Fair Play Talks to the Change Please Foundation’s Head of Driving for Change, Henrietta MacEwen, about the global initiative Driving For Change and its goals to support the homeless. She also shares her experience of being a female leader in charity; and provides advice to others who want to work in the industry.
Fair Play Talks: What exactly is the Driving for Change initiative?
Henrietta MacEwen: The initiative has seen two double decker buses that have been repurposed to go out directly to rough sleepers. The two London buses have been transformed into mobile care centres, which have been repurposed as a one-stop solution to provide essential services for rough sleepers; including access to GP consultations, a mobile dentist, showers and haircuts.
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.
Fair Play Talks: Where did the idea for this unique initiative come from?
Henrietta MacEwen: Cemal Ezel (CEO and Founder of Change Please) saw the need for a moveable service that could go to areas with rough sleepers and bring services to them; rather than them having to try and find a service. Homeless people are often unaware they can access the type of assistance we provide. Cemal knew that by starting the Driving for Change initiative to those experiencing homelessness, it would make a real difference.
Fair Play Talks: What do you hope to achieve with the initiative? What is the five-year plan?
Henrietta MacEwen: Our ultimate goal is to help and support as many people as we possibly can. As the only one stop solution of it’s kind in the UK, we know what a vital offering we are to those experiencing homelessness. In the next five years I would love to say that we are not only helping those in the UK who are experiencing homelessness; but individuals across the globe. By providing a foundation of support for those experiencing homelessness, the Driving for Change initiative will help with the first crucial steps in getting off the streets.
Fair Play Talks: Your website highlights how the initiative is a “disruptive approach” in ending homelessness. How is this initiative different from others in the sector?
Henrietta MacEwen: There isn’t anything like this in the sector, and our approach emphasises on collaboration and that makes us unique. Our initiative works with existing experts in the field to deliver results. For example, on the separate buses we have representatives from HSBC who assist people in opening a basic bank account with their ‘No Fixed Address’ service. There are also representatives from Colgate and Community Dental Services, who will offer access to dental care and oral health education.
Fair Play Talks: Is Driving for Change a sustainable approach to ending homelessness?
Henrietta MacEwen: Ending homelessness is a question we continually ask one another in the sector, however, a solution has yet to be found. Nevertheless, the Driving for Change initiative enables us to go directly to individuals who need our 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. I think that’s the most important thing to remember is that they need support too.
Fair Play Talks: How is the initiative important to homeless people’s wellbeing?
Henrietta MacEwen: Hugely important. We’ve dressed wounds, helped with specific mental health and wellbeing needs whilst also putting those who have been discharged from hospital (but don’t know where to go) in contact with Greenhouse; a homelessness GP service in Hackney.
Although we call the Driving for Change initiative a one-stop solution to helping the homeless, we encourage those who visit us to come back if they need to use our services again. We know the homelessness crisis is not going to be fixed overnight; but we are confident that this kind of solution will have an incalculable impact on people who need our help.
Fair Play Talks: Wellbeing is fundamental to everyone. How do we ensure that even those at their lowest receive their basic human rights and receive basic care?
Henrietta MacEwen: Around the world and here in the UK we witness the basic human rights of so many being stripped away. The first step in helping those who need our support the most; is empathy. Set aside time to finally give that cause that keeps persistently nagging at your heart the attention it deserves. We all have something we care about deeply, mine was the homelessness epidemic. Each one of us at some point in our lives will need the love and support from those closest to us. Imagine if you didn’t have anyone there?
Fair Play Talks: What is the biggest misconception about homelessness in society? What do people misunderstand the most about this area?
Henrietta MacEwen: A lot of people see the homeless as drunks and drug addicts, however, that is not the case; many are on the street due to no fault of their own. Imagine it was you. Imagine you got home tonight and your landlord had suddenly evicted you. Where do you go? What do you do? Who do you speak to? Who do you call?
Most of us would call our friends, but if you have had a marriage breakdown and you’re thrown out of the house, then you have nobody. In that situation, ask yourself what would you do and how would you cope? For people on the street, alcohol and drugs are often used as a coping mechanism. However, the majority of individuals who have ended up on the street are not there because of substance abuse; rather an unfortunate spiral of circumstances that are often out of their control.
Fair Play Talks: As a female leader in the charity sector, what personal hurdles have you had to face?
Henrietta MacEwen: Being heard. When your gut tells you something, trust it. I know this constant outrage isn’t just coming from myself, but from those who might not be able to speak as loudly or as clearly as I can. As a leader within the sector it is my responsibility to give a voice to those who aren’t often heard and to not be afraid of being disliked along the way. Be passionate about what you believe in and do not be afraid to stand alone.
Fair Play Talks: What advice would you give others who are wanting to start out in the charity sector?
Henrietta MacEwen: Keep shouting, keep going, keep talking, keep putting your ideas forward. Keep pushing, keep challenging, keep asking questions. Communication is key.
Fair Play Talks: Finally, how can people find out more about you and the initiative?
Henrietta MacEwen: Please visit our website and our Instagram page: @changepleasefoundation.
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