Tap for Reading: tackling homelessness together

• 100% of your donation goes to charity
• donate easily via tap points around Reading or at bit.ly/TapforReading – opens in new window
• your donation gives vital, practical support to people who are, or have been, rough sleeping in Reading
• an alternative to giving direct to those begging, which isn’t always effective and doesn’t always help those most in need

What is Tap for Reading?

Tap for Reading is a new way for you to support those who are homeless and rough sleeping in Reading. By giving through tap points around Reading or our online donation site, your money is pooled and split between our four homelessness charity partners who work with those most in need. By using Tap for Reading instead of giving cash on the streets, you’re helping vulnerable people get targeted support provided by those charities.

Why should I Tap for Reading?

By donating via Tap for Reading you can be assured that your money will directly benefit someone who is sleeping rough, or who has been homeless, to move into supported or independent accommodation.

Isn’t it better to give direct to those begging?

We know how emotive it is being asked for money on the street by someone who appears to be homeless, but as you are unlikely to know what the individual’s true circumstances are, it is better to give through Tap for Reading for several reasons.

Firstly, not all people begging are homeless, many have access to accommodation – which means when you give to them, you’re not necessarily helping those most in need. In Reading, accommodation is offered to those in need without an upfront charge. This means that accommodation can be accessed by people who do not currently have an income, whilst they are supported to apply for benefits and employment. There are also a number of voluntary organisations that provide hot meals and refreshments throughout the week. Secondly, while giving money to someone who appears to be sleeping rough can feel immediately helpful in alleviating their hunger, or meeting their accommodation costs for that night, it does not break the cycle of homelessness.

The reasons for homelessness are complex, with trauma, addiction and relationship breakdowns usually contributing to why someone is rough sleeping. Access to specialist support to address these reasons is the best way to help someone move away from rough sleeping.

We are providing an alternative, more effective way that you can do your bit, allowing us to concentrate help on those most in need.

What should I do if approached by someone begging?

It can be hard to know what to do when approached by someone begging. Whilst it may seem like the kindest thing to do, it is okay to politely decline. Reading’s homelessness charity partners are working every day with those most in need, so by donating directly through Tap for Reading you will be supporting these services to provide practical support to individuals to help them move into suitable accommodation.

Where can I tap to donate?

We have a number of tap points in Reading where you can donate in seconds, allowing you to make a simple and secure donation of your choosing, using your contactless credit or debit card. These include at Reading Station, The Oracle and Broad Street Mall. The locations for all donation points are below:

• Reading Station (RG1 1LZ, what 3 words: tennis.robots.mosts)
• The Oracle shopping centre (by Pret A Manger. RG1 2AQ, what 3 words: TBC)
• Broad Street Mall (by lifts and info point. RG1 7QE, what 3 words: modes.steps.jumps)
• The Purple Turtle (9 Gun Street, RG1 2JR, what 3 words: pints.rental.occupy)
• Ebb & Flow (apartments foyer reception, 3 Friar Street, RG1 1HR, what 3 words: pines.thin.throw)

How does tapping for Reading help?

Reading Borough Council works in conjunction with homelessness charity partners to look after those most in need. All money raised is divided equally between these partners.

What am I contributing to?

Our homelessness charity partners provide those in need with essential help to improve their lives and situations. The money raised will be used to support people experiencing homelessness with services including buying clothing, photographic ID, a day’s bus pass to go to support appointments or for employment, basic kitchen items and even furniture when moving into a new home.

Which charities does Tap for Reading support?

All money raised through our Tap for Reading donation points will be split equally between our charity partners:

How much of my donation goes to charity?

Not a single penny of your donation goes on administration or merchant service charges. 100% of the money donated will go to the council’s homelessness charity partners. They will ensure that funds donated will be used for what is needed directly and precisely to help Reading’s homeless population.

How long will it be until my money makes a difference?

Every three months, all money collected through Reading’s tap points is distributed equally between our homelessness charity partners. We will share regular updates on the webpage on how the funding has been used and the number of people it has helped.

How else can I help?

If you are concerned that someone may be sleeping rough then please report it through Streetlink. StreetLink is a vital way to get quick, direct support to someone sleeping rough. It is simple to use and once you have submitted your report, alerts are sent to outreach teams who respond quickly by visiting the site to connect people sleeping rough to local support services. StreetLink also complements existing outreach work by alerting teams to people they haven’t seen before.