Jollyes has announced that its new partnership with BillyChip, the social enterprise scheme supporting rough sleepers, has already generated over £25,000 in donations for homeless people and their pets.

In the first six weeks after launch, Jollyes customers purchased over 12,000 BillyChips. Customers can either purchase a BillyChip and donate it personally to those living on the streets, or deposit it in a special box at the register.

Offering a safe and secure scheme for the homeless, buying and giving a BillyChip overcomes some of the concerns people have about giving to those who are homeless and offers choice to the person using it.

A BillyChip, which costs £2, can be exchanged for cans of dog food for those who are homeless and have a pet, or used by individuals in participating cafes and restaurants in exchange for a hot drink or meal.

Jollyes was the first partner to offer BillyChip innovative street currency outside of the food and services sector, rolling out the scheme in 98 stores in December.

Customers at Jollyes Kettering store really got behind BillyChip, buying 1,600 £2 tokens to give to the homeless in Northamptonshire or leave at the till for Jollyes and BillyChip to use to purchase dog food for those living on the streets with pets. 

In and around Kettering, one BillyChip can also be used by the homeless in five local Central Co-op stores to exchange for a hot or cold drink or two BillyChips exchanged for a meal deal.

Other Jollyes stores seeing high BillyChip sales include Hull, Cannock, Great Bridge and Dereham.

New stores planned for Newport (South Wales) on 1 March and Rotherham (22 March), will also offer customers the opportunity to buy the BillyChip street currency.

Jollyes has joined a growing network of BillyChip partners across the UK, including Central Co-Op and Greggs, who support the scheme.

From March 2024, BillyChip and Jollyes will donate dog food to those who are homeless, on a quarterly basis, using the value of the BillyChip tokens purchased, with Jollyes doubling the size of the donation.

Jollyes chief executive officer Joe Wykes said: “Both customers and colleagues have got behind BillyChip in a big way since we quietly launched it in December.  We hope to build on our initial success and help BillyChip gain access to more redemption partners that will make a significant difference to the homeless and their pets.”

Commenting on partnership, Jon Hope, Co-Founder of BillyChip said: “Seeing the impact which this new partnership with Jollyes has already made is absolutely fantastic. We couldn’t believe how quickly the scheme has taken off – and how many BillyChips have been sold in such a short time. Jollyes customers have taken BillyChip to their hearts showing us how pet owners around the UK are ready and willing to support others in their communities.”