Meet your vendor.
Hi, my name is Timothy, but I prefer Timmy sometimes. I grew up in Perth with my mum, dad, older brother and younger sister. I was a middle child and I often felt overlooked in the family.
My brother and I spent heaps of time playing footy growing up. Dad was a trainer for our local team, Swan Districts Football Club, so footy was a big part of our lives. I remember watching the local games every week with my family – it was a bit of a tradition.
School was okay. I had a good friend group, but I did get bullied quite a bit. I left school after Year 11. I worked doing night shift at Target for a few years, then went on to working at service stations.
In 2013, I had a severe mental health crisis. I lost pretty much everything and ended up homeless. That was one of the most difficult times of my life. I was in Fremantle then, and that’s when I met Bill, a vendor for The Big Issue. We struck up a conversation about the magazine and he encouraged me to get involved.
I managed to move into share housing. It got me off the streets, but it wasn’t good for my mental health – many of the people there were battling their own struggles with addiction and/or mental illness. I often stayed in my room to block it all out. The Big Issue gave me something different – it encouraged me to go outside, gave me a routine.
I remember one of my regular customers sat down to have a chat. She told me about Homeswest and community housing, and suggested I put my name down. It took seven years and moving six times, but now I have a stable one-bedroom apartment of my own.
I’ve come a long way since being homeless, but I am most proud of the work I’ve done on my mental health. I still suffer from severe anxiety and agoraphobia, which can last for days or months. It can make it hard to keep up my regular pitch.
What sometimes helps and calms me down are my interests. I’ve always been a big science fiction nerd. I love space movies and TV shows, and I’ve even tried writing stories of my own. I’m a massive Trekkie – I watch the shows, and play the games Star Trek Online and Star Trek Fleet Command. I’m also a big Pokémon GO player. It gets me out and about, through parks and the city, and gives me a way to connect with other people.
Over the years I’ve learned what works for me when selling. When I’m on pitch, I like to keep it quiet. I prefer to hold the magazine up so people can see it. I try to make eye contact and just have a smile on my face.
I’ve managed to save a bit and pick up some basics for my place – stuff like chairs, a fridge and a mattress. It’s played a big part in keeping me from becoming homeless again, and I’m truly grateful.
I hope when you buy the magazine or when we share a smile, I’ve added something positive to your day. Your compassion and support has made a real difference in mine.
Timmy sells The Big Issue in Leederville and Perth CBD
Interview by Tess Acacio
Photo by Ross Swanborough
Published in ed#747