There has been an incredible citizen response to the coronavirus crisis, with people signing up in their thousands to offer their support in any way they can. But as charities and volunteer groups bolster their ranks, the prohibitive costs and logistical issues of distributing ID cards has become a serious safeguarding issue.
Which is why we’re delighted to be supporting Volunteer Edinburgh with digital volunteer ID cards that they can issue directly to a volunteer’s phone.
Volunteer Edinburgh works with some of the most vulnerable citizens in Edinburgh. As they deploy 1,400 volunteers through the Scottish Government’s Scotland Cares, being able to remotely equip those delivering their services with secure identification is fundamental.
As the issuing authority, they can issue, update and revoke volunteer ID cards via the Yoti app. Volunteers can’t edit the information but can present their ID card on their phone or share verified details ahead of a visit via text or email.
For extra security, cards have a digital hologram which changes with the movement of a phone and have a live QR code that can be scanned to check the validity of the ID. You can see it in full glory in the video below.
In the latest update, we’ve made it easier for you to prove your identity in person to other Yoti users. Get the latest update from #GooglePlay or the #AppStore now 📲 https://t.co/UIuGdRVCdb pic.twitter.com/NNgnvwAHQQ
— Yoti (@getyoti) May 5, 2020
Our scalable system is already being used by the NHS to issue secure digital ID cards to thousands of employees under NHS E&I, NHSX and NHS Digital. We fast-tracked the NHS staff digital ID cards at the beginning of the pandemic amidst reports of employees being attacked for their ID cards by opportunists looking to cash in on key worker discounts. Digital ID cards are intrinsically linked to the individual through the Yoti app, so can’t be lost, stolen or asserted by anyone other than their holder.
We’re really happy to also be able to support Volunteer Edinburgh at a time where fraud in the UK has doubled and doorstep scams pose a real danger to the most vulnerable in the community.
As Chief Officer at Volunteer Edinburgh Paul Wilson outlines, “Being able to badge our authorised volunteers remotely and with such control is vital and gives the people we are supporting greater confidence in our volunteers and Volunteer Edinburgh.
Yoti’s contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic response has been invaluable. Their support for Volunteer Edinburgh has allowed us to augment our already robust onboarding process for volunteers and means we can deploy our volunteers with greater safety and security.”
Our Scotland Commercial Director, Gordon Scobbie, tells us, “It’s been a pleasure to help the volunteering effort in Scotland and we look forward to helping out more organisations who need this kind of innovative digital solution.”