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A new bank account scheme from HSBC UK has been launched in Birmingham to help homeless people get back on their feet.

The 'no fixed address' bank account scheme allows people who are without a home or ID to get a bank account so they can access benefits.

The scheme had previously been launched in Liverpool and has now made its way to HSBC UK's New Street branch.

Homeless teen, known as Trinity, said joining the scheme has already changed her life in so many ways when other banks would have just told her 'no'.

The 17-year-old found herself sofa-surfing at her friends' houses after she left her home to escape an 'abusive environment.'

She said: "I heard about the scheme from my progression coach. We didn't know if it was going to be a definite but we found out it was available at the branch in Birmingham so we had to find a way to get me here.

(Image: Kirsty Card//Birmingham Live)

"We got the train and every thing was sorted in 20 minutes. It was so fast that it didn't sink in until after that I could finally get my universal credit sorted out.

"I've now been able to get supported accommodation which I'm aiming to get out of before I turn 18 in April. I've also been able to start studying floristry at college .

"The college have been so supportive and I get a £30 bursary for essentials from them. I wouldn't have been able to get that without a bank account."

She sought out support from St Basils, a charity that aims to end youth homelessness, which set her up with the progression coach that led her to the scheme.

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

The charity is one of the three partner organisations working with HSBC UK along with Shelter and Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid (BSWA).

The bank said it is willing to partner with other organisations as the scheme grows.

Trinity left her home without a bank account as family members told her she didn't need to set one up when she was living there.

To representatives from Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid, financial control is all too common in abusive households.

Refuge Manager at Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid Jabeen Ferhut said: “Economic control is one of the most common yet overlooked factors of domestic abuse.

"HSBC UK’s No Fixed Address service has given women we support the chance to gain financial independence.

"It is a fantastic scheme that has, and will make a real difference to women we support.”

A woman, who cannot be named for her own protection and has been helped by BSWA, is among those benefiting.

She said: "One bank saw me three times and gave me false hope, each time they were saying that they would accept but in the final appointment they refused.

"I was so upset and frustrated. It was like I didn't matter and nobody cared. It was humiliating and again I had no control.

"I was worried about how I would manage without universal credit money. I had to feed my children. We had been surviving on support from my family and donations.

"Staff at the refuge told me that HSBC had started a new way to open an account for women in refuges, a way in which we did not have to give the refuge address.

"An appointment was made and I attended with staff support. The appointment took a couple of hours because not only did they open an account, but they took the time to show me how to use it online.

"They were really patient and kind to the kids and me. During the appointment I did think they would say no at any moment but when they said the account was open I was so relieved.

"I finally had control. It was my account. I could make my own decisions, and buy the kids things they needed without having to beg or fear his anger."

Representatives of BSWA said that some women in their refuge have been beaten by partners when they have had to ask for money to buy something for the children or for sanitary products.

How does it work?

According to Shelter, up to 320,000 people are facing homelessness across the UK and one in 73 Birmingham residents don’t have a place to call home. Having a bank account can make it easier to claim benefits, receive wages and pay rent.

Traditionally, banks require photo identification such as a passport or a driver's licence as well as proof of address, which could be a council tax or energy bill - documents which many homeless people may not have or can find difficult to keep safe without a fixed address.

In this scheme, people with no ID or fixed address who are known to the partner charities can open an account with a letter from the organisation to confirm who they are and their situation.

The service was based on the HSBC UK ‘Survivor Bank’ programme which involves working with human trafficking and modern slavery charities to open bank accounts for victims.

(Image: HSBC)

The scheme has so far helped around 86 homeless people across the UK, with 25 of those people located in the Midlands.

Head of Financial Inclusion and Vulnerability at HSBC UK Maxine Pritchard said: “At HSBC UK we’re committed to offering support to those who would otherwise be excluded from banking.

No-one in today’s society should be without a bank account and it’s up to financial organisations to make banking more accessible.

“Opening a bank account can give homeless people a true sense of independence.

"Not only is it required in order to receive benefits and wages, but it’s also a secure mechanism for looking after their money rather than having pockets of cash, which makes them vulnerable.”

There are currently 31 branches operating the service.

To get more information on the scheme visit the HSBC website.