Vendor Interview: Olja
My Name is Olja. I’m from Croatia. I’ve been homeless in London since 2018. I came here with my partner in search of a better life, and we did have a job. We were employed for 2 years, and then came Brexit. We lost our jobs, and because we didn’t have the registration for certificates, and some administrative things were not on our side, that’s where the homeless story begins. Thanks to the outreach team, thanks to COVID basically, in a way, the outreach team enabled us to find a place and find hostel accommodation. Then I’m doing DOPE Magazine as well, maybe now for 4 years total, I’m selling the magazines. It helps a lot.
George aka “Boxer”
How did you get started selling the magazine?
It was a recommendation. Since I became homeless, at first I was just being moved from one place to another, hostel to hostel, but mainly sleeping on the street. It wasn't until the 2024 Crisis at Christmas that I got really stuck into selling the magazines. I wasn't taking it too seriously at first, but, yeah, I started from then.
Vendor interview: Cardiff
How did you get involved in selling the magazine?
Well, I was literally sleeping rough, and one of my friends, Claire, was doing the magazine and told me it was a good idea for me to make money to get into shelters and get interested in charity work. And I've always done charity work in Cardiff, where I used to work, and I’ve helped people in youth clubs and the Prince's Trust, where I met the Queen's husband…
Vendor interview: Captain
So I was really lucky, it was my 30th birthday, now I’m 38. Two days later, this guy was unloading the van (of DOPE magazine). And he said “you know what guys, you guys might like this, this is cool stuff, this is DOPE, man. And we’re just giving it out to people so they could just earn something.” For free like, you know and get by. He was so kind, one of the kindest people. We helped him unload some stuff, and then he was like “Hey guys, look, I’m okay. I got other guys to help me out here take it in, so just take some”.
Vendor interview: Trolley
Vendor interview: Christine
Vendor Interview: Shariff
How did you get involved in selling DOPE Magazine?
I got involved pretty much in the early stage, when it was the second edition. I was one of the first ones to promote DOPE Magazine. From me only doing it, now everyone’s doing it. I mean it done me wonders. What it did for me was, I was in a situation where I had no status. It was either that or crime. So I chose this – I might be getting humiliated all the time, a thousand ‘no’s – it wasn’t easy, but it really helped me in a massive way.
Vendor Interview: Amber
How did you get involved in selling DOPE Magazine?
So, basically, I seen people handing out this magazine and I wasn’t too sure what it was at first. I was in a dilemma because I didn’t have a job, I didn’t have any benefits and I was looking to turn to crime, which I had been doing. I was quite surprised when I said “what do you need?” and they said “nothing, you just go on a Friday to this place [Freedom Books, Whitechapel].” I thought it was a really good idea and I’ve not looked back since.
Vendor Interview: Michael
How did you get involved in selling
DOPE Magazine?
Well, I was going to Whitechapel Mission, which is the place where I have breakfast, because I don't have proper cooking facilities where I am. I was a bit pissed off with the inflated price of the Big Issue, so when I saw people selling a new mag,
I thought, yeah, I’ll give it a go. So I came to Freedom, got a whole bundle, and I was able to sell it –
I thought it was pretty good.
Vendor Interview: WAR
Vendor Interview: Jeff
Vendor interview: Michael Francis
How did you get involved in selling DOPE magazine?
I actually saw a seller selling it … but he doesn't do it anymore. He’s been a bit naughty, so he doesn't do it anymore. But I caught on with it, and I think I’m a natural.