Addressing Homelessness: How Innovative Approaches Are Changing Lives
Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies
A business solutions provider specialising in cleaning & hygiene products.
Homelessness is a crisis that affects millions of people around the world. It is not just about the lack of a roof over one’s head but about the cycle of poverty, stigma, and the deep, systemic issues that prevent individuals from finding lasting stability. Throughout the UK, homelessness remains a significant issue, exacerbated by rising housing prices, limited social housing, the increasing cost of living, lack of job security, and strains on social support services. Tackling this crisis requires new and effective solutions now more than ever.
Pioneering Change Through Social Enterprise
In the face of this persistent challenge, Change Please emerges as a trailblazer in the realm of social enterprise. The organisation exemplifies how businesses can redefine their role in society by addressing the root causes of homelessness through employment, support, and empowerment. As a participant in the Purposeful Providers Programme (PPP), created by Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies, Change Please amplifies its mission by joining a collective effort to showcase the transformative power of social enterprises. This involvement demonstrates how strategic collaboration can drive progress on multiple fronts, building a future where inclusivity and sustainability are at the core of business operations.
Recognising Excellence: UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024
Adding to their impressive credentials, Change Please recently won two prestigious awards at the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024:
These accolades not only illustrate the organisation’s pioneering work but also reinforce its role as a leader in driving meaningful change.
Brewing Change, One Cup At A Time
Imagine this: you walk into a café to grab your morning coffee, something that might seem like a simple, everyday action. What if your coffee didn’t just help you feel awake but also helped transform the life of someone who had previously faced the harsh realities of homelessness? This is exactly what Change Please aims to achieve with every cup sold.
Change Please empowers individuals who have experienced homelessness by providing them with employment as baristas. This initiative ensures a steady income while also offering comprehensive training, housing support, and a living wage. It’s a full-circle approach designed to break the cycle of homelessness, equipping individuals with the skills, confidence, and support they need to rebuild their lives.
As part of the Purposeful Providers Programme, Change Please coffee is now proudly served at all BCHS sites. By integrating this impactful initiative into our operations, we contribute directly to the mission of ending homelessness while supporting a social enterprise with a proven track record of success.
A Testimonial of Transformation
Kiera, a Change Please graduate, shares her transformative experience:
“I was signed on to universal credit for a bit, I went down a bit of a rut and didn’t really believe I was capable of doing anything, realistically. I had an interview with Change Please and my life has changed completely. The people, and the job, ticks all my boxes, puts a smile on my face, and I actually want to wake up and go to work. The job has helped me a lot with my confidence and mental health. Change Please doesn’t just give you a job; they make sure you are mentally okay in all aspects such as anxiety, and depression, and they make sure you have everything else you need to make you good at your job. Once you are done with the training programme at Change Please they don’t just drop you and leave you; they make sure they find somewhere for you to start a career.”
Kiera’s testimony is a shining example of the positive influence Change Please has on individuals striving to rebuild their lives. Her experience highlights the organisation’s focus on delivering employment alongside the essential support needed for lasting success.
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A Holistic Approach to Homelessness
The mission of Change Please goes far beyond providing employment; it’s about tackling the root causes of homelessness. The organisation acknowledges that the right support is fundamental to helping individuals overcome barriers and establish independence. That is why they focus on providing not just jobs but the crucial services that enable long-term stability.
Tara Cunningham, Head of Marketing at Change Please, shares how the organisation provides tailored support at every stage of the trainee journey:
“Throughout each trainee’s journey, they have access to an abundance of additional support. Initially, the support team will speak with each trainee about what support we can offer and what support they would like from us: this can be anything from help around housing, mental health, accessing therapy, physical health, finances, attending appointments to anything they feel is getting in the way of achieving their goals. Once the trainees have started their work placements, the support team will meet each trainee on a regular basis at the training site to check in.”
This model focuses on addressing the root causes of homelessness through a holistic approach. Change Please recognises that securing stable employment is just one part of the equation; without the necessary support to address mental health, housing, and other personal challenges, lasting change is difficult to achieve. By offering tailored services and continuous support, Change Please enables individuals to find work and build a stable, fulfilling future.
Changing Perceptions
One of the most significant challenges of tackling homelessness is breaking down the stigma surrounding it. Change Please is working to change the narrative by shifting perceptions of homelessness through positive customer interactions.
“By employing individuals experiencing homelessness as baristas, Change Please puts a human face on homelessness. Customers interact directly with these employees, which helps to break down stereotypes and stigmas. These personal interactions create a more empathetic understanding of homelessness as a condition that can happen to anyone, rather than a defining characteristic.”
Through this method, combined with effective storytelling, Change Please demonstrates the power of change. These meaningful exchanges help to dissolve misconceptions, encouraging a more empathetic perspective of homelessness as an issue that can affect all, helping the public view it as a challenge that can be addressed rather than a permanent condition or label.
Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies: A Commitment to Purpose
At BCHS, our Purposeful Providers Programme represents our commitment to partnering with social enterprises that make a tangible difference in society. By creating PPP, we aim to foster collaboration, showcase innovative solutions, and integrate impactful initiatives into our operations. Together, we can work toward creating a sustainable, inclusive future.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
Change Please was founded with one clear objective: to lift people out of homelessness…for good. This mission remains the driving force behind everything they do, as they expand their reach, forge new partnerships, and share success stories.
As a key participant in the Purposeful Providers Programme, Change Please demonstrates the power of collaboration between business and social responsibility. Their work highlights the significant difference social enterprises can make in tackling societal challenges. The recent recognition at the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024 further affirms their leadership in innovation and social impact.