Chip shop owner joins BillyChip initiative to help the homeless

A fish and chip shop in Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset, has partnered with BillyChip, a scheme designed to support the homeless by providing them with food and drinks without the direct exchange of money.

Gavin Holman, who runs Brit Chips, was inspired to join the initiative after seeing other businesses take part and learning more about BillyChip’s mission. “I have the same ethos as Billy did when he started this scheme. I’d rather give the homeless something tangible than just the monetary value.”

The scheme works by allowing customers to purchase a BillyChip for £2 along with their order. They can then give the chip to a homeless person, who can redeem it at any participating outlet for food and a hot drink. At Brit Chips, the chip can be exchanged for a portion of chips and a hot drink.

“We went live with it last week and have already sold a dozen,” says Gavin. “We’ve had a lot of interest on social media, and people have been messaging me directly to find out more.”

The initiative has also been embraced by other community members, including church groups and first responders in the area, who see it as a practical way to provide direct support to homeless individuals. 

“Word is getting around,” says Gavin. “A lady came in last week who had seen our post on Facebook and wanted to buy one but, because she was an older lady, she didn’t get into town that often to hand it out. She asked if she bought one, could she leave it here and if we saw somebody, could we give it to them, which of course we said yes to.”

When another customer later purchased two BillyChips to redeem and personally deliver meals to two homeless individuals nearby, Gavin matched the lady’s chip and gave both to the customer, ensuring both individuals received a full meal and a chip to redeem at a later date. 

Beyond just providing food, Gavin sees Brit Chips – which his parents started 14 years ago – as offering a safe space for those in need. “They can come in, redeem their BillyChip, sit here for a while, charge their phones, and just have a moment of respite before going back out into the elements.”

The idea behind BillyChip is that businesses are credited to cover the cost of items provided against redeemed chips, so taking part doesn’t cost anything. However, Gavin plans to reinvest this in more BillyChips. “For every two pound we get back, we’ll buy another BillyChip to donate back to someone homeless in the area.”

BillyChip reinvests its profits into grants for projects aimed at helping the homeless. One of its initiatives includes funding a shelter made from converted shipping containers in Bedminster, Bristol, offering safe accommodation to those struggling with homelessness.

Gavin hopes more businesses will get involved, adding: “It’s not about how many Billy Chips we sell – it’s about how many are redeemed. It’s about helping those in need. Sometimes, just a hot meal and a drink and showing a bit of kindness can be the turning point for someone.”