Commuters at London Bridge can now get their daily caffeine fix from a charity that helps the homeless.

The founder, Cemal Ezels’ message is, “If we can just get a small proportion of coffee drinkers to simply change where they buy their coffee, we could really change the world.”

The non-profit organisation, ‘Change Please’, helps raise money to reduce homelessness through selling coffee at stalls in Borough market.

“It tastes really good and feels even better knowing it’s going to help”, Jenny Chandler, visiting Borough market from America, said about her hot chocolate. She added, “Normally I’d just get my coffee from the big buck companies, but this place makes you think more.”

With two busy stalls in Borough market and one on Thomas Street, the charity puts the money spent on warm drinks towards helping the homeless through jobs and opportunities. They have also announced a Christmas hamper that can be bought as a gift for the coffee lover friend, colleague or family member.

One barista in Borough market, George Dunn, said, “We are currently only based in London but there have been talks of expanding to areas like Nottingham and Manchester. You can buy the bags of coffee all around though.”  

Sainsbury’s began selling the coffee blend in 2017 across 375 stores with a percentage of proceeds going to baristas who have experienced homelessness.

Dunn added, “I think there’s two stands dotted across Borough market at the moment- we’re in collaboration with them. This one is fairly new; it’s only been here for about three months, but the actual company has been going since 2015.”

The average Londoner treats themselves to two coffees per day with this demand creating over 100,000 jobs.

‘Change Please’ provides training and jobs for some of the 8,855 people recorded rough sleepers according to the Combined Homelessness and Information Network. In the last year from 2018-19, there has been an 18% rise in rough sleeping- a record high.

84 people were employed and in housing in January 2019 through the help of the ‘Change Please’ team.  

It’s not just supermarket companies such as Sainsbury’s that have been interested.

The organisation based on the Big Issue model received funding from a Virgin start-up loan. Billionaire businessman Richard Branson works closely with the project, with the treats being sold on Virgin trains and Virgin Atlantic flights.

The social enterprise also keeps up with the trends, offering vegan options of plant-based milk. Along with tackling homelessness in London, the solar-powered coffee carts provide an eco-friendly alternative to the likes of Costa and Starbucks. Every single cup bought is completely recyclable too.   

There is also a Piaggio van in London Bridge just opposite the £435 million pound Shard skyscraper where Marian who has his own Ethiopian coffee blend is a familiar face.

Marian Ebutt said that “The chance has got me and my wife off the streets for good.”   

A partnership with Centrepoint means ‘Change Please’ will be training more young people who face homelessness- getting 18-25-year-old young people off the streets and into work.

All employees are paid the London living wage of £10.55 per hour helping them to save and afford the essentials.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan who supports ‘Change Please’ is working towards ending homelessness in the capital, allocating £19.2 million to boost services this year. The figure is double the amount spent on tackling homelessness when Khan became London Mayor in 2016.

London Bridge is within the Southwark council who offers services as part of the Homeless Reduction Act and works with Homeless Outreach staff. Despite these figures of those faced with homelessness is at a record high.