Senorina, Sheffield city centre

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am 27 and I am originally from Romania. I have sold Big Issue North for about two years, except during the pandemic of course. 

How long have you lived in England?
Me and my family first came to UK in 2016 but I have been back and forth to Romania and other places a few times. I’ve also lived in Spain in the past. But now England is definitely my home. I want to stay here. I wouldn’t go back to Romania. It’s a hard place to live. 

Where do you live?
I live in Rotherham in a house with my brother, my children and my mum and my dad. My husband is away at the moment in Romania looking after his aunty. I miss him. He is a good man. 

How long have you been married?
I have been with my husband for eight years now. We met through friends of friends in Romania. 

Tell us about your children.
I have two children – a boy and girl. They are six and five. My boy loves Spiderman so much! He dresses up as him and rolls around the house. He is crazy. I love them very much.

What makes you happy?
My family, my children. We are all looking forward to Christmas!

Why have you come to the Big Issue North office today?
I have come to get my magazines of course but also to get a card machine so that I can take card payments. I would like a card machine because people come to me when I am selling the magazine and ask if they can pay by card. No one has cash anymore. It’s good to be able to come here and get a card machine from the office and they are helping me set it up so I can start taking card payments today. Then the money will go directly into my bank account. 

How did you learn to speak English? 

My English is okay. I didn’t learn it at school but I have been in England for a few years and so I have learnt a little bit. My children speak very good English. They are very intelligent. They talk together in English when we are at home and I don’t always know what they are saying. I also speak Spanish, as well as Romanian. 

Do you like selling the magazine?
Oh yes. This is my job. I’m happy doing it. It’s okay for me because then I can also look after my kids, pick them up from school and things like that. I am always happy and smiling on my pitch. People are kind and nice to me when I sell the magazine, except some bad people. There is a man who begs in the city centre, and he is always swearing at me, but I just smile and say “Good morning!” And the people in the Big Issue North office are very nice people, good people. 

Do you have a message for your customers?
Thank you very much. And Merry Christmas and have a nice day!