A new currency has arrived in Swansea, aimed at making it easier for members of the public to support people who are homeless, as well as making it easier for people who are homeless to access any support they may need. The 'BillyChip', created in memory of Billy Abernethy-Hope, a 20-year-old ambulance driver who died in 2018, aims to "encourage generosity among those who don't carry cash or those reluctant to give money to people experiencing homelessness," reports The Big Issue.
Sometimes when people give cash to people who are homeless, they would prefer their money to be spent on essential items like food, toiletries or towards entry to sheltered accommodation. By giving someone a BillyChip, it can be spent specificallly on necessities like food or a hot drink in certain locations in the city.
But buying a BillyChip "goes beyond just a free hot drink for our rough sleepers," the founders say. It's also a way to give people who are homeless "choice, hope and a sense of community". You can get the biggest Swansea news stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
A statement from BillyChip explains: "Swansea is the first city in Wales to partner with the BillyChip® scheme. The scheme allows members of the public to purchase a BillyChip token from participating food and drink outlets, which can then be given to rough sleepers and homeless people as an alternative to cash. They can then redeem the BillyChip for food, drink and other products."
In Swansea, people can now purchase a BillyChip from four city-centre locations: Coffi Glas, Social Dice, Jack's Kitchen and Matthew's House - and more businesses are expected to sign-up to the scheme in the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for Matthew's House, which offers support and facilities for people who are homeless and/or vulnerable in Swansea, said: "We love to be able to support people who need us in Swansea, and we recognise that Billy Chip is a way that the public can reach out to those struggling around them too. People can be directed to Matthew's House so that we can do our best to help them through their difficult moments."
Operations manager of Swansea BID, which has helped establish BillyChip in Swansea, Andrew Douglas said: "For Swansea to be the first Welsh city that BillyChip has been introduced to, not only shows the effort the BID team put into empowering the homeless and rough sleepers of our city but also shows we believe in the generosity and friendliness of the general public.
"I'm looking forward to seeing more BID businesses sign up to the scheme, and for BillyChip to positively inspire engagement between the public, businesses that are signed up and the homeless."
Co-founder of BillyChip®, Meg Abernethy-Hope says she's extremely proud of the charity's presence in Swansea. "I am super excited that BillyChip® will be launching in Swansea town centre. As the first place in Wales to welcome the scheme, it shows the kindness and compassion of the community and their determination to support everyone who resides in the town," she said.
"We can't wait to see how the scheme will flourish with the support of residents and those visiting Swansea. It is imperative that we look after each and every person, no matter their hardships and the BillyChip is a wonderful way to keep reminding one another just how easy it is to be kind when we have the tools. I think Billy would be so proud!"
If you own or manage a business in Swansea city centre and you'd like to get involved in the BillyChip scheme, contact the Swansea BID team: info@swanseabid.co.uk
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