Sam Oates, Co-op, Bideford

Images: Exposure Photo Agency

I was homeless when I started selling Big Issue three years ago. I come from Bideford, I’ve lived here my whole life and I got into quite a bit of trouble growing up – I got into parties and drugs and drink. I was homeless for six years in total and one of the guys that I used to talk to in town was a Big Issue seller called Kevin. He was in a tent and I was outside as well so we used to check in on each other as I was going past him. He said he was leaving and I asked him: “What are you doing about the job?” He said I could have it if I want. He phoned Big Issue and sorted it all out for me. Because I was homeless it was exactly what I needed. 

I’ve got a caravan now. A couple of people got it for me a year ago. Before that the church got me one but that fell apart after being in it for a while. It’s only a caravan at the side of the road, it’s not exactly luxury but it’s still a roof over my head. It’s a lot better than it was. I’ve got a wood burner in it and I’ve got a dog – a staffie/collie cross called Demi – and it’s important the dog has somewhere to live. She’s a local legend. 

The community has been amazing. I’ll never forget the people who did that. For someone to literally give me a home, it’s the best thing you can get. I’m lucky really. 

Big Issue helped me get a Portaloo for the caravan – they’ve done loads of things for me. About three months ago I was in hospital for a week. I got ill from my lifestyle of being an alcoholic. I really couldn’t walk. I’ve been sober now for three months. I’d been cutting down since March because I was getting iller and iller. I’ve had doctors say they’ve never seen anything so bad because I was in such bad shape. It’s not even a hard decision not to drink because I nearly died. I know it’s only three months but I know it’s going to last.

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Big Issue was really helpful during that time because I couldn’t do anything. They just looked after my best interests. I was worried about my job because I was so ill. They’ve been doing whatever they can to make life as easy as possible while I’m getting better. I’m in a good place now. 

I love Big Issue for allowing me to see everyone. This is my community, I grew up with these people. So it’s a pleasure being able to sell the magazine – I like talking to everyone. There are so many people you can learn so much off. You’ve got people of all different lines of work here, all different lifestyles. People help you and you help people back if you can. To have something positive for me to achieve each day is huge. 

I’ve been back selling since I got out of hospital – a local shopkeeper has even given me a lift back to my caravan because I couldn’t really walk. I’ve been going to the gym and got my strength back now, I know the important things are going to work: being healthy and looking after my dog with a roof over my head. 

This year I’d like to find some land to put my caravan on. I’m trying to look after my money to do that. I’d like to keep doing what I’m doing, get a motorbike, really settle down. When you’ve been on the streets, you realise there’s so much stuff that you don’t really need in life and the stuff I’ve got in my life are the things that you need. My job and being with the community every day. 

Interview: Liam Geraghty

Co-op Food - Bideford - Mill Street, Mill Street, Bideford, UK