David Lloyd Clubs, Europe’s leading health, fitness and wellness group, has officially launched an innovative new ‘Driving for Change’ bus in partnership with social enterprise Change Please. The specially converted double-decker bus is set to offer a lifeline to people experiencing homelessness across London, bringing vital services to those in need.

The bus, which has been transformed over the past six months, is more than just a vehicle, providing a safe space filled with dignity, opportunity, and hope for those experiencing homelessness. On board, service users can access healthcare checks, dental support, hairdressing facilities and financial advice. Uniquely, the bus also includes a dedicated wellness area, created with the support of David Lloyd Clubs, where visitors can relax and take part in mindfulness activities, offering a rare moment of calm in otherwise difficult circumstances.

By meeting people where they are and creating a safe, supportive environment, the bus helps to build trust and opens up pathways towards training, employment and independent living.

The launch event, held this week at David Lloyd Clubs in Purley, saw senior stakeholders from both organisations celebrate the unveiling of the bus, marking a milestone in the five-year partnership between David Lloyd Clubs and Change Please. Since February 2020, the collaboration has gone far beyond serving Change Please coffee to David Lloyd Clubs members. Together, the organisations have:

Raised and invested over £4.5 million into tackling homelessness.
Trained 65 graduates through Change Please programmes.
Helped more than 230 people into jobs and housing.
Created 10 barista roles for Change Please graduates this year in David Lloyd Clubs.
Volunteered hundreds of hours running wellbeing workshops and mentoring programmes.

Russell Barnes, CEO of David Lloyd Clubs, said:
“We’re proud to have been in partnership with Change Please for the past five years, and our relationship continues to go from strength to strength. Over this time, we’ve seen how every cup of their award-winning coffee served in our Clubs helps change lives funding training, jobs, and housing for those experiencing homelessness. We are also proud to employ graduates from their training programme, giving them the opportunity to build lasting careers. This is a very special milestone as we launch the David Lloyd Clubs’ ‘Driving for Change’ bus. This mobile outreach project, six months in the making, will bring vital services directly to people who need them most across London. We are thrilled to play a part in making this happen.”