Words by Smiley Team
“Have you got any change, please?”
It's likely we’ve all heard a person experiencing homelessness ask us this question, only to realise that – yet again – we only have cards in our wallet.
What if there was a way to make giving easier?
Give2 is the brainchild of Carl Glynn, 48, from Oldham, and it will allow homeless individuals to receive money without cash, as well as allowing community groups and fundraising activities that predominantly rely on small change to receive money without cash.
Through an app and prepaid debit card – called: the Give2Card – a homeless individual will be able to receive money and also make purchases, all without cash. The card would be linked to a dashboard and an electronic wallet with safeguards in place so the recipients weren't able to exploit a situation, or be exploited themselves either.
The electronic wallet and dashboard will be administered by Renaissance: Oldham CIC to ensure that the safeguarding measures are still enforced.
“Like many others, as a family we rarely use physical cash, and instead pay by means of card or contactless through my phone,” explains Carl to Smiley News, when speaking about his inspiration for the idea.
“When my children have seen homeless individuals sat outside the supermarket, we've just shopped at and paid by card, they’ve asked if we have any spare change that we can give them.
“Whilst we always ask the homeless individual if there’s something specific they’d like before we go into the shop, a meal deal isn’t the same as receiving money that can go towards the hostel charge for the night for somewhere warm and safe to spend the night. This got me thinking that there must be some way of gifting money through an app.”
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Carl is hoping to raise £1,000 on Crowdfunder to test Give2 on a three-month pilot project with 10 homeless individuals.
“The potential impact of Give2 for homeless individuals could literally be lifesaving, as it will allow them to receive and spend money without using cash,” he says.
“This can go towards meals, toiletries, and hostel fees that are not always readily available through existing support measures. For community groups and fundraising activities, Give2 can be the lifeline they need in being able to raise money for their cause, as they often rely on a collection tin next to the till at local convenience stores and the donation of loose change from the transaction.”
The demise of cash is hitting the most vulnerable and excluded members of society the hardest, exacerbating their situation and creating barriers, adds Carl.
“Give2 has the potential to remove those barriers and to soften the impact of the reduction of reliance on cash to make transactions and receive money,” he says.
Donate to Carl's crowdfunding project and help him reach his goal of £1,000.
