Gareth cox, birmingham
Gary is 39 years old and has been a Big Issue Vendor since 2006.
After leaving school Gary completed a five year building apprenticeship and entered the building trade. Unfortunately, he suffered a fall while working and shattered the right side of his body, which ended his building career as well as leading to a battle with depression. However, Gary got himself back together and gained employment in a betting shop soon becoming the store manager. After five years working there he fell in with the wrong crowd and lost his job.
After a lengthy stay in hospital Gary spilt up with his girlfriend, losing his home and sleeping rough in Birmingham City centre. After a couple of months he started selling The Big Issue a decision that Gary says “has given him a completely different life.”
With the help of The Big Issue Gary found a place in a hostel, and six months ago he moved into sheltered housing. Gary made an application to The Big Issue Foundation’s Vendor Support Fund to buy new quilts and blankets for his new home. He is also needs a bed but he wants to try and save for it himself as he considers there are plenty of other people who need support move than him.
Gary credits The Big Issue with giving him stability, restoring his self-respect and the confidence to go to college. “The people at The Big Issue are my friends; I can talk to them, have a laugh with them… the alternative would be sitting in my room getting depressed.”
Currently studying for his Level 2 AAT in accountancy two days a week and preparing for his exams. Gary has also been using the Vendor Savings Scheme to save for a computer to help him with his course.
Gary says that although he is doing all this for himself he also wants to show other people that it can be done and that he’d “suggest The Issue to anyone, it gives you a purpose in life and the ability to feel better in yourself’."
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