

at the moment so my daughter said it’s not worth

taking the risk.

I’m not really anxious about catching the virus,

I do as much as I can to stay safe. I come out during

the day just to get some fresh air and get out

of the house because I feel very claustrophobic

and anxious. So I go out for a walk, grab a cup of

tea, bump into a couple of people and do a bit

of shopping. I can walk virtually all the way from

mine to either of my pitches right along the sea

front. Being by the sea gives me a li�t and it gives

me a reason to go out every day. I used to have

a couple of dogs and they would have done me

excellent during the lockdown. I had to give them

up because I went to prison for breaching my

probation order, which only happened because

The English lockdown has hurt

Richard personally as well as

fi nancially – his second grandson

has just been born and he’s

desperate to see his family

MY PITCH

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my probation o�fi cer didn’t understand my health issues. But I really feel it, not having the dogs any

more. I’m looking for another one now, preferably a very young rescue dog that needs a new home.

I’ve had a lot of support this year. Without my family, friends, my two churches and my customers it

would have been almost too much for me to mentally survive. To say a massive thank you doesn’t go far

enough really. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today, nor would I have been able to turn my life

around. The biggest thank you is to my sister and her family, who have always been really supportive

of me. And a big shout out to John, the owner of the best micro pub in the country, the Bake and Ale

House in Westgate. Quite a few people are putting some money aside for me until I’m back out working

to make sure I’m alright. Until then I’m just working on my garden and my house, but I could use a bit of

help with that. All the support I’ve had makes me realise that I should be very proud of everything I’m

doing and everything I’ve done up until now. It’s nice to know that people are always looking out for you.

Now I’m just hoping that I get to see my grandsons for Christmas. I’m more proud of my daughter

Michaela than I could ever say. I’m really proud of her partner Chris as well, they make a really good

couple. Lockdown aside, I don’t think I could be any happier at the moment. I’m over the moon to be a

grandfather again, lost for words. I never thought this would happen so it’s more than amazing.

Interview: Sarah Reid

Photos: Sheradon Dublin

USUAL PITCHES:

Birchington/Westgate-on-Sea, Kent

RICHARD

BROADWAY, 54

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