PIP lifeline helps Bristol Big Issue vendor reach cancer treatment

A Bristol Big Issue vendor being treated for prostate cancer has shared how he relied on his PIP payments to attend his radiotherapy appointments.

Bob Sheppard (65) has sold the Big Issue since 1994, most recently outside the Co-op in Clarence Place. He’s stopped vending during treatment but is planning to return to a new pitch in the near future.

“I started treatment for prostate cancer last February/March time,” Sheppard tells this week’s Big Issue, out now. “I’ve been having radiotherapy that is much kinder to me and it looks like it’s gone.

“In terms of selling the magazine, it’s been hard. I’ve had to go back and forth to the hospital at different times, it was stressful. I didn’t get much help to get there but because I’ve been on PIP (personal independence payment) I’ve been able to get the odd taxi there.”

The government recently unveiled plans to heavily restrict eligibility around personal independence payments, only to be forced to drop the reforms earlier this month after a backbench rebellion threatened to topple its welfare bill.

“If PIP had been cut in the last year while I was going through cancer treatment, I would have had to apply for loans from ESA, which is not good,” Sheppard reflects. “I live a few miles out of town… Without that money from PIP to get taxis, I would have been f*cked.

“I haven’t had that news from the doctors yet but I think it’s [the cancer] gone anyway. I’m not having to go to the toilet every night. My own body says it’s gone, I do believe that if you’re in tune with your body then you’re usually dead-on.

“I haven’t really been selling recently but I’m in the office now looking for a pitch that’s close because I can hardly walk. But I don’t want to go to a pitch on a mobility scooter. I last sold at the Co-op in St Anne’s but I need to be closer.”

Sheppard has been selling the Big Issue for over 30 years. “I started selling Big Issue in 1994. I got the number 005 – I wish it was 007 but unfortunately I didn’t get that! I still believe in what Big Issue does, it supports loads of people.

“I’m due for retirement in August. I’ll still go out and about with Big Issue, get a little bit of money, but talking to people is so important. If I was stuck in my flat I wouldn’t have anybody to talk to.

“So Big Issue is a big thing for me. They’re even helping me sort out my pension next week.”

The public can support vendors like Bob Sheppard who are temporarily away from their pitch by taking out a subscription to the Big Issue. Subscribe at bigissue.com.