Money Handling

If you’re helping people on your streets, then the following tips for handing money might be helpful.

  • Don’t hand over or take credit or debit cards to get supplies - it’s a big safeguarding risk. 

  • Ideally, buy supplies first and come back with a receipt before any money is handed over: this reduces any risk of fraud. 

  • The best form of repayment is by bank transfer or paypal. If you have to handle cash, you can disinfect it with soapy water, or a bleach and water mix (1 part bleach to 20 parts water and use a clean cloth and gloves!)

Money can be a cause of stress and friction : these tips can help you to reduce these

  • Agreeing a shopping list in advance - if it’s in a text message that’s even better. 

  • Agree acceptable alternatives in advance. 

  • Make sure the shopper knows about any allergies or dietary requirements 

  • Try not to spend more than £30 on any one shop.  

  • You can reduce risk of fraud further by recording who is shopping for whom in your street through your WhatsApp group and letting people know that they can come to you if they’ve got any concerns or problems



The advice in this post is drawn from the Covid-19 Mutual Aid group’s FAQs

For Street CommunitiesHannah Swithinbanktext