The 'Poppins' project is an integrated test system that explores the potential for a virtual currency that will help change attitudes to how the elderly and vulnerable are treated in society and within the dynamics of the High Street.
Thirty/forty years ago, habits were very different and people tended to shop daily at a variety of local shops where people knew them and had time for them. The dynamic is radically different today with out-of-town retail sites, internet shopping and people simply choosing to visit their local High Streets less frequently. Poppins intends to both help shops establish new relationships with a key sector of their customer base (the elderly) and help build up new uses for the High Street. Shops are expected to see their involvement in Poppins as an example of good customer relations and corporate social responsibility and as a positive example for their staff.
‘Poppins’ are tagged coins that are given to people as tokens of respect and care by participating retailers and service providers who have agreed to adopt a Code of Practice in their dealings with the elderly. Poppins are exchangeable at a dedicated High Street presence that will also act as focal point for a range of other activities aimed at helping keep the elderly active, interested and independent. Initially, in recognition of the target demographic's perceived preferences, poppins will be a physical 'coin' but in due course a fully virtual version will also be developed.
The initial project is designed to establish a framework that could be built upon in future studies.