Contactless donation scheme to help Harrogate's homeless is extended after trail run success

The Street Aid scheme became the first of its kind in Yorkshire when it was launched last year by the borough council, police and Harrogate Homeless Project.

It has raised more than £5,300 – with the homeless and rough sleepers able to apply for grants of up to £500 for help getting off the street.

Cash is not given directly to the individuals but is made available for things like training courses, gym memberships and work equipment.

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Coun Mike Chambers, the council’s cabinet member for housing and safer communities, said: “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.”

The scheme was introduced after the number of people begging in Harrogate town centre increased and residents became concerned, the council said.

It was based on schemes running in Cambridge and Norwich which saw similar problems on the streets.

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Donations are made via debit or credit cards being tapped on the terminal in the window of Marks and Spencer on Oxford Street.

Each tap gives £3 and police inspector Penny Taylor previously said the scheme had led to a reduction in begging issues.

Coun Chambers said the extension of initiative shows “it is helping people turn a corner” and said he hoped more terminals would be installed in the region.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter