Your browser lacks required capabilities. Please upgrade it or switch to another to continue.
Loading…
<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/pick_your_path_title_image.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="Title image">
Let's begin. You are:
[[Dealing with bereavement]]
[[In the armed forces]]
[[New to the UK]]
[[Battling addiction issues]]<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/2_in_the_armed_forces_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="in the armed forces">
The forces gave you purpose but your combat experiences have left you with mental health difficulties. You leave the army and [[you manage to hold down a flat and transition into civilian life]] or [[you struggle to adapt to civilian life and you lose your flat]]?<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/20_dealing_with_bereavement_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="dealing with bereavement">
You've experienced the bright lights of the city and a high-flying career.
But the loss of your parents is a crushing blow. Your world falls apart.
What next?
[[Stay and battle it out in the city]] or [[head to the seaside]]?<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/32_battling_addiction_issues_ashley_barnes.jpeg" width="400" height="400" alt="battling addiction issues">
Growing up in care homes and foster homes in South Shields was not a great start in life.
So, even though you're just 15, you set out on your own and hitchhike down to London.
What next? [[Get a job]] or [[seek shelter with a homeless charity]]?It's been a slow process – but you've made it. Counselling has helped you deal your demons, you've found a job and life is good.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to make different choices to see how life would have panned out differently for you.The army culture and the routine is no longer there and it is hard to keep track of all the bills. You just can't cope.
With nowhere to go, you feel like you only have a couple of choices:
[[Take shelter in a cave]] or [[you ask for help and take shelter in a hostel]]<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/5_you_take_shelter_in_a_cave_mitchell_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="take the shelter in a cave">
How did you find yourself here? It's dark and damp, wet and cold. But with nowhere else to go, it's also home.
You last six months before the temperature starts to drop.
You move on and [[you ask for help and take shelter in a hostel]] or you [[walk the coast]]It takes a lot of courage to admit you're struggling. The shelter is able to connect you with the support you need.
This time you have the help to hold down a home and a job. Life seems brighter again.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to make different choices to see how life would have panned out differently for you.<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/7_walk_the_coast_mitchell_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="walk the coast">
You don't know where you're going or how long it will take to get there but, for now, just breathing in the sea air is enough.
Two months in to your walk you arrive in Bournemouth.
Should [[you ask for help and take shelter in a hostel]] or should you [[ask a Big Issue vendor where you can pitch your tent]]?<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/8_ask_a_big_issue_vendor_where_you_can_pitch_your_tent_mitchell_ceny.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="ask a big issue vendor where you can pitch your tent">
He's convinced you - you're going to try your hand at selling the magazine.
You go to the office and the staff are friendly, they help you find a flat. It's nice to be indoors for the first time in months.
[[You carry on selling The Big Issue]]Sales are good and you enjoy greeting customers and the chit chat you get while out on your pitch.
You start to get involved with The Big Issue Foundation, doing talks to let others know your story and gives you confidence.
Just yards from your pitch, there is a small craft brewery. There's a job going as a tour guide.
Do [[you go for the job]] or are you [[happy selling The Big Issue]]?<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/10_you_go_for_a_job_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="you go for a job">
Your test tour goes well. Have you got the job? Yes!
You couldn't have done it without The Big Issue so you help other vendors get to the same position as you.
[[Bill's Story]] was the inspiration for this path.You're comfortable and you decide to stay.
While you know that The Big Issue serves as a great platform to other things, you know it will provide support for as long as you need.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to make different choices to see how life would have panned out differently for you.<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2015/10/Bill-Webb-06-ero.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="Bill Webb">
The story you have read is based on the life of Bill Webb, a former Big Issue vendor in Bournemouth. To read more https://www.bigissue.org.uk/vendor/bills-story/.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to make different choices.Your heart isn't in your work. It's impossible to focus on the job and life doesn't make sense anymore.
You try to stick it out but you leave your job and you can't keep up with the bills. You end up on the streets.
You daren't ask for help so for now [[you carry on rough sleeping]] <img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/22_head_to_the_seaside_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="head to the seaside">
The sea air makes everything feel better. It's a big step relocating so quickly. But it just felt right.
Work soon arrives via job agencies, a flat follows, this new life of yours is starting to take shape.
[[Can it last?]]Your employer's business falters, they can't renew your contract and you're made redundant.
You fall ill and you collapse at your part-time job and you're taken to hospital. Your landlord is convinced you had abandoned the flat and he evicts you.
[[Contact the council for help]] or [[end up sleeping rough]]?The council are able to put you up for five days in a hotel. It's desperately necessary. Doctors told you to rest and you manage to stick to their orders.
But at the end of the fifth day there is no sign of anymore help. You're on your own.
You [[end up sleeping rough]] anyway<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/25_end_up_sleeping_rough_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="end up sleeping rough">
Life on the streets is scary. You're not physically imposing and being in the wrong place at the wrong time is risky.
This can't go on. You [[decide to ask for help]] or [[you carry on rough sleeping]]It takes a lot of courage to do it but you have no choice. You end up in an emergency winter shelter in a church.
After a few weeks you find a spot in a homeless hostel.
But you need somewhere permanent. You see a Big Issue vendor on the street. You [[decide to give it a go]]Street life is as hard as ever but you don't trust services enough to ask for help.
You've got no hope, no prospects. Life has become a constant battle.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to make different choices to see how life would have panned out differently for you.<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/28_decide_to_give_it_a_go_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="decide to give it a go">
Selling the magazine is hard at first but you save enough for an unfurnished flat. You don't want to sell the magazine forever.
Do you [[give up The Big Issue and go back to the jobs agencies]] or [[stick with it and hope something will come up]]?It's the same list of office jobs you found before.
You know you can't do it. The hours are gruelling and it's just too much strain on your body.
You [[decide to give it a go]] once more and head back to The Big Issue.<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/30_stick_with_it_and_hope_something_comes_up_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="stick with it and hope something will come up">
The Big Issue offer you the chance to work with a football club.
You're going to be a football match steward! Your new job tops up your income alongside your magazine sales.
You've managed to get your life back on track, just like [[Julie's Story]]<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2018/02/Julie-Cherry-2.jpg" width="300" height="300" alt="Julie">
This story is based on the life of Bournemouth Big Issue vendor Julie Cherry. To read more from Julie go to https://www.bigissue.org.uk/vendor/julie-cherrys-story/.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]].<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/33_get_a_job_-ashley_barnes.jpeg" width="400" height="400" alt="get a job">
You're a 15-year-old in London. Who is going to take you on? You can't afford a place to stay.
You've got no choice. You must [[seek shelter with a homeless charity]] You're grateful for a place to stay but you're struggling for ways to fill your time and you become depressed.
You make friends and that raises your spirits. You want to fit in. You start joining in drinking sessions, next someone offers you drugs.
As time goes by [[you slip back into addiction]]It's frightening how quickly you get addicted. And frightening what you will do to get another fix.
You find yourself in a shop and there’s no one about. The tools on the shelf look expensive but small enough to fit in your pockets. Surely no one will notice...?
Do [[you steal them]] or do [[you walk away]]?<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/36_you_steal_them_ashley_barnes.jpeg" width="400" height="400" alt="You steal them">
You get caught and you're swiftly locked up. Prison's horrible but being inside becomes a familiar cycle over time.
You meet a partner who gives you the strength to detox and turn your life around.
[[You take yourself to The Big Issue office]]No, not this time. Drugs have controlled your life for too long. You're going to take control.
You meet a partner and they give you the strength to detox and turn your life around. Now you just have to find something to do.
Do [[You take yourself to The Big Issue office]] or [[see if one of your old friends can help]]?Finally! Some structure and purpose to your life. You've got the gift of the gab and you're starting to make money.
You're starting to gain confidence and self-belief.
You rent a flat, bringing an end the years you have spent on the streets. You're happy.
[[You move back up to your native North East]]<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/41_you_use_the_big_issue_as_a_platform_to_improve_yourself_ashley_barnes.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="you move back up to your native north east">
Moving with The Big Issue is simple and you're a hit with commuters and staff at the city centre train station where you sell the magazine.
You're sober and you hold down a flat.
Do [[you continue selling The Big Issue]] or [[you use The Big Issue as a platform to improve yourself]]?Selling The Big Issue is brilliant and you never know where it will lead you.
The right person hears about your love of poetry and you manage to get a poem published.
Opening up to others and asking for help has been a blessing.
This path is based on [[Earl's Story]]It's hopeless. You can't keep up with recovery programmes, you can't kick the habit.
As time goes on, your health conditions mount and life on the streets is a reality you have to face.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to see how life would have panned out differently for you.You've found what you love doing. And there is no pressure for you to stop. The Big Issue will continue to support you for as long as you want.
It's a life that you could scarcely have imagined.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to see how life could have panned out differently for you.<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2018/10/1328_MyPitch-hero.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="Earl">
The story you have read is based on the life of Earl John Charlton, a Big Issue vendor in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. To read more from Earl head to https://www.bigissue.com/vendors/earl-john-charlton-40-newcastle-central-station/
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to see how life could have panned out differently for you.<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/13_new_to_the_uk_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="new to the uk">
You recently lost your parents and you will do anything to make your life better.
You head to the UK with dreams of a new life. But you speak no English. Where to begin?
[[You decide to give The Big Issue a try]] or [[you struggle to find work]]With no savings you need to earn some money as quickly as possible and find out about The Big Issue.
Selling the magazine on the streets is tough but you persevere, learning how to say please and thank you and gradually building up confidence.
[[You strive to learn English]]<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/19_you_struggle_to_find_work_mitchell_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="you struggle to find work">
You're desperate to work but without the language or help, homelessness is the inevitable result. This is not the dream move you had hoped for.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to make different choices to see how life would have panned out differently.<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/15_you_strive_to_learn_english_mitchel_Ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="you strive to learn english">
The Big Issue not only helps you earn an income, they also arrange language lessons.
Staff help you write a CV and you hand it out to shops and hotels.
Will [[you take every chance that comes your way]]? Or is [[it too hard, you can’t do it]]?You just need a chance to show how dedicated you are.
The Big Issue gets you a work experience placement at a vegan cafe. You work hard and it pays off! It's the first step towards your dream of opening a restaurant. You carry on selling the magazine part-time.
This tale is inspired by [[Lavinia's Story]]<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/12/17_you_give_up_mitchel_ceney.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="you feel like your luck will never change">
It's impossible to find a job but The Big Issue is there to help you earn an income for as long as you need.
This is the end of your journey. Head back to [[The Beginning]] to make different choices to see how life would have panned out differently for you.<img src="https://images.bigissue.com/2020/10/lavinia.jpg" width="400" height="400" alt="Lavinia">
The story you have read is based on the life of Lavinia Neda, a Big Issue vendor in Cardiff. Read more about her at https://www.bigissue.com/latest/international-womens-day-lavinias-journey-from-big-issue-seller-to-barista/.
This is the end. Head back to [[The Beginning]]