Tap for Reading extended to boost donations supporting people experiencing homelessness

The innovative Tap for Reading initiative launched last year has been extended for at least another three years. The pilot has provided residents and visitors with a safe and effective way to donate to people who are, or have been, rough sleeping in the town

The scheme, set up by the Council and Reading’s Business Improvement District, 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 – Launchpad Reading, The Salvation Army, St Mungo’s and YMCA Reading – and is estimated to have directly benefited over 50 individuals.

Donations have helped provide essential household items, white goods and basic furnishings for people moving into, or sustaining, accommodation. Funds have also supported day-to-day living via essential items such as clothing, food, specialist courses, access to employment, travel to appointments and ID support to open bank accounts and register with doctors and dentists.

Feedback from partner charities whose clients have benefitted from donated funds demonstrates a hugely positive impact, both in terms of reach and outcomes by helping people rebuild and improve their lives.

Reading’s Business Improvement District and Reading Council are now extending the scheme until 2029, subject to annual review, to ensure it continues to meet the needs of partners and residents. Opportunities will be explored to allocate donations to non-commissioned organisations that support people experiencing rough sleeping and housing insecurity, including determining a fair and transparent selection process. This will contribute to the delivery of the Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-31 which commits to supporting and strengthening partnerships and joint working with the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS).

The scheme complements the Council’s wider work to address aggressive begging and anti-social behaviour in the town centre, including measures introduced under the Public Spaces Protection Order, by offering an alternative to giving direct to people begging who may not be homeless.

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 at www.reading.gov.uk/tapforreading, 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. The locations for all donation points, more information on how the money will be spent and how to donate online if you can’t make it to a tap point, can be found at www.reading.gov.uk/tapforreading

As well as donating through tap points or online, residents who are concerned about someone sleeping rough can report it via www.thestreetlink.org.uk. Reports are sent straight to the Council’s commissioned rough sleeping outreach services who will offer support directly to those on the streets.