News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A charity working with homeless people have created wearable barcodes in a bid to help increase donations in a cashfree society.

The new initiative called Greater Change, backed by Oxford University, hands homeless people a QR code similar to those used for online tickets

People who want to give money, but do not have change to hand, can scan the code using their phone and make an online payment to the person.

The scheme also aims to make a change to the homeless problem in the UK by helping those off the street and back in to work and accomedation.

(Image: greaterchange.co.uk)

Each account is managed by a case worker who ensures that the money is spent sensibly and will make a positive impact towards the life of the individual.

The agreed targets can go to towards such things as a passport or rental deposit.

Alex McCallion, founder of Greater Change, told the BBC: "The problem we’re trying to solve here is that we live in an increasingly cashless society and as well as this when people give they worry about what this money might be spent on.

"So the solution we’ve come up with is a giving mechanism through your smart phone with a restrictive fund"

To give the transaction a personal touch, good Samaritans will also be presented with a profile on the rough sleeper. It will give information on their circumstances, what their job used to be and how they became homeless in the first place.

(Image: greaterchange.co.uk)

The project, which is being trialled in Oxford, is supported by Oxford University Innovation and Oxford’s Said Business School.

The Big Issue has previously said that Britain's move towards a cashless society is contributing to declining sales as it trials contactless payments to help the homeless.

The magazine, which is sold by homeless people, has suffered as a result of people walking up and down Britain's high streets without coins and notes in their pockets, as they now rely on cards and mobile phones for payments.

Russell Blackman, the Big Issue’s managing director, said earlier this year that they are looking into ways to roll out cashless payments to all its vendors.

“It is vital that we develop the right contactless solution for our vendors, ensuring that they can get instant access to their funds, even if they don’t have their own bank account due to a lack of permanent address,” he said.

(Image: BBC)

Neil Coyle MP, the Labour co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ending Homelessness told The Telegraph : “Necessity has again become the mother of invention and now there is an app to try and help generate more public donations to homeless people.

poll loading Is this a good idea? 0+ VOTES SO FAR Yes No

“This intervention should not be necessary but with a Government ignoring the scale of the problem, any extra donations may help homeless people directly.”

He added that homelessness has escalated in recent years, and the app will not help address the broader issues such as a lack of drug and alcohol cessation programmes, affordable housing and mental health care.