Driving For Change

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What Is Driving for Change?

Backed by sponsors HSBC UK, Colgate and sub-sponsor Mastercard
Driving for Change is an all-in-one direct intervention service providing those experiencing homelessness access to free GP consultations, haircuts, dental care, digital and financial literacy training, support opening a bank account where appropriate, employment support, shower facilities, therapy assessments, and essential everyday items.

For more information, please click here to read more

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. In addition to the multiple services Driving For Change will provide, we are in talks with the NHS to provide vaccinations against COVID-19 on the buses for rough sleepers.

We'd like to thank our sponsors HSBC UK, Colgate and Mastercard, who have played a key part in funding the project.

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.

Community Dental Services CIC (CDS CIC) 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.

“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.”

Cemal Ezel, Founder of Change Please

“Without a bank account it’s extremely difficult to claim benefits, rent accommodation or receive wages, which means people who are homeless can become trapped in their current situation.

Our No Fixed Address service aims to break this cycle by working with charities to provide access to a basic bank account without the need for ID or proof of address. We’re pleased to bring this service to more people in need via the Change Please Project.”

Maxine Pritchard, Head of Financial Inclusion and Vulnerability, HSBC UK

“Oral hygiene is a critical form of healthcare and we know a healthy smile can give people affected by homelessness the confidence boost they need.

At Colgate, we believe everybody deserves a future they can smile about, so we’re delighted to be a partner of Driving For Change to bring that commitment to life.”

Taylor Gordy, General Manager of Colgate Northern Europe

“Digital and financial literacy go hand in hand in making a difference to people’s lives. We are thrilled to take part in The Change Please Driving for Change Project to equip rough sleepers with the skills to start taking control of their financial futures.

Our work with Driving for Change is another step in tackling the digital divide by getting them back on their feet AND on a secure financial footing which will help them in the long term.”

Kelly Devine, Division President, Mastercard UK & Ireland

Support Driving For Change

Driving for Change has also been made possible by customers continuing to buy Change Please coffee, as 100% of profits from the coffee business go towards financing charitable activities.

Through our barista training program, we take pride in our efforts to work directly with those experiencing homelessness to provide a long-term solution, to not only lift people out of homelessness, but to offer sustainable support to give people a real chance to get their life back.

Here's How You Can Help

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Driving for Change Appeal

Are you looking for something different to give to this year? We are Change Please and we are here to address the rise in homelessness. We need your help to achieve this.

The last 2 years have been difficult for everyone, especially people experiencing homelessness. Every week we see statistics and reports of increasing need that give us pause for thought as we try to move back to a more normal life again.

During lockdown the “Everyone-In” initiative provided most with emergency hotel or hostel accommodation. This has now largely ended which has meant a rise in people experiencing homelessness.

- 82% rise in 18 – 25 year olds sleeping rough (Greater London Authority)
- 11,018 people were seen sleeping rough in London during 2021/22, a 3% increase compared to the previous year’s figures (GLA CHAIN data)
- The loss of jobs and tenancies are causing an increase in London’s rough sleeping population

These numbers need to be reversed and Driving for Change is part of that. We have to stop this trend.

We all need to come together to help support London’s homeless population.

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