Tony Rivers, Pero’s Bridge, Bristol: ‘I’d like to work with the homeless. I knows what it’s like’

I like Big Issue. It’s been good for me, gives me something to do. It’s kind of like therapy for me, because I suffer with some post-traumatic stress and it’s really been helping. A friend introduced me to it.

I was kind of doing nothing before. I’ve been in Bristol for eight years. I’m from London, but I’ve been moving around ever since I was in care. Then I came out of care and didn’t really settle anywhere. 

I like the people and the architecture in Bristol. It’s just a big mix, it’s not all the same, all uniform, like it is in Bath. It’s all mixed up, and you can see the history. My favourite kind of buildings have got to be the old ones, like gothic revival and stuff like that. They just put so much effort into it. There was a lot of money then, and they threw it all into the buildings they were making, because that gave them longevity.

Modern architecture, it’s not great.There’s not as much effort going into it. Skyscrapers – it’s a means to an end. It’s good not to take up too much space.

I like drawing. I used to go to college and stuff, and it was interesting, drawing buildings.I did want to be an architect but my life was too all over the place, so there was no hope, really. I got accepted into a few different art colleges just off the back of my portfolio, but my life was too hectic. 

The first time I got accepted I was in care, so it was a lot. I still draw, now and then, when I can. I draw whatever inspires me, it could be anything. Nature, buildings, people, trees. It’s hard to get the movement. I’ve painted, but you need the time to sit down and do it properly, and all of the paints and stuff. 

I like selling the magazine.My mum likes to take pride that there’s sales in the family. She’s in sales, now I’m doing sales too. You just have to be polite and respectful, and no matter how rude someone might be, you don’t return the rudeness. You’re the professional, and in a professional capacity, so you’ve got to act like it. I want to say to my customers, thanks for sharing, thanks very much for everything. If I could meet anyone, it’d be David Attenborough. I liked that cover.

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When I’m off my pitch, I like socialising.I’m 49 this year. Maybe I’ll have a big thing for my 50th, maybe not.

Big Issue have helped me with vouchers and lots of stuff.My housing situation is a bit complicated. I’m not sure how long I’ll do Big Issue, but I would like to move up through the ranks. I’d like to work with the homeless in the future. Not everyone knows what it’s like.

Interview: Lottie Elton. Photos: Hattie Greenyer

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Pero's Bridge, Bristol, UK