Bridgette Sibley, Waitrose, Southsea, Portsmouth: ‘I was extremely rich once. Then I was destitute’

I’ve been selling Big Issue for 26 years. My story will blow your socks off. I was an extremely rich person. I worked in London on Oxford Street. I had my own secretary, and a staff of about 50 people. I had a beautiful house in a rural area in the cheeky end of Marlow, Marlow Bottom [Buckinghamshire]. I had a triple garage, a vineyard. The drive could accommodate eight cars. I used to make my own wine. 

I sold the house. It had trebled in price. I bought a hotel in Selsey [West Sussex]. I upgraded it in style, en suites in all rooms. We put a bar in the hotel. I was the richest and best-dressed woman in Selsey.  

But my husband, who had been a professional and intelligent man, became an alcoholic. That’s what broke everything up. 

I’ve had loads of jobs. I was a taxi driver for eight years. A security officer. I’ve worked since I was 12 and I love it. I cannot sit around. 

I was destitute. My husband stole all the money. I didn’t know where to live. I was literally on the streets. I was sleeping behind churches. Rats would be running around. I had nowhere to go. Sometimes I would fall asleep and people would throw cans at me or spit on me. 

I was so low. I found a derelict car and that became my home. But the police took that away so I was back on the streets. 

I can’t remember whether I found Big Issue or they found me. I remember being extremely nervous. I had to build up my confidence. But it’s a home from home now. 

Every magazine I sell, I’m proud, because they help me tremendously. I wouldn’t be here today. I would have died. The Big Issue team has been fantastic. I feel so lucky. I sell it seven days a week, and I love it. 

The community has been amazing. It’s my extended family. I’ve always been in Portsmouth selling Big Issue. This is my home. My customers know me inside and out and from head to toe. 

Some of my customers have lost their husbands or wives. We share each other’s problems. They get them off their chest, and they feel a lot better. I’ve had my own family issues. I love my children. If they’re not OK, I’m not OK. That’s what being a mother is like. But selling Big Issue is excellent therapy. 

It is like running your own business. I conduct Big Issue as a business like any others I’ve had before. I keep the magazines for some of my customers, they go in plastic folders with their name on them. 

I love wearing the tabard. I can stand here and smile because Big Issue helped me sell with confidence. 

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Change a vendor’s life.

Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – and always take the magazine. It’s how vendors earn with dignity and move forward.

You can also support online:
Subscribe to the magazine or support our work with a monthly gift. Your support helps vendors earn, learn and thrive while strengthening our frontline services.

Thank you for standing with Big Issue vendors.

Waitrose, Marmion Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, Southsea, UK