Meet Joe
Big Issue North vendor, Joe McDowell, features in this week's Big Issue magazine. Joe loves selling The Big Issue at M&S in Prestwich - a pitch that he has worked on for many years.
I was born in Glasgow, but we moved to Leeds when I was little. I started selling the magazine when I was homeless in Leeds years ago, by the university. Then I used to work in Manchester, and now I have been in Prestwich for about 25 years.
The staff and customers at M&S like me because I help to put away the shopping carts or help people take their shopping to their cars. I’ve seen managers come and go, and I always say to new managers, “If you need anything, just let me know.”
I had a hard childhood. My dad was really nasty. He was violent. He told me to leave home when I was 15. I went to a special school and have no qualifications. I used to be a gardener, and if there was sunshine it was OK, but it was tough if it was raining. I prefer selling the magazine. Talking to people really cheers me up, even on a grim day when it’s wet and business is slow.
I had seven sisters and a brother, but most of them have died now. I’m still in touch with two of my sisters, Catherine and Bernadette. We talk on Facebook.
I had a hard childhood. My dad was really nasty. He was violent. He told me to leave home when I was 15. I went to a special school and have no qualifications. I used to be a gardener…I prefer selling the magazine. Talking to people really cheers me up, even on a grim day when it’s wet and business is slow.
I once went on The Jeremy Kyle Show because one of my sisters contacted me through the Salvation Army and said, “You’ve got a daughter.” I said, “I’ve not got a daughter!” I decided to do a DNA test, but it was about £70, but if you went on The Jeremy Kyle Show it was free.
I said to her, “Why do you call my mam ‘nana’ and my sisters ‘aunty’ when you’re not related to me?” But it turned out she was my daughter. All I remember is going out to a nightclub, meeting a lady and then going home!
It was a really stressful experience. You only see what’s on stage. In the background, they come into the room you are in and wind you up – telling you things the other person has said and stuff. But you don’t see that on the telly.
I had a really rough time during lockdown. I was suicidal. I couldn’t get my antidepressants, I was behind on bills, and I couldn’t go out. I kept in touch with the Manchester office, and I got some money from them to help me out but it didn’t replace the money that I would make selling the magazine.
I also missed my regular customers. I know that they were all asking when I was coming back to sell. Then I lost my house, which I’d had for years.
Now I’m in a supported accommodation bungalow. It’s lovely. It’s quiet and there’s CCTV all over the place and security guards, so I feel safe. The Manchester Big Issue North office helped me out with furniture, and so did the hostel I’d been staying at and one of my customers. I’ve been there a few years now.
I want to say to my customers, thank you for supporting me and for the help that you’re giving me, and please keep on supporting me.
I work four days a week, and on my days off, I meet up with another vendor, Graham, who sells in Ashton-under-Lyne, or watch TV. I love soaps: Coronation Street, EastEnders, Neighbours, and Emmerdale. I went on a tour of the Coronation Street set recently. It cost me £17. I wanted to do the proper tour of the cobbles to see where all the shops are, but that costs about £55. But it was lovely.
I have a card reader now. Cristian at the Manchester office helped me to get a bank account so I could get one. I still do most of my sales in cash, but it makes a lot of difference. I love Cristian.
I have a lot of regular customers. At Christmas, I dress up as Santa, and sometimes when I’m on my pitch, kids say to their mams, “It’s Santa!”
I want to say to my customers, thank you for supporting me and for the help that you’re giving me, and please keep on supporting me.
Interview: Brontë Schiltz
If you would like to help us in our mission to support hundreds more people like Joe who in need of work, please text BINORTH to 70970 to give £5, or visit www.justgiving.com/bigissuenorth.
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