A new bank account is offering hope to homeless people across the country after HSBC teamed up with Shelter to help them get back on their feet.
The 'no fixed address' account lets people bypass the traditional requirements of IDs and home addresses before opening an account.
It's a huge step forward, given the benefits of having an account go far beyond just somewhere to put your money.
Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said: “Having a bank account not only allows homeless people to receive wages and claim benefits, but can instil a much-needed sense of independence."
She added: "It's hard enough if you're homeless, living day-to-day on the streets in the freezing cold or trapped with your children in a grotty hostel, but not having a bank account can make life even tougher."
The scheme has launched in 31 branches in major cities across Britain - including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool - and is already making a difference.
Homeless teen, Trinity, said joining the scheme has already changed her life in so many ways when other banks would have just told her 'no'.
Speaking to the Birmingham Live , the 17-year-old explained she 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.
"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."
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.
She went to youth homelessness charity St Basils for help, which set her up with the progression coach that led her to the scheme.
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.”
Another 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, as many as 320,000 people are facing homelessness across the UK. Having a bank account makes it easier to claim benefits, receive wages and pay rent.
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.
Maxine Pritchard, head of financial inclusion at HSBC said: “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 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.”
So far the scheme has helped about 86 homeless people across the UK, there are currently 31 branches operating the service.
To get more information on the scheme check out this page on the HSBC website .
The 'No Fixed Address Service' is currently offered in:
-
Belfast City
-
Bishopsgate, City of London
-
Birmingham New Street
-
Blackpool Oxford Square
-
Bournemouth Old Christchurch Road
-
Bradford Market Street
-
Bristol Cabot Circus
-
Bristol Filton
-
Cardiff Queen Street
-
Croydon Central
-
Doncaster
-
Dover
-
Enfield, The Town
-
Glasgow City
-
Hull
-
Hounslow High Street
-
Leeds City
-
Liverpool Lord Street
-
Manchester St Anns
-
Middlesbrough St Alberts Road
-
Newcastle City
-
Nottingham Clumber Street
-
Palmers Green
-
Peterborough
-
Sheffield City
-
Southampton
-
Stratford
-
Swansea
-
Swindon
-
Walthamstow
- Wrexham
