Transforming support for vulnerable families through digital innovation
ShopLocal voucher scheme
Action for Children is a charity driven by love – taking action so children don’t miss out on a safe and happy childhood.
With 372 services in communities across the UK, in schools and online, they work on the ground giving children and young people the protection and practical help they urgently need. And they campaign tirelessly for lasting change.
Action for Children has been supporting children since 1869 and last year they helped over 680,000 vulnerable children, young people and families
In South Lakeland, Cumbria, Action for Children encountered a significant logistical challenge while distributing funds such as the household support fund to families in need.
Karen Keegan, Team Leader and Heather Gray, Locality Service Manager at Action for Children commented:
“The process we had in place involved staff members travelling daily to buy and distribute vouchers to families in their region, we cover a large area so team members were often covering distances of 20-50 miles.”
The vouchers the team required could be for a variety of things, groceries, clothing, home essentials, and white goods. With many staff members working part-time, this task consumed most of their working day, leaving them with little time to focus on other pressing issues affecting the families they supported. The team recognised that this method was unsustainable and inefficient. There had to be a better way to manage their workload while continuing to support the families in need.
In a bid to improve efficiency, the team conducted research and explored three different voucher distribution platforms. Evouchers quickly emerged as the preferred option due to it’s ease of setup, the flexibility of use and in distributing vouchers, and seamless user experience.
In preparation for this change, the team contacted families to inform them of the new procedure, ensuring they were ready to embrace this shift. Internally, the team also tightened their process to support this new way of working. Given that funding fluctuates throughout the year, the team appreciated that Evouchers could be used as and when without subscription fees or additional costs.
Karen and Heather continued:
“We decided to start with a trial run in September 2023 to test out the platform’s potential and how it could work for us. During this period, we needed to distribute the ‘Infant Feeding Fund’ to families. Using Evouchers, the team was able to upload contacts, place orders for vouchers, and distribute them via text message or email in just a few minutes. Families responded positively, highlighting the App for its simplicity and instant access to their vouchers.”
Action for Children, South Lakeland Child & Family Support Service receives referrals from various organisations and partners including GPs, Children’s Services, Schools, and Health Visitors. This variety means the platform needed simplicity to cater to a wide demographic and meet stringent compliance and data protection standards. Evouchers offered the required security features, including features such as single sign-on (SSO), two-factor authentication, and comprehensive reporting capabilities, ensuring the platform was safe, efficient, and compliant.
The implementation of Evouchers had a profound impact on the team’s operations. By eliminating the need for daily travel to buy and distribute vouchers, staff gained back significant time to focus on other projects supporting their families. The removal of cash handling and travel also reduced costs while instantly supporting our families.
Karen and Heather summarised the impact:
“The Evouchers platform is cost-effective, it’s improved efficiency for our staff, and it’s better for our families giving them the privacy and dignity to spend their vouchers.”
The adoption of the Evouchers platform has been a game-changer for Action for Children in South Lakeland. It has streamlined their processes, saved valuable staff time, and provided a more dignified experience for families, highlighting how digital innovation can drive operational efficiency and, most importantly, improve the lives of vulnerable children and families across the UK.
