The Big Issue
Tue, 2026-01-27 16:51
#1
The Big Issue
The Big Issue
January 2026 Issue. “…My Pitch the Music Special…”
Research has found that 40 per cent of Brits said…
“…they have no ‘meaningful interactions with someone they don’t know on the average week…”
Vendors say. “…it makes all the difference in the world when people stop and chat…”
“…some do and some don’t, it reminds people you’re human when you have a conversation, rather than making you feel invisible…”
Perhaps, when you next pass by a stranger, you may nod or smile.
You’ll never know, your brief connection may have just lifted that persons mood from sad thoughts to one of fleeting moments of joy in their day.
Regards to all.
scoZen
I wonder why that might be? I can think of a few reasons.
I always stop and chat to The Big Issue vendor outside my local Morrison's. She's been going there for about 15 years now.
I'm not great with social situations or small talk - but I'll always engage in a conversation with someone in a shop or on the street if the circumstances seem appropriate. Just passing the time of day. I'll also chat to the neighbours as they pass.
American comedian Doug Stanhope has a very funny (and pertinent) routine on people who always moan about immigrants. ""They don't speak the language!"... then don't talk to them," he goes on. "You know who does speak the language? Your neighbour in the apartment next door. You've lived there ten years and you haven't said one word to that guy. You avert eye contact if you pass him in the hall."
Big Issue.
Hello Kevin, thanks for the feedback.
The article in Issue no 1700 / 12-18 January 2026 refers to vendors Paul and Terry who sell the magazine at Oxford Circus and St Paul’s Cathedral.
It’s a full page article, another comment said…
“…all to often we just walk past with our eyes fixed on our phone or the street ahead…”
All I witness generally is the kindness of strangers who stop for a friendly banter over a hot drink.
Others disadvantaged are well supported, food, shelter and companionship in a safe environment.
But sadly, that’s not the case for others living on the edge os society.
Ps. I was at your book ( “…In The Day…” ) Longmarsh Press presentation in Totnes way, way back.
The Bull Inn, top of the high street I recall.
Mr T Cook was there and you said ‘ I’ll get the drinks in’ we’re both still waiting…
Regards
scoZen
Ooo... that took me by surprise! That's going back!
It was in The Bay Horse, just up from The Bull. Not been down there since - and a lot has happened in the meantime. That book was a bit of a disaster, really. Looking at it now, I can see it needed a lot of changing and editing. But writing it got me through a very difficult time, and then when Longmarsh agreed to publish it, it pulled me out of the well. I, of course, was the central character in recovery. It was a very thinly-disguised autobiography. Actually, it was a couple of years later that I went for my autism assessment. I mentioned the book to the psychologist and she asked for a copy. She had the last one! She was in no doubt about the diagnosis. And I realise now that it was all about a man struggling under a misdiagnosis: not BPD, but autism. It all became crystal clear to me after that. Since then, I've been working in collaboration with a local autism charity in delivering workshops to 4th-year medical students at Kent and Medway Medical School. One of the areas I'm most keen to impress on them (many seem to want to go into general practice) is the risk of mental health misdiagnosis with autistic people. Sadly, many people presenting with particular symptoms and behaviours are still channelled off into mental health services, where they might well (as was the case with me) be misdiagnosed and given inappropriate treatments and therapies (basically, treating the symptoms, not the underlying cause). For some reason, too, there seems to be resistance in the MH services against considering autism. The crossovers with conditions like BPD are enormous. Two years ago, I was pleased to help a dear friend get her autism diagnosis finally, after decades of her receiving inappropriate treatment for BPD. None of it ever worked for her. Now she knows. As I've mentioned in pieces on here, it's like having the Enigma code of your life broken at last, and everything makes sense. The analogy I often use is that of a Linux Operating System in a Windows world: it does the same job, but in quite a different way - which doesn't make it the wrong way!
I don't remember too much about that evening - except being so glad to see Tony there. His words buoyed me up, too. Sadly, I lost contact with a lot of people once I stopped using Facebook and other social media platforms. But I was in touch with Tony briefly a couple of years back. Trust he's keeping well. I'm struggling to remember your being there, I'm afraid! Can't place 'ScoZen' with a face! And I'm deeply sorry if I neglected to buy you both a drink. That's not a habit I make - dropping out on a round. In fact, I'm usually the first to get my belly up to the bar! It's clearly a big mark-down to me that I don't remember it. It must have been the occasion. Hopefully, I can make up for it some time. Again, many apologies. It wasn't deliberate.
I work with the homeless and personally know a woman who sells the Big Issue in my village - she has six children who have her tea waiting when she gets in after work. And they blanket her feet up. I adore that she tells me this. At Christmas, her card broke my heart because I do give her time but she gives me strength equally. Anyway, I gifted her some fingerless gloves and said I know I could have gifted you big fuck off frizzly alpaca socks but then the kids might have stopped blanketing your feet and I am not one to sabotage a ritual.
Hello there Vera. Firstly, a thank you for your comments.
re “…I work with the homeless and personally know a woman who sells the Big Issue in my village…”
I called into the “…inDISPOSABLE…” project on Friday and amongst the work on display, an audio link.
Brief words, 6 minutes and 23 seconds long, an extract from a recorded interview.
Her words heartbreaking.
I have been granted permission for the link to be sent direct to me and it may be just possible to post in the ABC notice board for all to read. Her name remains confidential.
Read more at… Torre-Abbey.org.uk
“…inDISPOSABLE is a public art project working with marginalised, nomadic and street attached individuals. Using the conceptual and literal lens of photography, this project aims to change the public’s perception of this community and to better understand their day-to-day experiences. 21 disposable cameras were distributed, and the artists given free rein to capture images that reflected their experiences and perspectives….”
You take care and give the “…frizzly alpaca socks…” lady a hug from me.
Kind regards.
scoZen
I was a fan on 'In the Day'. An honest book. We are all our own central character.
Thanks, Jack. I do appreciate your encouragement. It was a disaster in a lot of other ways that I can't go into. But I stand by it for something I did at the time, in the place I was then in. I'm glad I'm still here to put it into context.