'Personal stories help us to understand how people can end up homeless'

Big Issue readers discuss personal stories about homelessness, Blindboy Boatface’s PM for the PM article and Sir Alex Ferguson’s dementia playlist.

Personal touch

I was very moved to read Dr Karishmeh Felfeli-Crawford’s story of being homeless in London. I have been reading Big Issue since it started and worked with street homeless people as a nurse. The most interesting parts of the magazine are the personal stories of people and the difficulties they faced. 

Big Issue provides such insight into poverty, the solutions, and what other countries are doing. But the personal stories are the most memorable. Dr Crawford is brave to share her mental health condition and how it overwhelmed her. 

Bipolar is very debilitating and running away may seem to be the answer. The people at Tottenham Court Road station must have enjoyed the piano playing. I am glad that surviving in London is not so hard with food and drink and hotels allowing the use of toilets.

These stories help people to understand how circumstances for some people can change very fast.

Alexandra Murrell 

Growing together

Great to read in the Big Issue about propagating food resilience in my city of Norwich. And even better to recognise my old Big Issue vendor Simon – hello Simon! Such a good project, which I to my shame knew nothing about. Well, I do now! And I shall be seeking out the sites.

Thank you for making me aware of good stuff right under my nose. And best of luck Simon, in your role as lead grower with Big Grow. All power to your green fingers, everyone! 

Frances Middleton, Norwich 

Read more:

• There is no single image of a ‘homeless person’. Let’s bust the myths about homelessness
• How to get mental health support at work
• How many people are homeless in the UK? And what can you do about it?

Responses to: Blindboy Boatface, PM for the PM     

Gorgeous answers. I’m constantly amazed by your skill at putting things to words that I think a lot of us struggle to express as succinctly and beautifully as you have here.

fabimeimei, Instagram 

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Radical and yet also simple sense. Especially love the idea of calling Peter Thiel. 

storyclare, Instagram

It’s the person who doesn’t want to be in a high position of power who should be there.

Infinitajade, Instagram

That’s my president. 🫡

Faithy3n, Instagram

Marvellous, marvellous, marvellous. The kind of shit I want to read.

tamasene_, Instagram

Wasps and bees are our royalty indeed. 👑🫀❗

cathschwalbe, Instagram

Responses to: Sir Alex Ferguson’s dementia playlist     

From family who have suffered, it’s almost like the music helps to encourage speech through the love of the distraction of everything else. This helps bond us together and improve wellbeing.

Matthew Archer, Facebook 

Nice one, Sir Alex. 

Stop Brexit Events, Facebook

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

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