Speranta Mihai, Barclays, Swindon: ‘A good education is a very good thing’

I have been selling the magazine for more than 10 years. It’s because I have a difficult problem. I’m not well, I have had four operations. This is not good for a job where you have to go in every day, whether you feel OK or not. That is why I tried this job. It is different, it is good. 

If I’m not OK, I’m not here. If I’m OK, I’m here selling. Yesterday I wasn’t here because the problem with my back and my tummy was difficult. But that’s life! You just keep going and you pray.

I have two children. Two boys. One is 16 and one is eight months. They are very good boys. My 16-year-old will finish school in a few years. A good education is a very good thing. I don’t mind what he does after, as long as he is a good boy. That is the most important thing. Every mummy is like this. If the baby is OK, then mummy is OK, everything is OK. I also have a husband. He is a good man. 

I live in Bristol, it is difficult for the rent. Before, I lived in Swindon, where I sell. I have been in the UK since 2002. I like this country. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be here. I like the people. The people are good. This is very important. I am from Romania, but it is difficult there. There is no work, no money, no nothing. So this work is very good for me.

I’m Christian Pentecostal. I love church. God has helped me, every time. If you like living with God, everything is OK. God helps. It is important to pray. I pray every morning, because my life is difficult – but God blesses us.

When I’m not selling, I like cleaning and cooking. I cook something from my tradition, from Romania. Chicken or beef. If I wasn’t selling Big Issue, maybe I would work at a restaurant or at a coffee shop.

I have regular customers. I have worked a long time in Swindon. I have my friends. I have sold for a very long time, so I have my friends from Big Issue. They are good people. And my customers are very great people. Thank you to my customers.

Selling can be hard. Not every day is good. But I like it.

I am 45. My birthday was a few weeks ago. We didn’t have a big party, just a little bit of family, just something simple and good. 

Family is very, very important. Any children are special, any family is special. I don’t know exactly what will happen in the next year. You can’t make promises to yourself, life can be difficult, but God is strong.

Interview: Lottie Elton

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Barclays Bank, Regent Street, Swindon, UK