Holidaymakers and residents across BCP are being urged to make a small donation that will go a long way to helping the homeless this summer.

The summer months can be tough for those with nowhere to call home, especially with the heatwave and the rising cost of essential food items.

The Homelessness Partnership for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – made up of local charities, businesses and public sector organisations – is working hard to ensure that people living on the streets are not forgotten as the region deals with the annual influx of summertime visitors.

Under the Change for Good initiative, specially installed contactless ‘giving points’ across the conurbation enable people to quickly and easily donate £3 simply by tapping their bank card.

One hundred per cent of the money received goes to helping local people to move away from rough sleeping and start to rebuild their lives for the better.

Alistair Doxat-Purser, pictured left, Chair of the Partnership Forum, said: “With the cost of living crisis biting, greater numbers of people are holidaying in the UK this summer and those who are taking a break in the BCP area may witness people rough sleeping.

“Visitors and residents often wonder what they can do when they see someone sleeping on the streets, but are unsure of the best way to help.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic, fewer people have been carrying cash, with a switch towards contactless payments – a trend that makes donating towards ending homelessness even easier.

“For the same price as a holiday souvenir or a couple of ice creams, our special ‘giving points’ make the process of contactless donating fast and secure.”

‘Giving points’ have been sited at convenient locations across the BCP region.

Venues include HSBC UK in Bournemouth, the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole and Christchurch Baptist Church.

All donations go into the Change for Good fund which is independently managed by Dorset Community Foundation.

The contactless giving points alone have raised more than £2,000 since their initial roll-out in 2021.

Dorset Community Foundation has given out more than £8,000 in the last two years to local agencies working directly with people escaping homelessness, complementing the statutory support from the council.

Donations can also be made via the Just Giving page by clicking here.

Residents and visitors can report concerns about people who are rough sleeping to St Mungo’s on 01202 315962, or via the StreetLink service at streetlink.org.uk.

Concerns can also be emailed to the BCP Street Outreach Service at b&pstreetoutreach@mungos.org

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Where to find a contactless giving point

HSBC UK Bournemouth: 59 Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth BH1 1EH

Half-time: 55 Westover Rd, Bournemouth BH1 2BZ

Central Library, Bournemouth: 22 The Triangle, Bournemouth BH2 5RQ

Hope&More: 171 Seabourne Rd, Bournemouth BH5 2HH

HSBC UK Poole: 165-167 High St, Poole BH15 1AU

“Gather”: 110 Dolphin Centre, Poole BH15 1SZ

HSBC UK Christchurch (inside): 15 High St, Christchurch BH23 1AF

Christchurch Baptist Church: 49 Bargates, Christchurch BH23 1QT

Podium point in middle of Dolphin Centre, Poole

Counter-top devices are available at:

Citizens Advice Mobile Van (various locations)

Marsham Court Hotel Bournemouth: 3 Russell Cotes Rd, East Cliff, Bournemouth BH1 3AB

Hilton Hotel Bournemouth: Terrace Rd, Bournemouth BH2 5EL