‘homelessness is a very close reality for people now’

DAVID POPA, 19 My name is David Popa. I speak Spanish and Romanian, and a little bit of English. I’ve also been working with Big Issue for two years. Big Issue has helped me a lot with finding a job b

TAMARA, 49 I’m Italian born and I was raised in the Alps. One of my parents is Sardinian and the other is Sicilian so that means I am a melting pot of craziness and passion! I will be 50 in a couple o

I’m established now. I’ve been on this pitch nearly eight months. I’m getting a lot of regulars. The locals are buying off me, as well as the staff from all the offices. I’m right in the middle of it

GARDEN FELT LIKE the perfect discreet spot for dissecting life with Alexander Lincoln on a late Tuesday afternoon. He walks in — all six feet, three inches of him, pint in hand — and so much for quiet

TONY FLYNN, 67 I’ve recently come out of hospital after a triple heart bypass so I haven’t been using my pitch. Somebody else is using it now but I do a bit part-time. We’ll see how my fitness goes, w

Few would say Charlie Sloth lacks self-belief. The North London-born, 44-year-old DJ, producer and broadcaster learnt the ropes on pirate radio, his passion and enthusiasm crackling down the airwaves