# Contactless donation points launch in Bristol to help tackle homelessness

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/09/25/contactless-donation-points-launch-in-bristol-to-help-tackle-homelessness/
- Published: 2019-09-25T08:00:16+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**A contactless donation system to raise money for homelessness prevention services
as well as directly supporting people who are currently homeless has launched in
Bristol this week.**

[TAP for Bristol](https://www.tapforbristol.org) is delivered by Bristol City Centre
Business Improvement District ([BID](https://bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk/)) in partnership
with [Caring in Bristol](https://caringinbristol.co.uk) and [Quartet Community Foundation](https://quartetcf.org.uk).

The first TAP for Bristol points, where people can tap their contactless credit 
or debit card to donate £3, have opened in shop windows and on hand-held devices
in central Bristol. Current locations include 25/27 College Green, Waitrose on Queens
Road and the café/bar at Bambalan at Colston Tower.

## Advertisement

In addition, TAP points are being installed in business premises to allow employees
and visitors to ‘TAP for Bristol’. The first to go live will be at Lloyds Banking
Group’s headquarters at the Lloyds Amphitheatre and the Spectrum building on Bond
Street.

All money donated through TAP for Bristol is being managed, monitored and evaluated
by Quartet Community Foundation. Donations will be divided equally between Quartet
and Caring in Bristol.

Caring in Bristol will use the funds to deliver new homeless prevention and early
intervention support services to people who are vulnerable to homelessness. This
will include a new group of trained volunteers working in partnership with local
debt and housing advice agencies to give additional, timely support to those at 
risk of becoming street homeless.

[⌊Tap for Bristol⌉⌊Tap for Bristol⌉[

_Photo: BID Bristol TAP by Jon Craig Photos_

Local charities, organisations and community groups will be [invited to apply](https://quartetcf.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/)
to Quartet Community Foundation on behalf of named individuals to support them into
a safer and more stable life away from the streets.

A single ‘TAP for Bristol’ donates £3 and supports someone attending a job interview.
Two TAPS help fund a one to one session with a support worker for a young person
facing homelessness and three TAPS can fund a prevention worker navigating someone
away from crisis, or fund an emergency deposit for a room.

The Bristol City Centre BID team is actively looking to install further TAP for 
Bristol donation points in prominent places with high footfall and are asking businesses
and organisations to get in touch if they are interested in hosting one, including
owners of vacant properties. TAP for Bristol donation points will be installed free
of charge within the BID area.

More units are expected to be added across the city centre over the following weeks,
with one on Park Street shortly being installed in premises owned by Bristol developer
Urban Creation.

Keith Rundle, Operations Director at Bristol City Centre BID said:

> “TAP for Bristol is a new, quick and easy way to help people experiencing homelessness
> on the street, or who are at risk of becoming homeless. It’s unique in the UK 
> as the only contactless donation system to support homelessness prevention work,
> as well as funding direct support to individuals.
> “The scheme will supplement 
> the wealth of great work already happening in Bristol to tackle homelessness, 
> which is a major concern to our members.”

Ben Richardson, Director of Caring in Bristol, added:

> “Homelessness needs more than an emergency approach. We want Bristol to lead the
> way in ensuring people never have to sleep rough in the first place. Money raised
> through the new TAP for Bristol initiative will help us to deliver vital services
> to support people who may be at risk of homelessness, to enable them to stay in
> their homes or find alternative accommodation and to seek wider opportunities 
> such as training or employment.”
>  

 * **[TAP for Bristol raises over £30,000 in one year](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/10/16/tap-for-bristol-raises-over-30k-year-one-contactless-donations/)(
   16 October 2020)**
 * **[TAP for Bristol reaches 20 contactless donation points](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/12/19/tap-for-bristol-reaches-20-contactless-donation-points/)(
   19 December 2019)**

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