Last summer, Phil played me Walking Down This Lonely Street. Though I was swept away by its sadness, I was also lifted up by the fact that it seems to offer an answer.
“You could say hello, talk about the weather, buy a paper, I don’t want something for nothing.” It’s saying, don’t just feel sorry for me. Help me begin my retreat from the street.
I don’t feel, and a lot of it is feeling, that we’re going anywhere fast over homelessness. 300,000 people are now classed as homeless, and perhaps 8,000 slept rough in London last year alone.
Many harsh words have been said over the recent months (by me, as well as others), that – despite councils spending £1.15bn on homelessness every year – we still have the appalling reality that befalls street livers at Christmas time. About how temporary their support can be; if they get it.
Something big has to be done, and it’s one of the things I hope to be working on for next year.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
In the meanwhile, we have got to get people through this dreaded time. And that means vigorous support for those on the frontline, now.
The Big Issue will be working with hundreds of people over the Christmas period, but it’s clear we need some joined-up thinking. Thinking for the long term. The answer is always long term, though the long term has a habit of eventually become tomorrow.
Phil Ryan’s attempt at making a song about this destitution isn’t simply to bring tears to your eyes. It’s to help us help those who need our help, so that they can end up helping themselves.
That’s a mouthful, I know. But by God is it necessary to get people to stand up for themselves – and that means helping them into being themselves.
Over the last few days, Phil and I have done TV and radio and Walking Down This Lonely Street has been well received. Very well received.
At times, looking at the way people were moved by Phil’s music was a joy to see. But there were also times when even I had to halt my wayward thoughts for this beautiful song.
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Go on, download the song today. It’s available at your fingertips on every online music store, iTunes and Google Play.
And please. Be sure to have a joyous, thoughtful and deeply committed Christmas.
Our 2020 Impact Report
The Big Issue has given more than £1 million support to Big Issue vendors struggling due to the lockdown restrictions. To mark the significant milestone, we have published an impact report, documenting the seismic shift the organisation has undergone in the past 12 months.
View Report 
