NHS trust unveils cashless charity donations

Written by Anthony Strzalek

09/10/2017

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking to increase the awareness and support of its charity by introducing a series of ‘smart’ posters, wheelchairs, ID cards, and vinyl stickers that allow visitors to donate with a simple tap of a smartphone.

The range of NFC (near field communication) items are powered by Thyngs, a mobile marketing and commerce platform.

The posters will be appearing in waiting areas and key departments around the hospital, and vinyl stickers are being applied to the charity-funded portering chairs used by patients and their families. They will make it easier for those visiting the hospital to donate to the charity, which funds additional equipment and facilities that make a big difference to the patient experience.

Using images of staff members, the smart posters illustrate examples of charitable spending whilst at the same time offering a quick and simple method of giving via Thyngs’ mobile-optimised donation tools.

By using the Thyngs platform, the hospital could launch the campaign quickly and cost effectively, giving its supporters a streamlined, secure donation experience which can be completed in as few as three taps, capturing Gift Aid declarations in the process.

Different donation pages are used for each area, and the content can be updated remotely at any time. In addition, each poster, ID badge, and wheelchair is automatically tracked, so the charity can see which formats, departments, locations, and wording elicit the best response.

Neil Garner, CEO of Thyngs, said: “We are delighted that NNUH chose our platform and cashless donation solution to increase awareness and support of their hospital charity.

“There are significant opportunities for NHS Trusts to drive patient and visitor engagement, feedback, and – as in this case, charitable donations – via mobile interaction. With our track record in the charity sector, we look forward to helping many more trusts around the country implement similar campaigns quickly and cost-effectively.”