A former Big Issue in the North vendor, who is now a permanent member of staff at Liverpool’s Big Issue in the North office, features in an exhibition in the new Museum of Liverpool. An interview with Darren Stockton, who was a Big Issue in the North vendor for four years, talking about his experiences of homelessness can be heard in the Homes and Homelessness section of the gallery.
Darren’s story features alongside interviews from other people affected by homelessness and staff from agencies working with people in Liverpool. The exhibition also features a Big Issue in the North vendor bib, poster and leaflet. Darren said: “Going to the launch of the exhibition and the new museum gave me goose bumps. It took me back to where I’ve come from and made me proud of what I’ve achieved.”
Darren was homeless and had been selling The Big Issue in the North for around four years when he started a work programme for people who were long term unemployed. As part of this, Darren did a work placement with The Big Issue in the North and at the end of his placement in 2007, he was offered a job. Darren has remained working for The Big Issue in the North ever since, supporting vendors to earn an income and access the services they need to improve their lives.
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