London buses are being turned into mobile treatment centres, funded by a coffee company called ‘Change Please’, which uses 100 percent of its profits to finance charitable initiatives.
The charity combats homelessness by giving barista training and offering housing and employment opportunities to London’s forgotten population.
Driving for Change
The new initiative is called ‘Driving for Change’, which will see three London buses equipped to support homeless people. They’ll be able to see medical staff and dentists, open bank accounts tailored to those with no fixed abode, and get advice on finding work.
The Driving for Change initiative is designed to go directly to individuals who need their support, rather than waiting for them to come to us close to breaking point.
This is a chance for rough sleepers and the hidden homeless to receive the help they otherwise would not get.
Homelessness set to soar in England amid cost of living crisis
Initiative turns big red buses into treatment centres for homeless people
One of the buses will have showers and hairdressers on board so the homeless to feel good about themselves as much as they’re on the street.
Another bus boasts a full dental suite and a nurse. as dental hygiene is one of the biggest problems for homeless people and the third bus is in the works and will focus on mental health and women’s issues.
The buses will drive in and around London and have seen more than 250 people since they launched in November.
The roll-out will see the Driving for Change initiative run for a minimum of two years, with the hope to take the project nationwide to accomplish maximum impact; then moving abroad to Paris, and throughout the United States.
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In today’s shop 💙 @CemalEzel @ChangePlease pic.twitter.com/9LU4Mdm4KV
— Ben Keene (@benkeene) February 26, 2022