Fergal Lewis Barker, Tesco, Clytha Park Road, Newport

Image: Wayne Ellaway

I was homeless and down in the dumps before I started selling Big Issue. I was begging a lot and really wanted to stop, so I jumped on Big Issue. And I really enjoy doing it. Sometimes it’s a bit cold and wet, especially at the moment, but I get through it and do what I’ve got to do. 

I’m in a good area – everybody’s nice. I don’t get any abuse shouted at me. It’s a good pitch and everybody knows me around here now. They all say hello – the longer I’ve been here, the more people stop to talk to me, because they see that I’m here working all the time. There’s a lot of good people around – a couple of people even offered me an umbrella. So I’ve got a really good umbrella now, which has really helped me this winter.  

And Big Issue helped me get a new pair of boots and a mobile phone – I also got a Greggs voucher.I usually get a sausage, egg and bacon baguette.  

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I am making what I need.So I make enough for my food, I can buy my mags every Monday and I feel like I’m doing well. I had a badge in Swansea before this, but it didn’t work out, so I stopped. I’m so glad I tried again after I came to Newport. I really want to say thank you to everyone round here for their support. It helps me a hell of a lot. I’m going to keep putting in the hours and doing my best. 

I was caring for my uncle before but then he had to go into a care home.My name was not on the rent card of the property I was living at, so I ended up on the streets. At the time, the council said I was not a priority for housing. Over time, my health got worse and the doctor said, “he can’t live on the streets”, so they finally got me a place in a hostel.  

I’m officially unfit for work now. I can’t get a proper paid job because of my leg. I had sepsis and a blood clot and now I have a lot of ulcers on my leg. So I have to sit down when I’m selling Big Issue magazine.  

I’m still in the homeless hostel at the moment. I’ve come from the streets and into a hostel – it’s a supported place because I find it hard to look after myself properly because of my conditions. So I have somewhere warm to stay every night now.  

But I’ve been here for over a year. In the future, I’d really like to get my own place. If I carry on with Big Issue, keep my head up and keep fighting, I really hope I can eventually settle down in my own place. 

I don’t really know what I like doing any more.I kind of lost myself a bit over the years. So I don’t know what my hobbies are or what I like doing. I’ve just been surviving and getting through it. So I need to get to know myself again; I need to get to know myself a lot more. 

I’d also like to see my mates from back in the day and be around them again. At the moment, I’m surrounded by drug users and don’t want to fall into that sort of lifestyle. I’ve got to keep moving forward – and Big Issue is definitely helping me do that. 

I would tell my younger self to just be cautious about life. Because anything can happen in your life and it can change so much that you can end up in a drastic situation. So just be ready for anything. 

Interview: Adrian Lobb

Tesco Express, Clytha Park Road, Newport, UK