Bradley Duggan, Shell Garage, Eastville Park, Easton, Bristol

Image: Frankie Stone

I’ve been selling Big Issue for three months. I’m really loving it. I’ve got my proper pitch now. I used to beg here before, then someone from Big Issue came down and asked: “Do you want to sell the magazine? You’ll be working, you’ll make money, you’ll enjoy it.” I said, “I’ll give it a go,” and they gave me the job. I asked Asda [the shop near Bradley’s pitch], and they said “We’re happy for you to do it!” It’s better to be working, not begging. I’m earning money, so I wake up happy. I feel better for it. 

I’ve been street homeless on and off for five years. I’m from here, I grew up in Bristol – I’m a Bristol boy, my family are here. They’re very happy that I’m doing Big Issue, they’re proud of me. They come and buy the mag, and they’re definitely going to come and buy it when I’m in My Pitch! 

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

I lost everyone because of drugs and alcohol. But I have a daughter now, so I have to bring my life back together. I have to sort everything out so I can be there for her. She’s in social care at the moment, but the end goal is to have her. I have to sort myself out first, so I can make that happen. Step by step, we’ll get there. Life is going good now. 

I’m 27. This is my first proper job, really – they say [Big Issue] is “changing lives through enterprise”, don’t they? They really are! I don’t have many hobbies or anything, I just like selling the magazines. When I was homeless I’d just be on my spot. Now I have something to do. 

I left school ages ago. I got bullied through school, and I didn’t enjoy it. I’ve always had bad social skills, all my life. It was a bad anxiety thing. My confidence is growing, 100%. I can stop and chat to people now. I never used to do that, I’d just sit there. Talking to my customers, I love it. They like it too. They ask me how I am, then I ask them how they are – they’re surprised sometimes, they don’t expect to be asked back!  

I love my customers, and they love me. We have a good bond. They helped me when I was begging, and now they’re proud I’m trying to do something. I say, “Good afternoon, good morning, have a lovely day.” Even if they don’t want the magazine, I say, “Have a lovely day.” That’s important. 

The more entertaining the mag looks, the more people want it. I’ve had some really good weeks, and some bad weeks. But that’s like life, isn’t it? Not everyone has money every day. I want to go contactless eventually, I think the Big Issue team will help me with that, they’re lovely. I’m really grateful to them for coming down and getting me into it. So shout out to them. I’d also like to say thank you so much to the Shell garage Asda team for letting me sell outside. 

If I wasn’t selling Big Issue, I’d probably be begging, and maybe in prison. I went in before, for begging and that. It was very, very difficult when I was street homeless. But now I’ve got a place to stay. Big Issue help me with vouchers and stuff. Maybe one day I’d like to live somewhere else, see another city, get out there. I’ve never been overseas. I’d like to go one day. 

If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be to be happy. Try and choose something in life that makes you happy – no one can take that from you, as long as you are happy. 

Interview: Lottie Elton

Shell Station, Muller Road, Eastville, Bristol, UK