“It’s like a family for me”: Meet Sheffield’s beloved Big Issue vendor
Mo has become well known among Attercliffe locals ever since he started selling the magazine at his patch
Like thousands across the world, Mohammed earns a living by selling the Big Issue street paper.
His role as a vendor however has bought him more than an income. Mo’s patch in Attercliffe has provided him with a loving community and great sense of belonging.
Everybody who frequents the local Spar knows who Mo is and it shows. His customers show a deep respect for the vendor of 16 years.
He said: “All the time people take care and give me the food and everything. It’s like a family for me.”
Before his time as a vendor, Mo had spent some time in prison, meaning he lost his job, house and freedom.
Over a decade ago, he first started selling copies of the Big Issue at a patch in Barnsley.
Although he initially felt “a little bit scared and nervous”, Mo soon gained his confidence back by selling the magazines.
“At that time the magazine was 50 pence and I would sell 30 magazines every single day,” he said.
He later moved to Sheffield, closer to family, and has become well known among Attercliffe locals ever since.
A regular customer, Christine Wilson, said: “He is always welcome standing outside, very polite and always nice to talk to and says hello to everybody.
“Cheers you up when we have to come to work.”
Mother Danielle Richardson said: “He's very very kind and he likes to chat to everybody, he even tries to talk to the baby, but she's not a fan of anybody.”
Mo sells magazines through Big Issue North, which is part of the International Network of Street Papers.
The organisation sells papers worldwide in order to create opportunities for people to earn money and change their lives.
Mo said: “Selling the magazine is not that easy to sell, you know? You have to build trust.
“There’s two things I say in your life. Be humble, be kind, and people be kind to you.”
Mo hasn’t seen his wife in a number of years and hopes to save enough money to visit his family in Pakistan. Times can be hard for him as he suffers with a bad leg and diabetes.
“In two months' time, I'll become sixty. Sometimes I think to myself, how long am I going to do this. I need to get my family here as soon as possible,” he said.
The vendors, customers and local community at Colombo Church support Mo in achieving this goal.
Alongside its weekly magazines, the Big Issue has released its 2027 calendar which celebrates the vendors who sell every single edition.
All proceeds from the 2027 calendar go directly to the vendor you purchase it from at your local patch.
Big Issue North’s 2027 calendar celebrates the global community of street paper vendors and the connections they build every day.
Featuring a "postcards from around the world" theme, the calendar shares stories and reflections from vendors across the International Network of Street Papers - of which Big Issue North is a part. It’s a worldwide movement of more than 90 street papers creating opportunities for people to earn an income and improve their lives.
The calendar highlights how selling a street paper can support confidence, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging, with vendors from countries including Brazil, Australia, Canada, and the United States sharing what the job means to them.
As well as showcasing inspiring stories from across the globe, the calendar helps Big Issue North vendors boost their earnings during the winter months. Like the magazine, vendors buy calendars from their local office and keep all proceeds from every sale.
Calendars are available from Big Issue North vendors, online and through selected stockists.
Every purchase helps create opportunities for people to earn an income while supporting Big Issue North's wider work across Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and the Humber.