Over 50 churches in our diocese are now equipped to take contactless donations following the rollout of devices as part of a national generosity scheme.
Churches’ representatives collected their subsidised devices and received training by the diocesan Generous Giving and National Giving Teams at Diocesan House in Canterbury. The rollout of the subsidised user-friendly donation devices aims to make it easier for people without cash to make donations to churches by card or mobile payment.
Lindsay Yates, Diocesan Generous Giving Advisor, said: “This is an important development for our diocese. Many people carry less cash than they used to, and evidence suggests that most people give more generously when they give digitally. It is therefore anticipated that using these devices will help churches maximise their one-off donations and encourage greater generosity amongst their congregations, communities and visitors.”
All the devices allocated as part of the rollout connect either to Wi-Fi, or a 4G signal via a SIM, or operate offline, and allow givers to donate money easily on a self-service basis using a card or smart device.
James Lakeland came to collect his device on behalf of St Andrew, Barming Heath, and said: “We found that parishioners don’t always arrive at church with money in their pockets that they can put in the collection tin. So, we have investigated this particular device to allow them to tap and go.
“It fills a gap between the people that donate via envelope or direct debit to your church and the people that have actually got money in their pocket to put on the collection plate. This allows them the convenience of using a tap-and-go card.”
Parishes were asked to donate towards the cost of their device, and as a result, further devices may be available at a subsidised rate for those who missed out on the first roll-out.
If you are interested in finding out more about a donation device including our ‘try before you buy scheme’ please contact Lindsay and Vicky at generousgiving@diocant.org.