Scanning Homeless People To Make a Donation

Have you ever wanted to donate to a homeless person, but found yourself without any cash, or concerned about how they may spend the money? A potential solution is being proposed in Oxford, England, through a scheme issuing homeless people with barcodes which can be worn around the neck or printed on a sign.

Members of the public can scan these barcodes on their smartphones and read the homeless person’s story, before deciding whether or not to donate. Any money pledged goes into a special bank account managed by a support worker, helping the homeless person save towards long-term goals.

Some think the project solves a number of problems but others fear the act of scanning someone using a smartphone could be dehumanising.

We visit Oxford to meet homeless people using the barcodes, and speak to the people behind the big idea.

Presenter: Harriet Noble

Photo Caption: One of the homeless people helping trial the new system in Oxford
Photo Credit: BBC