Tech for Good: Creating an Inclusive Charity Retail Environment.

Modern technology opens the charity retail industry up to new and favourable opportunities. Let’s explore how technology can adapt to the needs of volunteers and supporters, creating an easier way for everyone to take part in doing good.

There's a clear demand to make charity ePOS systems more accessible for volunteers and supporters. Tailoring technology solutions to individual requirements is essential, not everyone works in the same way. If you have volunteers with cognitive problems, motor issues, vision impairment, or hearing disability, making simple adjustments to make your equipment easier is vital for an accessible shop. For instance:

• Finding a portable ePOS can empower volunteers and supporters by giving them easier access.
• Finding compatible software that has been known to support those with learning difficulties/differences through its assistive and configurable nature.
• Finding the right supplier that has a hands-on customer support team.

Using software and hardware that can adapt to each shop's volunteer requirements can make charity ePOS & Retail Gift Aid systems more inclusive. Information, in general, can be represented in multiple diverse ways, and by facilitating personalised learning it can develop independence, and promote social inclusion (UNESCO).

Petra Littlefair, Brandon Trust’s Retail Enterprise Manager speaks about her experience with their tablet-based ePOS system; “The fact that we have such a great and easy-to-use ePOS system has enhanced the experience of people with learning disabilities and autism who are volunteers, trainees, or staff in our social enterprises. Using a till and serving customers in busy shops and cafés helps them build confidence and independence, advancing their employment journey.”

Tablets are designed to be small, and light. The lack of cables means that the ePOS/Gift Aid system can be moved to different advantage points of the shop to allow for easy access or placed at a more accessible reach. Donating and volunteering should be something everyone can do.

Mark Murison, Community Integrated Care’s Development Manager for their retail shops “Inspire By” explains, “We like the fact that it's portable, so we can take the tablet down to the person who sits in a wheelchair, and they can use it from their wheelchair independently, which is brilliant.”

Customer support is also a key factor in making technology solutions more inclusive. Having an easy-to-use charity retail system does help to reduce the amount of support, but when an issue occurs the help should be there in any format that is best suited to you. Not everyone finds learning easy.

When a problem arises, having someone who will be there to assist you is essential. A good support team looks at every case individually and solutions are unique to the person who is requesting help.

Ilona Fogel, Head of Service Delivery at Wil-U, says, "We have a great team who care about our customers and work hard to provide excellent support. We're here to help and solve issues big and small, and we work alongside our customers to ensure everyone gets the most out of our solutions in their shops and charities."

Wil-U focuses on the needs of our customers and volunteers, and having a flexible solution gives them so many more possibilities in the shop.

Our tablet-based ePOS system is designed to be more assistive. The flexibility of the apps and their design encourages people of all abilities to use the equipment. Through different layouts, images, and colours, the volunteer can make amendments to the app design that will make it easier to understand. 

The portability of a tablet-based ePOS system has changed charity retail into an inclusive environment for everyone. By continuing to develop an inclusive service regarding design and support, Wil-U has been able to encourage equipment use for those with any ability by changing the format of our charity ePOS & Gift Aid System.

We understand that finding the right solutions that can do this for you will have a positive effect on your volunteers and supporters. At the end of the day, we are here to help you.

For more information on how Wil-U can provide you with the right solution, get in touch.