05:00, 08 April 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Recently recognised by leaders including the Mayor of London for its innovative approach to supporting people experiencing homelessness, Change Please has emerged as one of the UK’s most forward-thinking charitable organisations.
Combining social enterprise with community care, Change Please uses everyday tools, like coffee, buses and mobile dental clinics, to create dignity, opportunity and connection for those who need it most.
At the heart of Change Please’s work is its pioneering coffee business. What began as a single cart has grown into a full-fledged social enterprise serving specialty coffee across London and beyond. 100 % of profits from this coffee fuel the charity’s mission to end homelessness and every cup purchased helps create jobs, training and real opportunities for people experiencing homelessness.
What sets this programme apart is its employment-first model: trainees receive barista training, a living-wage job, housing and support services that help them regain stability and confidence.
Whether customers are grabbing a takeaway cappuccino or supporting through subscriptions, each purchase contributes directly see an example of how contributions support their initiatives like fueling the bus for a day.
One of Change Please’s most remarkable innovations is a fully refurbished mobile dental clinic housed inside a London double-decker bus. This initiative transforms a traditional vehicle into a state-of-the-art dental surgery, bringing essential oral healthcare directly to people experiencing homelessness.
Rather than requiring patients to visit a fixed clinic, the service is mobile — travelling directly to where people are, removing one of the biggest barriers to care. The programme focuses on delivering hands-on dental treatment, ensuring patients receive the support needed to restore and maintain oral health.
You can read more about this initiative on the Smile for Change page, or in wider industry coverage such as this feature on Nature, which highlights the launch of the bus and its support from London leadership.
This project also showcases collaboration in action, with partners like Colgate Professional helping expand access to dental care for underserved communities.
Why This Nonprofit Truly Matters
Beyond coffee and dental services, Change Please’s Driving for Change programme repurposes iconic London double-decker buses into mobile support hubs. These buses deliver a range of services, including healthcare, employment support, and access to financial and digital resources, directly into communities.
By meeting people where they are, this approach removes systemic barriers and creates more inclusive access to support. You can explore the full scope of this programme on the Driving for Change page, as well as in their broader impact overview.
This holistic model demonstrates that addressing homelessness requires more than temporary solutions—it requires sustained, human-centred support systems.
Change Please has also built meaningful partnerships with brands to extend its reach and deepen its impact. Collaborations like the one with Colgate Professional help fund and deliver essential services such as mobile dental care.
These partnerships are a powerful example of how corporate social responsibility can translate into tangible outcomes — supporting both awareness and direct action.
By working together, brands and nonprofits can create scalable, sustainable change that benefits entire communities.
From crafting specialty coffee that creates employment to delivering healthcare via converted buses, Change Please is reimagining how support for people experiencing homelessness can look. Their work highlights the importance of dignity, accessibility and opportunity in building long-term change.
To learn more about their story and impact, visit the Change Please about page.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Change Please. This UK-based social enterprise empowers people experiencing homelessness through barista training, employment opportunities, and mobile support services including healthcare and dental care. Learn more here.
Covenant House. A US nonprofit that provides shelter, healthcare, and support services to young people experiencing homelessness. It aims to help vulnerable youth rebuild their lives and achieve long-term independence. Discover their work here.
Orange Sky. Founded in Australia, this innovative charity offers free mobile laundry and shower services to people experiencing homelessness, creating safe spaces for connection and dignity. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG NO Poverty, Sustainable Cities.
