Karl Burns, NatWest, The Square, Bournemouth: ‘Last year my flat caught fire. If it wasn’t for Big Issue I’d have nothing’

I’ve been doing Big Issue for about six or seven years. I was homeless at the time. I’d split up with my partner. I knew other vendors and I decided to do it, and I’ve been doing it ever since. I was drinking a lot then. But now, half the people who are doing Big Issue in Bournemouth, I got them signed up. I send them up to the office and they get themselves together. They all come through from me. 

I don’t know if you remember but there was a homeless man beaten half to death in St Peter’s Church. That was me. I had nine fractures to my skull. Two brain bleeds, a brain swell, got no teeth, metal bars holding my face together. I had to learn how to walk, talk, swallow, everything. That’s why I got a mobility scooter. 

I recently went to a park near where I lived and my scooter broke down, and somebody stole it. They put it on the train. I got a video of them taking it. But I got a Hand Up grant through Big Issue, where you pay a certain amount and they pay the rest, and I got a new scooter. I can get on the bus with it and everything. 

Last year, I was living in a flat near my children. I went home one day and it was on fire. I lost absolutely everything. If it wasn’t for Big Issue, and certain people, I’d have nothing. Now I’ve got another place further away but better. I’m in a retirement accommodation. Got my own flat in there. And it’s really good. And I see my kids
every day. 

My kids being born changed me. I used to be totally different before that. In and out of prisons, in and out of all sorts. And then when they were born, I just changed. I’m very proud of my children. My daughter just left school. She’s gone straight into college. My little boy leaves next year. So, they’re grown up now. 

The Big Issue team in Bournemouth, Kirsty and Yas, are absolutely brilliant. They’re good at what they do. They have helped me with everything – getting myself back together, getting everything I need. I mean, I’d be lost. And I love doing it. I love selling Big Issue. 

I talk to all types of people while selling the Big Issue. Whether they’re businessmen, old men, old women, whether they’re downright drunks, I’m nice to everyone. If you’re not nice, they don’t come back.  

A couple of years ago, I was invited to the House of Lords with Lord John Bird. Me and Yas went there. I was with Lady Frederick Windsor [Big Issue Ambassador Sophie Winkleman]. And I got up and did a speech and some questions and answers. I was up there for ages. It was a brilliant day out. 

Interview: Tilda Evans

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NatWest Bournemouth, The Square, Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, UK