Glasgow residents will soon be able to donate to the city's beggars online and through contactless giving points.

Through the Alternative Giving scheme, people can contribute to a fund that will pay for practical items such as clothes to attend a job interview, tickets for public transport to access training or essential tools or safety equipment to start work.

An online donation facility, contactless giving points and a website will be created by a partnership including Simon Community Scotland, Glasgow Homelessness Network, The Big Issue, Glasgow City Council, the Chamber of Commerce and Police Scotland.

Read more: MSPs reject call to frontload homelessness cash for action now

Any funds will be practical and tailored to a person's individual needs.

The likes of Simon Community, who have first hand experience of working with vulnerable people, will apply to the fund on the individual's behalf.

Decisions on support will be made quickly to ensure people are able to seize opportunities to improve their lives.

The initiative will also include Glasgow businesses and organisations who will be invited to become ambassadors, providing "in kind", financial support or work experience for suitable candidates.

Firms tendering for council contracts may also be encouraged to back the scheme via "community benefit" clauses.

The city’s Begging Strategy Group visited Manchester and Liverpool to learn how difference alternative giving schemes operate successfully and what type would be most suitable for Glasgow.

Councillor Allan Casey, Chair of the Begging Strategy Group, said: “Glasgow is a generous city and people care deeply about those who are vulnerable and marginalised. They regularly give their spare change to people who are begging. This may help in the short term, but may not bring about positive, long term change in that person’s life.

“The new alternative giving scheme will offer the public a new way to help, which aims to deliver long term change for individuals – giving them personalised practical support to improve their lives by pursuing positive paths.

Read more: MSPs reject call to frontload homelessness cash for action now

"Not everyone who begs is homeless, but this scheme will operate in tandem with existing services in the city such as the new roving Digital Inclusion Officer, the Housing First Scheme and homelessness services. We aim to remove barriers preventing people from rising out of poverty and no longer having to participate in begging."

People with personal experience of begging in Glasgow will be involved in the scheme's creation and also in deciding which applications are approved.

Street Change Glasgow is another initiative by the city's Begging Strategy Group.

A Digital Inclusion Officer was recently employed to work alongside the Simon Community's Street Team who uses a tablet computer to ensure they are registered to receive all the benefits they are entitled to, as well as preparing them for the transition to Universal Credit.