Italy is in nationwide lockdown, effectively quarantining its entire population in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus. Inside the initial red zone of the northern region of Lombardy sits the city of Milan, where Italian street paper Scarp de’ tenis is based. The magazine’s editor Stefano Lampertico writes vividly of life under lockdown for the publication and the vendors it serves.

After finding it difficult to find employment after returning to Milan following a 15-year absence and entering her 60s, Anna was introduced to Scarp de’ tenis by Caritas. She now works as a magazine vendor and is touched by the solidarity that those around her demonstrate when they buy copies of the magazine from her.

In collaboration with The Big Issue, vendors from street papers across the world have been sharing some insider tips on the cities they live and work in, which we are sharing during #VendorWeek. Here, Scarp de’ tenis vendor Aldo talks about Milan.

This year we asked vendors: if you could give a song as a present this Christmas, what would you choose? The result was the INSP Vendor Playlist, which is now available for your listening pleasure. Scarp de’ tenis vendor Claudio reminisces about the Italian countryside through his favourite song of all time.

This week, Italian broadcasting network TV2000 will air a four-episode documentary series celebrating the work of Italian street paper Scarp de’ tenis, the lives of its vendors and those who work with homeless people in their daily lives. The show is gaining national interest thanks to the participation of film star Giacomo Poretti, who presents with “irony and a lightness of touch”.

Castrenze has been hit hard by Italy’s financial crisis, more than once in his life. But now settled in a home as a Scarp vendor, things are looking up.

“Thanks to Scarp de’ tenis, I am able to smile today,” says Marcello, who sells the magazine in Milan. Here, he talks about this past, the circumstances that led to him becoming homeless and his hope that, in the future, he will be able to repay the kindness that he received while homeless by helping others in need.

Tommaso, a Scarp de’ tenis vendor in Italy, tells us about his close relationship with his brother and how it has helped him push through some of the more challenging periods of his life.

Sergio has a talent for woodworking and he is never too busy to help someone out.

Having fled Ghana due to political instability, John has lived in Italy since 2007. Selling Scarp de’ tenis lets him keep in touch with family back home as he seeks his dream job as a gardener.