A NEW scheme which makes helping those facing homelessness in Reading launched last year has been extended for at least another three years, Reading Borough Council has announced.
The Tap for Reading initiative provides residents and visitors with a safe and effective way to donate to people who sleeping rough in the town.
Set up by the council with Reading’s Business Improvement District, it encourages residents and visitors to support people experiencing homelessness through donations made online or at a number of contactless points around the town.
It has already raised over £7,400 for four commissioned charities within Reading’s Homelessness Partnership, consisting of Launchpad Reading, The Salvation Army, St Mungo’s and YMCA Reading.
It is estimated to have directly benefited over 50 individuals by providing essential household items, white goods and basic furnishings for people moving into, or sustaining, accommodation.
The funds have also supported day-to-day living with other essentials like clothing, food, specialist courses, access to employment, travel to appointments, and ID support to open bank accounts and register with doctors and dentists.
After scheme partners gave feedback that the initiative had been very successful, the council has announced the renewal of the scheme, it is now planned to continue until at leas 2029.
Tapping a donation at selected points across the town ensures 100% of the money goes to the Council’s homelessness charity partners who in turn ensure funds are used to provide direct support to Reading’s homeless population. Not a single penny of residents’ donations will go on the scheme’s administration fees or merchant service charges.
Matt Yeo, Lead Councillor for Housing, said: “Tap for Reading is a really innovative way to give residents the opportunity to give to those most in need, without worrying about aggressive begging or what that money may be spent on.
“By providing residents with tap points, and an online portal to donate, we are discouraging begging on Reading’s streets and ensuring donations are being used in the best way possible and to help the right people.
“Our homelessness charity partners have used your donations to directly help over 50 people who really needed support so I’m delighted that this will continue with this extension.
“If you can, please tap for Reading or donate online as this is the most effective way to help those most in need.”
Tap points can be found at locations including The Oracle, Broad Street Mall and Reading Station, and provide residents with an easy way to support people experiencing homelessness, through trusted local organisations.
Full details, including the locations for all donation points, more information on how the money will be spent, and how to donate online, can be found via: reading.gov.uk/tapforreading
