HAFOD, one of the leading providers of housing, care and support in South Wales, has announced the landmark success of its latest Christmas Kindness campaign. Transitioning to a digital-first gifting system slashed administrative time by nearly 90% and delivered significantly more funds to customers needing support. Residents benefited by quicker access and an increasingly flexible approach to accessing funds in advance of the festive period.
By partnering with Prezzee, the leading digital gifting platform, Hafod replaced traditional, manual voucher purchasing and distribution with an instant-delivery digital system enabling the recipient to select from a wide range of retailers to buy from. The pilot project aimed to evaluate how a more modern approach could improve the delivery of financial support and essential benefits to the community.
The results of the pilot highlight a dramatic shift in operational efficiency. Previously, the old method of voucher procurement and distribution required nearly 100 hours of staff time. Under the new digital system, this was reduced to just 11.7 hours, saving colleagues approximately 11 working days of administrative labour.
The financial impact was equally significant, with colleague-related costs dropping from £1,912 to just £241, representing a saving of over 85% that can be better utilised for front-line community support.
Beyond the balance sheet, the partnership with Prezzee provided Hafod’s customers with unprecedented autonomy. The digital voucher system allowed recipients to choose where to spend their funds, with the platform tailored to exclude restricted items such as alcohol, tobacco, and gambling.
Resident feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
One customer shared: “I’m saving mine up to be able to have a meal out with my partner, as we can’t afford the nice things anymore.”
Another noted: “I can’t believe the choice; it makes it easier to use on all my kids.”
For many, the convenience was the highlighted. One said: “It’s so handy being on my phone, ready for me to use anytime.”
As part of their commitment to social value, Prezzee waived all subscription costs, text message fees, and credit card charges for the campaign. This ensured that every penny intended for the community reached those in need without being eroded by transaction fees.
Hafod benefitted from a real-time dashboard, allowing teams to monitor which vouchers had been received and spent, virtually eliminating the historical issue of lost or reissued physical vouchers.
Michelle McGregor, Community Engagement Manager at Hafod, commented: “The Christmas Kindness campaign has proven that digital innovation isn’t just about saving time; it’s about giving respect and dignity to our customers.
“By giving people the power to choose how they spend their support whether it’s for home DIY or a family meal, we are providing help that truly fits their lives.
“The efficiency gains mean our coaches can spend less time on paperwork and more time on the people who need them, even sending funds while still with a customer.”
Following the success of this pilot, Hafod is now exploring expanding the use of the Prezzee platform for its wider hardship funds and year-round support initiatives.
