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How one-to-one giving works on Giving121
Giving121 lists single needs, from £30 to £500, for people a sponsor already works with. The sponsor is a charity, council, school, housing association or NHS team, and it checks the need and the price. A giver chooses a case and pays the sponsor or the shop for the item, so the person never gets cash.
What happens for each person in a case?
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.
Where does the money go?
To the item, never to the person as cash. You pay the sponsor organisation or the shop, and the sponsor makes sure the item reaches the person.
£
You, the giver
You choose a case and tell us. We put you in touch with the sponsor by email.
The sponsor or the shop
You pay one of them for the item on the listing, at the price on the listing.
The item
Tools, a school bag, a cooker, a train fare. Exactly what the case says.
The person
Their sponsor gets it to them, then sends a receipt or photo that we pass on to you.
Never cash. The person gets the item, not money.
Giving121 never holds your money. We only put you in touch.
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 about a case and we'll tell you the fee before you commit to anything. The person never gets cash.
Is Giving121 a charity?
No. Giving121 is run by Independent Check Ltd, a UK company, number 08302295.
Because it isn't a charity, Gift Aid doesn't apply to what you give. Sponsors are registered charities, councils, schools, housing associations and NHS teams.
How long does each step take?
These are the times we work to in the pilot.
1 working day
to reply to any enquiry, from a giver, a sponsor or someone asking for help.
5 working days
to check a new sponsor organisation, once, before its first case.
2 working days
to list a case once we have a complete request from the sponsor.
More questions about how it works
Who can be a sponsor?
Registered charities, councils, schools, housing associations and NHS or health teams that already work with the person. We check each organisation once: we look it up on the Charity Commission, Companies House or gov.uk, and call it on its main number, not a number it gives us. For sponsors.
What can be listed?
One specific item or cost, from £30 to £500, with a price link or a quote. The person has agreed to the wording. We don't list cash, debts or rent arrears.
Can several givers share one case?
Not during the pilot. One giver funds the whole case, so a case is either open or funded.
What do I get after I fund a case?
The sponsor sends a receipt or a photo of the item once the person has it. We forward it to you and mark the case as funded.
What if the item can't be delivered?
You get your money back (from the sponsor, or the shop if you paid it), or with your OK it goes to the same person's next listed need.
Will the giver know who I am?
No. The site never shows your name, photo or town, and the giver doesn't get your contact details. A thank-you message goes through your sponsor, and only if you want to send one.