Through a donation to Health Week, an annual event organised by the charity that publishes The Big Issue, South West Trains has been doing its bit to help London’s homeless sellers
We all know the familiar cry: "The Big Issue, ladies and gents. Will anyone buy a copy of The Big Issue?" Come rain or shine, the vendors are out on our streets selling their copies of the weekly news and current affairs magazine.
This selling job is often a lifesaver for the 400 homeless sellers in London, providing them with a legitimate means to earn a living and find a way out of hardship and poverty. But with most of them either sleeping rough or in inadequate housing, they face daily challenges, particularly during the cold, winter months.
"Our lifestyle is not conducive to good health," admits vendor Joseph. "Most of the food we eat is stodge, so we overeat to get the daily goodness we need. Fruit is not in great supply and endless cups of sugary tea keep us going in our selling jobs."
That’s why every year The Big Issue Foundation organises a Health Week in London to teach vendors the importance of looking after themselves. "During the week, we have healthy breakfasts," explains Joseph. "The dentist comes too." Seeing a dentist is particularly important to Joseph, who had his teeth knocked out in a road accident. He also has a double hernia.
Joseph is typical of The Big Issue sellers, who suffer many and varied health problems, from a poor diet and common ailments, to mental problems, and substance and alcohol abuse. Unlike most of us, they find it difficult to get regular check-ups, either because they are not registered with a local GP, or they feel ashamed to visit a doctor because of their poor hygiene. During Health Week, volunteer specialists provide essential checks, such as blood pressure, diabetes and eye tests, as well as offering alternative therapies, including shiatsu and reiki. There are also workshops on the safer use of drugs—for example, how to clean wounds and the importance of clean needles—and, with tuberculosis on the rise, vendors are kept up to date on how to prevent this respiratory disease.
"Chest infections are common," says Joseph. "We’re on the street sometimes six days a week, from morning to night."
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