Pay for one thing one person needs
Each case on Giving121 is a single need, like work tools or a school bag, from £30 to £500. A charity, council, school or other sponsor that knows the person checks it first. You choose one and pay for it.
We're starting with a small pilot. Work for a charity or council?
Example case
Brushes, rollers and paint to start decorating work
£209.95
Not checked: shown as an example
Sample listing
A school bag and shoes for starting secondary school
£86.00
Would be checked by their school
Sample listing
Train fares to hospital appointments for a month
£120.00
Would be checked by a health charity
Sample listing
A cooker for a first flat
£289.00
Would be checked by a housing association
Get help with one thing
It's free for you. Your name won't be on the site. Someone who already supports you, like a charity or the council, backs your request.
One specific thing, never a general appeal
The kinds of need a sponsor can list. Each one has a price and a reason, and a sponsor who has checked both.
Tools to start work
A laptop for college
Things for school
A food shop
Travel to an appointment
Home essentials
How one-to-one giving works
Three people take part in every case: the person who needs something, a sponsor who knows them, and a giver who pays for it. Pick the one that's you.
1
Choose a case
Each case shows the item, the price and who checked it. Nothing about the person that could identify them.
2
Tell us you'd like to fund it
Fill in a short form. You don't pay anything at this stage, and you can ask questions first.
3
We put you in touch with the sponsor
You pay the sponsor or the shop directly. Giving121 never holds your money, and it never goes to the person as cash.
4
Hear that it arrived
The sponsor sends a receipt or a photo of the item, and we pass it on to you.
You pay for one specific thing, and you see that it arrived.
1
Tell us what you need
One thing, and roughly what it costs. It's free for you.
2
Your sponsor backs it
Someone who already supports you, like a charity, the council or your school, confirms the need. Not sure who? Tell us and we'll try to help.
3
You see the listing first
We show you exactly what the site will say. You can change it or say no.
4
Someone pays for it
Your sponsor arranges the item with you. The giver never gets your details.
Free for you, and private.
1
Register your organisation
Charities, councils, schools, housing associations and NHS teams can sponsor cases. We check your organisation once, usually within 5 working days.
2
List a need
The item, the price (a link or a quote is enough), what it's for, and the person's agreement.
3
A giver comes forward
We put you in touch by email. The giver pays your organisation or the shop directly.
4
Confirm it arrived
Send us a receipt or a photo once the person has the item, and we mark the case as funded.
A short online form, checked within 2 working days.
What a case looks like
This example shows how every case is laid out: what's needed, what it's for, who checked it, and what happens when you fund it. It hasn't been checked by a sponsor, so it can't be funded.
Cases never show the person's name, photo or exact location.
Example case
Brushes, rollers and paint to start decorating work
£209.95
What's needed
Rollers, brushes and paint from B&Q. Total £209.95.
What it's for
JF is starting a painting and decorating business in Gloucestershire. With his own tools he can take on paid jobs.
What happens when you fund it
On a live case, you'd pay the sponsor or the shop directly, and the sponsor would send us the receipt.
Before you give a stranger money, you'll want to know this
Every live case has a sponsor
A registered charity, council, school, housing association or NHS team that already works with the person confirms the need and the price.
Run by Independent Check Ltd
A UK company, number 08302295, based in Cardiff. You can call us on 0800 246 1094 and talk to a person.
Private by design
No names, photos or addresses on the site. The person approves their listing before it goes live.
The person never pays
There's a small listing fee. The sponsor pays it, or it's added to the giver's total. The person asking for help never pays.
Run by a company, not a charity
Giving121 is a service run by a company, so Gift Aid doesn't apply.
You know someone who needs one thing. We find someone to pay for it.
For support workers at charities, councils, schools, housing associations and NHS teams. When there's no budget for a specific item, list it on Giving121 and a private giver can fund it.
Takes a few minutes. You need the item, the price and the person's agreement.
No cost to the person you support. You stay in charge of how the item reaches them.
Get help form, sponsor view
What's needed?
Work boots, size 9
Price
£64.00
What will it help them do?
Start a warehouse job on Monday
Your organisation
Name of charity or council
Has the person agreed?
Yes, they've seen the wording
Send my request
Get help with one thing you need
It's free for you. Your name won't be on the site.
1
Tell us what you need and roughly what it costs.
2
Someone who supports you, like a charity or the council, backs your request.
3
We check it and show you the listing before it goes live.
4
When someone pays for it, your sponsor arranges it with you.
Other help to try first
Giving121 is small and new. These can often help faster.
Emergency help with essentials. Every council runs its own.
Finds charity grants you might be able to get.
Free advice on money, benefits and debt.
Questions people ask first
Is it safe to give to someone I don't know?
Every live case is backed by a sponsor: a registered charity, council, school, housing association or NHS team that already works with the person. They confirm the need and the price before we list it.
Does my money go to the person?
No. You pay the sponsor organisation or the shop directly for the item on the listing. It never goes to the person as cash, and Giving121 never holds it.
What does it cost?
The price of the item. There's a small listing fee. The sponsor pays it, or it's added to the giver's total. The person asking for help never pays. Ask us and we'll tell you the fee for a case.
Is Giving121 a charity?
No. It's run by Independent Check Ltd, a UK company (number 08302295). Most sponsors will be charities, councils and schools.
Who can be a sponsor?
Registered charities, councils, schools, housing associations and NHS teams that already work with the person. We check each organisation before it can list a case.