Donate contactless with Tap London
Have you heard of Tap London? It's a new way to donate £3 to homeless initiatives by tapping a contactless payment card.
What is the “Tap London” campaign? To help make it easier for Londoners to support homeless initiatives, City Hall has installed ‘Tap London’ devices across the city where you can donate £3 by tapping your contactless payment card or contactless payment device
.
You might see these ‘Tap London’ points dotted around the capital, see the map of locations here, and can tap your card or contactless device as often as you like
What do you think of this way of donating, and had you heard of this before? Is this a good or bad innovation to support rough sleepers? Would you use Tap London if you saw such a device? Why or why not?
Summary
Thanks everyone for joining in this discussion. We have shared your feedback with our colleagues in the Housing Team.
The Tap London donation points have raised over £64.000 so far. We'll keep you updated on the next steps.
Talk London
The discussion ran from 28 November 2018 - 28 February 2019
Closed
Want to join our next discussion?
New here? Join Talk London, City Hall's online community where you can have your say on London's biggest issues.
Join Talk LondonAlready have an account?
Log into your accountalggomas
Community Member 6 years agoI'm sorry but this is sticking plaster on an arterial wound.
When will the government realise they have to build university type rooms for homeless people WITH support. As soon as they get a job. Even working in the block they begin...
Show full commentI'm sorry but this is sticking plaster on an arterial wound.
When will the government realise they have to build university type rooms for homeless people WITH support. As soon as they get a job. Even working in the block they begin paying rent.
Every year it is the same:
A dog is Not just for Christmas.
So homeless help is not just for Christmas.
Increase by 1% for 20% tax payers. Do not invest too much in driverless cars. Invest in people. The MP's don't want to increase taxes.....they and wealthy people were given a 5% tax cut a few years ago whilst this government were slicing and dicing wages and applying cut backs to the emergency services.
How can less emergency people cater for more people entering and living in London?
Show less of commentBlue-Sky
Community Member 6 years agoMore information on the fund will be used is needed.
Fundamental actions to build new housing faster are necessary. Not sure if the £4.8bn Sidiq Khan has secured from the government to build 116,000 affordable homes in 4 years is enough...
Show full commentMore information on the fund will be used is needed.
Fundamental actions to build new housing faster are necessary. Not sure if the £4.8bn Sidiq Khan has secured from the government to build 116,000 affordable homes in 4 years is enough. Many so called affordable homes are still expensive for many people.
The policy of selling council houses should stop. According to some estimates they have to sell 3 to 4 flats to build 1 new flat. This is a policy devised to dismantle social housing.
There should be more regulation on limiting rent rises, capping it and bringing rents back into the reach of ordinary people.
alggomas
Community Member 6 years agoMany people will never be able to own their own home.
So council houses is the way forward with reasonable rental. Private renting is too expensive.
" affordable homes" in London?
Big joke.
On your way to Wood Green via A406 and you see...
Show full commentMany people will never be able to own their own home.
So council houses is the way forward with reasonable rental. Private renting is too expensive.
" affordable homes" in London?
Big joke.
On your way to Wood Green via A406 and you see Luxury flats being built.
The Government need to change policy or the people should take action. Whining will not help.
Show less of commentUggsie
Community Member 6 years agoExcellent idea. So many people don't carry cash nowadays. I'll be using it.
Show full commentExcellent idea. So many people don't carry cash nowadays. I'll be using it.
Show less of commentBreLondon
Community Member 6 years agoSeems a great idea, but might be better to have some different amounts, such as £1 as well as the £3 and even higher.
Show full commentSeems a great idea, but might be better to have some different amounts, such as £1 as well as the £3 and even higher.
Show less of commentLynnH
Community Member 6 years agothink it is a great idea, it's not too much, it's easy to do quickly while travelling and isn't too demanding, just a bit worried about te usual tap problems, i never use contactless ever
Show full commentthink it is a great idea, it's not too much, it's easy to do quickly while travelling and isn't too demanding, just a bit worried about te usual tap problems, i never use contactless ever
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoYesterday I was briefly in Richmond town centre and three times I got asked for money. I was waiting to cross the road when a man in a doorway started calling out asking me to buy him a sandwich in Tesco. Then I was approached by a lady...
Show full commentYesterday I was briefly in Richmond town centre and three times I got asked for money. I was waiting to cross the road when a man in a doorway started calling out asking me to buy him a sandwich in Tesco. Then I was approached by a lady who gave me a cock-and-bull story about needing £3.75 for a jerry can. Finally, I was waiting for the bus when I was approached by a man asking for money for a sandwich. While in Richmond, I observed duvets and sleeping bags all over the town centre. People were settling down in doorways for the night. It's really bad in Richmond at the moment. I already make direct debit donations to several homeless charities and I cannot afford to give endless amounts of money to charities. They already send me endless letters in the post and I do fire off the odd cheque in return. However, I am not convinced that improving the income of homeless charities is the answer to a crisis I suspect has far more to do with policies at the local council.
Show less of commentBlue-Sky
Community Member 6 years agoGreat Idea; unfortunate that the central government has cut so much of budgets including London streets so that councils and the Mayor cannot do more on their own.
Just careful that you do not inadvertently charge elder people with freedom...
Show full commentGreat Idea; unfortunate that the central government has cut so much of budgets including London streets so that councils and the Mayor cannot do more on their own.
Just careful that you do not inadvertently charge elder people with freedom-pass many of whom are living on basic incomes and are themeselves on the verge.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoNot heard of it before. Rather than donating to homeless initiatives, I would want government to come up with a way to stop these people becoming homeless in the first place.
Lovaduck
Community Member 6 years agoI think this is a good thing to try and it will be easy for people to donate. Personally I won’t use it because I would rather give in a way that allows the tax to be reclaimed, making the £3 worth £3.75 to the charity. It’s a shame there’s...
Show full commentI think this is a good thing to try and it will be easy for people to donate. Personally I won’t use it because I would rather give in a way that allows the tax to be reclaimed, making the £3 worth £3.75 to the charity. It’s a shame there’s no way to make this easier.
Show less of commentCityBeekeeper
Community Member 6 years agoMaybe a phone app could allow that.
Maybe a phone app could allow that.
Talk London
Official Representative 6 years agoHi Lovaduck
All donations made to this campaign - via Tap London or Gofundme- are Gift Aid-able. With Tap London, Gift Aid is claimed by Tap’s charitable foundation using Swiftaid, with the full amount then donated to the London Homeless Charities Group (LHCG). More details at swiftaid.co.uk.
We hope this helps.
Talk London
Anonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoYou are so right to make things easy, and such a nominal amount. This is a heartrending issue and it's so important to make it possible and practical to help.
Show full commentYou are so right to make things easy, and such a nominal amount. This is a heartrending issue and it's so important to make it possible and practical to help.
Show less of commentLady Dy
Community Member 6 years agoI have never heard of this but think it is a good idea and would definitly use it.
Show full commentI have never heard of this but think it is a good idea and would definitly use it.
Show less of commentLady Dy
Community Member 6 years agoSorry, spelling mistake - definitely!
Show full commentSorry, spelling mistake - definitely!
Show less of commentPeterClaydon
Community Member 6 years agoIt generally is a good idea. I think the problem with anything like this is that you don't know what the money will be used for. If you give to an individual, you know that it stands a chance of helping them in some way. What would be good...
Show full commentIt generally is a good idea. I think the problem with anything like this is that you don't know what the money will be used for. If you give to an individual, you know that it stands a chance of helping them in some way. What would be good (but I understand there are lots of issues) is if individual homeless people could have a machine that you could use to give money to them and then they could spend this in a selection of shops and other facilities that supported the scheme. I will use it if I see one.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years ago1 where does the £3 go - how much to the collection service, how much to administration. What happens to the rest
2 why have we still got homeless people? Many become homeless due to misfortune but why hasnt the Mayor set up adequate...
Show full comment1 where does the £3 go - how much to the collection service, how much to administration. What happens to the rest
2 why have we still got homeless people? Many become homeless due to misfortune but why hasnt the Mayor set up adequate emergency housing?
3 how does this fit into his long term strategy and indeed what is his long term strategy
4 how and when does he promise to update us all on how much has been raised, at what cost, and what difference it has made?
Show less of commentLondongirl72
Community Member 6 years agoBrilliant idea, very good indeed. However if there were some points close to Oxford Street or Regent Street, it would be more beneficial. The nearest I can see is the Curzon Solo.
Show full commentBrilliant idea, very good indeed. However if there were some points close to Oxford Street or Regent Street, it would be more beneficial. The nearest I can see is the Curzon Solo.
Show less of commentTalk London
Official Representative 6 years agoHi Londongirl72
Thanks for sharing your views. There will be a lot more Tap London points popping up soon, please keep an eye on the map. There's another way to donate as well. All money donated through this campaign will go direct to a coalition of 22 long-established homelessness charities - the London Homeless Charities Group – which between them help thousands of people each year.
We hope this helps.
Talk London
snowball
Community Member 6 years agoSorry but there is no way I am getting my contactless card out in the street- it would mean opening my handbag and credit card holder and I would feel very uncomfortable and quite frankly scared to do it- I will not even use street...
Show full commentSorry but there is no way I am getting my contactless card out in the street- it would mean opening my handbag and credit card holder and I would feel very uncomfortable and quite frankly scared to do it- I will not even use street situated ATMs
Show less of commentdlarkins
Community Member 6 years agoNot sure if this is an answer. How much money does it cost to support the service and how is it distributed?
It is very difficult not to give to a homeless person who is begging on the street, tube or train when you see them.
Show full commentNot sure if this is an answer. How much money does it cost to support the service and how is it distributed?
It is very difficult not to give to a homeless person who is begging on the street, tube or train when you see them.
Show less of commentTalk London
Official Representative 6 years agoHi there
Thanks for sharing your views. The money raised is split equally between 22 registered charities, and the charities must use the money on services to help rough sleepers or those at risk of rough sleeping in London. All fees involved in running the units and processing the donations have been covered by the Mayor and other funders, so 100% of money donated via the Tap London units for this campaign will go to the charities. You can find out how the charities who benefitted last year spent their donations on this page.
We hope this helps.
Talk London
rfremantle
Community Member 6 years agoI agree with Simonfiona although homelessness is no a genre of charities which I support.
Show full commentI agree with Simonfiona although homelessness is no a genre of charities which I support.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoIntroduce rent capping and tighten up tenants' rights so people won't be made homeless in the first place
Show full commentIntroduce rent capping and tighten up tenants' rights so people won't be made homeless in the first place
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoTotally agree! The government has crowed endlessly about banning letting agents' fees, but I still have to pay £60 for the privilege of changing the date on my tenancy agreement. They tried to charge me £150 and I had to haggle with them...
Show full commentTotally agree! The government has crowed endlessly about banning letting agents' fees, but I still have to pay £60 for the privilege of changing the date on my tenancy agreement. They tried to charge me £150 and I had to haggle with them to get it reduced to £60. How on earth are people supposed to afford these exorbitant fees? No wonder they end up sleeping on the street!
Also, people with unpredictable incomes or with some help from the benefit system get locked out of the rental market. Councils don't help either, unless you have a child. So there is no alternative to sleeping rough. The government ought to do something about this form of discrimination. They have no qualms about addressing all sorts of other equality issues.
Show less of commentjohnvgoodman
Community Member 6 years agoAn advertised mobile phone text number debiting the subscribers' account with £3 would be appropriate; just like the Children in Need donation method. As someone else has said " so long as the money raised goes towards permanent...
Show full commentAn advertised mobile phone text number debiting the subscribers' account with £3 would be appropriate; just like the Children in Need donation method. As someone else has said " so long as the money raised goes towards permanent accommodation to negate the need for those affected to go back on the streets. The possibility of homeless people migrating to London to benefit from this initiative is also worthy of consideration."
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoAbsolutely! Just wait for word to get back to Romania that you can get PERMANENT accommodation in London just by spending a few nights sleeping on the street!
Show full commentAbsolutely! Just wait for word to get back to Romania that you can get PERMANENT accommodation in London just by spending a few nights sleeping on the street!
Show less of commentCityBeekeeper
Community Member 6 years agoIn reply to Alison: Maybe money going to Romania helps to educate children, maybe not. Anyway, most of the ones that I see are British.
Show full commentIn reply to Alison: Maybe money going to Romania helps to educate children, maybe not. Anyway, most of the ones that I see are British.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 6 years agoIf I saw one of these devices, I would definitely give using a contactless card. Homelessness is a serious problem in London and we need to tackle it. More funds are needed for mental health teams, so that the police don't have to deal with...
Show full commentIf I saw one of these devices, I would definitely give using a contactless card. Homelessness is a serious problem in London and we need to tackle it. More funds are needed for mental health teams, so that the police don't have to deal with alcolholics and mental health patients of all sorts.
Show less of comment