These are the heartwarming stories of how Harrogate's homeless have been helped by contactless donation scheme

Harrogate Street Aid became the first scheme of its kind in Yorkshire when it launched last year to collect donations for beggars and rough sleepers using a contactless payment terminal in the town centre.

Kind-hearted donators have since raised more than £5,300 - with the cash being used to help homeless people get off the streets through things such as training courses, gym memberships and work equipment.

So much is the success of the scheme that the tap terminal in the window of Marks and Spencer on Oxford Street is to become permanent - plus there are plans to roll out more.

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And to further highlight the project's success, Harrogate Borough Council - which worked with North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Homeless Project to think up the scheme - has now shared touching stories of exactly how it has thrown a vital lifeline to the town's less fortunate.

Adam - not his real name - has a history of homelessness and rough sleeping in Harrogate. He has been described as a kind and approachable person, and has ongoing issues with addiction and mental health.

Adam is also a proud person and reluctant to ask for support – it takes him time to trust someone.

His hopes of getting back into work were completely dashed when he was mugged on the streets and had his driving licence stolen last year.

But through Harrogate Street Aid, Adam was awarded a £350 grant to get his replacement driving licence and take a refresher forklift truck course to kick-start his journey back into work.

And he now has hopes to secure permanent accommodation with help from the council.

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Ben - also not his real name - is currently homeless. He has a history of breaking into shops and substance misuse.

Working with North Yorkshire Horizons in a drug treatment programme, Ben identified how boredom triggered his habits.

He told probation officers being able to access the local leisure centre would create distractions for him, help him cope with his emotions and get in a healthy routine away from the streets.

So, Street Aid awarded Ben a £500 grant for a leisure centre membership, training sessions and a voucher for equipment and clothing.

Ben is now also looking to secure permanent accommodation and the council are helping with this.

Horizon's lead practitioner James Royal said: "We at North Yorkshire Horizons can really see the benefit of this grant. They have looked at what our client needs and responded very thoughtfully and practically.

"This investment in him as a person, has given him a purpose and direction again."

Carl, Dave and Amy - not their real names - have been supported by Harrogate Homeless Project for some time and have received help applying for grants.

Carl has a strong connection with the Harrogate district, having lived here for several years and been born here, however, his family lives 200 miles away.

He is able to stay in touch with them using a tablet and internet connection purchased through Street Aid grants.

Carl says this has helped with his mental stability by enabling him to keep track of his Universal Credit, search for jobs and of course, keep in contact with his loved ones.

Dave and Amy require tablets for similar reasons to Carl. Both are moving into self-contained flats and risk similar isolation and connectivity issues.

Tablets and internet access also mean that they can continue to maintain their Universal Credit accounts and avoid sanctions which may put them at further risk.

This was particularly important for them when the job centre and libraries closed during lockdown, leaving them with very limited access to computers.

Harrogate Street Aid awarded a grant of £300 for three tablets and sim cards to Carl, Dave and Amy.

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Liz Hancock, chief executive of Harrogate Homeless Project, said: "We are really pleased that Harrogate Street Aid has been able to support our clients in this way, the grant has enabled us to provide a very practical means of supporting them in achieving the stability and progress needed towards long term resettlement and a life away from the streets.

"The scheme creates an effective and meaningful use of donations from the public to make changes to people’s lives, based on their individual particular needs."

Councillor Mike Chambers, the council's cabinet member for housing and safer communities, added: “I’m delighted the Harrogate Street Aid project has been successful in its pilot year and has been extended to help tackle the challenging and delicate issue of homelessness.

“The money donated, simply by tapping at the payment terminal, has allowed a number of vulnerable people to apply for grants to help them get off and hopefully stay off the streets.

“This clearly shows it is helping people turn a corner and by extending the scheme we’ll be able to help others in the future.”

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter