Driving for Change, which uses refurbished London buses to provide an all-in-one direct intervention service for people experiencing homelessness, has been named Primary Care Project of the Year at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2023.
Change Please Foundation/Driving for Change has partnered with ELFT and the North East London Health & Care Partnership (NELHCP) for the ground-breaking initiative in Hackney which offers mobile, informal, welcoming and open access for some of the most vulnerable members of society.
The bus programme offers free GP consultations, dental care, haircuts, and financial literacy training, employment support, shower facilities, therapy assessments, and essential everyday items.
The aim is to give people experiencing homelessness practical support and to help open pathways to potentially life-saving key services.
ELFT nurse practitioner Thembi Mpofu also joins the bus team in Hackney to provide healthcare support and to link clients to the Trust’s Greenhouse Practice in the borough, which provides care for people experiencing homelessness.
“This incredible service, the first of its kind in the country, is making a fundamental different to the communities we serve,” said Dr Mohit Venkataram, the Trust’s Director of Commercial Development.
“The Driving for Change team really listened to the needs of their clients and then thought outside the box to design a service that meets those needs.”
He added: “I am incredibly proud of everyone involved in this programme of genuine partnership.”
Cemal Ezel, Founder and CEO of Change Please, said ‘We are thrilled with this prestigious national award. The Driving for Change project enables us to reach those in need throughout London.
“At Change Please we believe in sustainable approaches to ending homelessness and Driving for Change gives the most vulnerable people the opportunity to access crucial services which can guide and support them in changing their lives long-term.”
Henrietta MacEwen, Head of Partnerships, Driving for Change added, ‘Our partnership with ELFT and the North East London Health & Care Partnership (NELHCP) makes sure that Driving for Change can deliver the best possible primary care service to those in need.
“We would not be able to do the work we do without them. Partnerships and collaboration are the way forward for making a sustainable change for the homeless.”
The HSJ Partnership Awards celebrate the crucial contributions of the private and third sector in strengthening the UK’s healthcare system.
The awards were held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Evolution London.
