NEW HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE DRIVING FOR CHANGE HITS THE STREETS OF LONDON
Sadiq Khan helps launch Driving for Change initiative in London, created by coffee shop social enterprise Change Please to support people experiencing homelessness.
Two London buses have been refurbished and will offer healthcare and support to the thousands of people sleeping rough on London’s streets.
The project, created by coffee shop social enterprise Change Please, has seen two London buses fitted out to provide a ‘one-stop-(free)-shop’ for those experiencing homelessness.
Despite the government’s ban on evictions, increases to Universal Credit and the furlough scheme, the numbers of rough sleepers have risen exponentially over the past 18 months, with an estimated 130,000 households made homeless because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This one-stop solution is a vital offering that will give people experiencing homelessness pathways to potentially life-saving key services that centralise support. The October roll-out will see Driving for Change run for a minimum of two years depending on funding and sponsors in London, with ambition to expand throughout the UK starting in Manchester, then moving abroad to Paris, and throughout the United States.
HSBC UK, Colgate and Mastercard have played a key part in funding the project, and will offer information and guidance on longer-term programs that sustainably support those experiencing homelessness. HSBC UK will provide support and resources on financial wellbeing and can assist people in opening a basic bank account with their ‘No fixed Address’ service, and Colgate will offer access to dental care and oral health education as part of their commitment to providing healthy and confident smiles for everyone. Mastercard is also on board, with a representative from its ‘ Nobody in the dark’ campaign present to impart key digital literacy skills.
Designed by leading architecture and design firm TP Bennett, the interior design concept on each bus offers a safe space to make attendees feel comfortable and at ease.
Driving for Change
Founder of Change Please, Cemal Ezel said: “We are thrilled to take this next step in tackling the homelessness crisis in England and the Driving for Change project will help us reach those in need throughout London. At Change Please we believe in sustainable approaches to ending homelessness and Driving for Change will give the most vulnerable people the opportunity to access crucial services which can guide and support them in changing their lives long-term. We hope to take the project nationwide and then internationally to achieve maximum impact; discussions around Paris and Los Angeles have already begun.”
HSBC UK, Mastercard and Colgate who have partnered with this project have not only provided funding but will continue to support users as well.