Helen has been a vendor for The Big Issue since April 2012 and sold her first magazine on her birthday. Since that day, she hasn’t looked back. “Before I worked here, I was just staying at home, not now; I’m out and about,” she said.
Helen was born in Taree, NSW, before making the move to Sydney. She heard about The Big Issue through seeing other vendors in action and decided that selling the magazine was what she wanted to do. “My pitch is at the Surry Hills shopping centre. I’ve been working a lot and the sales are good there,” she said.
When Helen is not working hard selling the magazine she enjoys cooking, housework and looking after her pets. “I live with my cat, Princess, who loves her food. I’ve also got a fighting fish called Charlie. I liked the cat on the cover of the January edition so much I have it up on my wall at home,” she said. “I enjoy working up at Surry Hills; it’s a good place to work. I’m on an advanced graduate badge and in April I’ll be on a senior badge.”
“Selling The Big Issue makes me happy and I like to talk to people and connect with my customers. If anyone would like to buy a magazine, I’m always happy to have a chat.”
