A Homeless Man Selling Magazine Feels Hopeless

Allan, a 37-year-old homeless man from Leeds, started to sell “the Big Issue in the North” magazine three years ago.

He is a floater vender at a couple of stops in Leeds. By selling the magazine, he feeds himself.

Why sells the magazine

“The big issue in the north” is a weekly magazine to help homeless people work but not begging.

According to Allan, the magazine is organised by a private owner.

It helps him to survive.

Why became homelessness

Four and a half years ago, a big fire in his house took his four children, three boys and a little girl, as well as his wife away from him.

Since the accident occurred, he began this homeless and hopeless life.

Daily life and hope

While Allan earns £1.25 by selling one piece of magazine, he could get probably £6-£7 a day to keep himself away hungry.

His sleep place is normally an anti-wind corner with a old door.

If the day is a “good day” when he could get more than £15 a day, he could go to the pub&BNB called “the dog and gun” to have a good night with a nice shower and a full dinner.

That is his biggest hope every single day.

Expectation for incoming election

When asked him if he had any expectation for incoming election, he said though he supported the Labour as usual, he didn’t think anything would be changed.

“They always promise everything, but promise is only the promise”, he said.

However, he still hopes that something could change after the election.

He wish to find a new job and get the house on the waiting list. What is much worse than the homeless is the hopelessness. When mentioned the plan of the future, there was no shine in his eyes.

“I feel hopeless and helpless.”

He repeated that he would have no more children and couldn’t get back to life over and over again.

The only time I felt he was relaxed and happy was when he described about his original life – his cute children, beloved wife and the Sunday dinner (Yorkshire pudding and carvery with delicious gravy) made by his mum.