Would You Buy Coffee From A Homeless Person?
We were up and about in London this weekend and paid Borough Market a visit. Considered as London’s oldest market, this place is crammed with stalls selling food, fresh produce and almost anything in between (not to mention a lot of cheeeeeese...a lot). The best way to explore the area is by simply walking around. Top tip is just follow the aroma of anything that smells enticing and you will soon find your bearings. Tried and tested that approach and I ended up discovering a humble coffee stall called Change Please. The name is very catchy and left me thinking they probably don’t accept card or contactless payment (good thing I had cash. RARE). Spotting this coffee cart was a definite antidote to my annoyance at how absolutely rammo Borough Market is on a Saturday.
good coffee, doing good
Change Please - a phrase often used by beggars - is a social enterprise with a mission on helping homeless people by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become baristas. Founded by Cemel Ezel, (also the co-founder of Old Spike Roastery) in partnership with the The Big Issue magazine, the scheme focuses on recruiting staff from local homeless shelters then provides the aforementioned training and tools they need to run their own coffee cart. They also ensure staff are paid the London living wage and offer support for housing and mental health issues.
My coffee was made by a friendly and welcoming barista, not bothered by the queue and somewhat chaotic atmosphere of Borough Market (on a Saturday). They served their ‘Adventurous blend’ -- combination of beans ethically-sourced from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Sumatra and East Africa. I ordered a flat white from the range of beverages they offer. My first impression was that it is good coffee; full-bodied just the way I like it. It was a delicious cup for £2.50 and will definitely give you that warm fuzzy feeling from knowing you are supporting such a good cause.
Good news! You can also pick up their coffee blends at Sainsbury’s, saving you the trip to Borough Market (again, on a Saturday) and the claustrophobia that comes with it.
Each packet of speciality-graded coffee comes with faces and stories of people who were helped by this not-for-profit organisation. Whilst I haven’t tried any of these beans (yet), I’m particularly interested in buying Lucy’s blend that offers a milk chocolate finish with hints of buttery vanilla, hazelnut and caramel (mouthwatering). For £4.50 per bag of beans (200g), you’ll be pleased to know that 100% of the profits made from every packet you purchase will go back into providing formerly homeless people with housing, London Living wage, job opportunities and training!
Remember to buy the freshest beans possible, looking for “roasted on” dates rather than expiry dates. That way you will ensure the beans are still brimmed full of their lovely oils for you to extract via your preferred brewing methods.
So if you happen to visit Sainsbury’s or Borough Market and you get that altruistic urge to change lives one coffee at a time, you know what to do. Of course I only kid regarding my umbrage towards the crowded nature of Borough Market. It is to be expected and being small I can zip through the crowds easily. WIN!
Carts are dotted around the capital and can be found in locations such as London Bridge, Canary Wharf and St Pauls with new sites in Loughborough Junction, Regents Place and Truman Brewery)
P.S. they accept card and contactless payment! Xx
Borough Market
Opening times
Monday & Tuesday: 10am - 5pm (Limited Market)
Wednesday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm (Full Market)
Sunday: Market closed
Change Please Coffee (Borough Market)
Opening times
Monday - Friday: 7am - 5pm
Price: £2.50
