Grant Elder, Waitrose, Comely Bank, Edinburgh
Grant has previously sold Big Issue in Canberra, Australia. He's hoping to save up to get back there to be reunited with his wife
I’m selling Big Issue basically to make sure I feed myself. I get help from the government as well which I try to send to my wife. So Big Issue keeps me going and keeps me alive.
I came back from Australia for a funeral and I became unwell and then things just were ongoing from there so I ended up with no money. I was staying in Dundee in the ex-servicemen’s quarters and I was ready to go back. I paid for my flight, went to Edinburgh Airport, went to get on the plane and they said I had the wrong visa. So I lost all my flight money and I’ve got to reapply for a return permit residence visa.
I’ve got a few health problems. I’ve got osteoporosis and so I’ve broken quite a few bones and when it’s cold the joints really hurt. But thankfully it’s not been that cold up to now. But I’ve got gloves there and they gave me a Big Issue hat so that’s great.
Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription
When I first started selling here I was a bit self-conscious about my face and my speech but it’s improved. I had shingles in my mouth and in my ears and that caused Bell’s palsy, which is basically an inflammation of nerves in the face. I woke up one morning and my whole face was really lopsided. It’s taken a while to get better, but I’m on the mend.
When I first immigrated in 2006, although I had permission to stay I didn’t have permission to work until the visas came through. So for 18 months I didn’t have any income. I sold the Big Issue Australia in Canberra. It enabled me to basically live a decent life without having to go begging. So this is the second time it’s helped me.
I’ve also met some great people doing Big Issue. I’ve met a few of them for coffee in town. I’m not lonely, to put it that way! I’ve got people to talk to and people that genuinely care. When you’re a bit down and you’re lonely, that’s a big thing. That encourages me to keep going.
Big Issue has been very helpful. I lost my phone and Big Issue organised one for me which was great, not just for getting paid into the bank, but it enabled me to keep in contact with my wife which is obviously a big thing. They also offered to get me registered at a doctor and a dentist. They got me new glasses.
At first, when I sold the magazine in Canberra, I was very ashamed of what I was doing. I thought, oh god, it’s like begging. But now I understand it’s not like begging. People are helping me. People here, they just give me hope for the future, put it that way. It’s not all about getting money from people, it’s about feeling you’re a valued human being.
To be able to immigrate to Australia, I was in my forties and that was the biggest change for me in my life. I was going nowhere, going from job to job, working around Europe and once I got to Australia my whole life changed for the better. I got married which was great, I was able to buy my own house, no mortgage, so I’m debt free.
I’m saving up towards a flight back and I’ve nearly got there, so that’s good. I know I can do this with the help of Big Issue. If I had one Christmas wish, it would be to be on a plane back to Australia.
Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more.
Change a vendor’s life this Christmas.
Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – or support online with a vendor support kit or a subscription – and help people work their way out of poverty with dignity.
Waitrose & Partners, Comely Bank Road, Edinburgh, UK