Contactless Comes of Age: Vauxhall City Farm

The UK is transitioning toward a cashless society. According to a UK Finance report, cash payments have declined significantly - from 60% of all transactions in 2008 to just 28% more recently. This shift has created real challenges for charities that rely on cash donations from visitors and passers-by.

The Challenge

Vauxhall City Farm, an urban London farm, noticed decreasing cash contributions from visitors. Recognising the need to adapt, they decided to trial contactless giving at the Lambeth Country Fair in July.

The farm had previously used DONATE's text donation service. Before the fair, they added contactless services to give their supporters more ways to give on the day.

Implementation

Michelle Frank, Marketing Co-ordinator at Vauxhall City Farm, praised the support received from the DONATE™ team:

"We had very little time to get everything ordered and set up, and the DONATE™ team were incredibly helpful at ensuring we got the contactless donate unit in time" - with the team on hand to ensure everything was ready for the event.

The Results

The contactless unit exceeded expectations. At the two-day Lambeth Country Fair, Vauxhall City Farm raised:

• £400 through the tap+DONATE™ contactless box
• £200 via text donations

All from visitors who had no cash - money that would previously have been lost entirely.

A Lasting Impact

Following the success at the fair, the farm now uses contactless donation at the farm year-round. Michelle Frank concluded:

"The true difference has been using the contactless box back at the farm, after the event. We have been astonished by the difference it has made."

For visitor attractions and organisations that interact with the public daily, contactless giving turns every visit into a potential donation opportunity - capturing the generosity of supporters who simply don't carry cash.