Frequently Asked Questions

Hug&Soul is building trusted infrastructure for digital giving. The initial proposition is to help Hugs support verified Souls through Hug&Soul, while Souls retain meaningful choice over the everyday things they need.

The pilot will test a simple digital way for a Hug to support a verified Soul. Funds will be intended for permitted everyday spending, with clearly inappropriate or high-risk categories restricted. Within those boundaries, the Soul — not the donor — will decide what they need.

Hug&Soul is exploring a model in which trusted organisations help verify eligible Souls under appropriate standards established with Hug&Soul. The process, safeguarding requirements and operating standards are part of the pilot design and are not yet final.

We know some people experiencing hardship may not have all of these. Hug&Soul is designing the pilot with those barriers in mind, but exact requirements will depend on the payment and verification services used. We will explain them clearly before participation begins.

The aim is to give Hugs confidence that the recipient is verified and funds operate within defined spending protections, together with proportionate information about the impact of giving. Hug&Soul is not designed to let donors monitor every individual purchase or personal behaviour.

Souls will choose which permitted everyday things they need, while safe spending boundaries restrict clearly inappropriate or high-risk categories without allowing donors to direct individual purchases.

Hug&Soul intends to collect only information genuinely needed to operate the service safely, confirm participation and meet legal or payment requirements. We will explain what we collect, why we need it and who can access it before the pilot begins.

We cannot currently promise that receiving support through Hug&Soul will never affect benefits. Rules can depend on individual circumstances and how the support is legally structured. We will provide clearer guidance before the pilot begins.

No. Hug&Soul is being designed as infrastructure that can complement existing services. Trusted organisations may help shape verification, connect eligible people, support safeguarding and participate in pilots where the model fits their work.

Not yet. Hug&Soul is preparing an initial pilot and the payment and spending infrastructure is still being explored. Join the relevant waiting list to receive updates and opportunities to take part in research or future pilot activity.

Our principle is that donations intended for Souls should remain protected. Hug&Soul is exploring a sustainable commercial model for operating the infrastructure, with sponsorship and partnership funding the first mechanism we expect to test for the pilot.

The exact pilot payment and fee structure has not yet been finalised. Our aim is to build a sustainable model while protecting the value intended for Souls as far as possible. Any relevant fees will be explained clearly before live giving begins.

Businesses can explore pilot sponsorship, social-impact partnerships, employee or community giving, and support for access to essentials. We will test these opportunities carefully rather than assume a final corporate proposition.

They are future possibilities, not core pilot priorities. The first priorities are verified Souls, simple digital giving, safe spending boundaries, Soul autonomy, donor trust and a workable pilot with trusted organisations and partners.

Yes. Joining is free and helps us understand interest from Hugs, Souls, trusted organisations, businesses, investors and partners.

We’re designing the pilot, speaking with potential participants and partners, and testing the assumptions needed to operate responsibly. We will share confirmed details as the verification, safeguarding and spending model develops.