"Time for Action" Project  

Time Bank members in action

What is time banking?

It’s a way for residents of a community to support one another and share skills. Time for Action covers the areas of Barton Hill, the Dings, Easton, Lawrence Hill and Redfield.

Members ‘deposit’ their time in the bank by giving practical help and support to others and are able to ‘exchange’ their time when they need something done themselves.

Support could take the form of anything from gardening to teaching computer skills, from being on a local management committee to helping someone with their shopping.

Time banking is different from traditional volunteering because everyone is a giver and a receiver – it’s a two-way street.

Everyone’s contribution is valued equally – one hour equals one time credit.

Check out Time Banks UK’s website for more information about how time banks work and to see what other time banks are doing throughout the country www.timebanks.co.uk

What’s in it for you?

Being part of a time bank means that you can learn new skills: for example, how to use a computer, how to knit or how to improve your English.

You can share your skills with other people: you could bake someone a cake, help someone fill in forms or simply call on someone to check they’re OK.

You can also ask for someone’s help yourself: get that bit of guttering fixed, have your garden looked after while you’re on holiday, or get your child picked up from school.

You might also get to make new friends and feel a greater sense of neighbourliness in the community in which you live.

What’s happening at Time for Action at the moment?

There are lots of new projects starting up through the time bank, and there are always events or group activities to get involved with. Remember, you can give as much or as little time as you want.
 

Some things made by the Knitting Group

Knitting Group

This is a chance for people to get together, have a cup of tea and a knit and a natter. You can knit things that other time bank member have requested, knit some baby clothes or blankets for hospitals, or bring your own knitting. All materials will be provided and you don’t have to be a good knitter – you can come along and learn from others in the group.  The group meets fortnightly, on alternate Tuesdays from 2-4pm in the Hall at the Settlement.
 

Staywell

Staywell is a new project which aims to promote good health and wellbeing in older people through befriending. It is a partnership between Barton Hill Settlement and Corbett Surgery. Volunteers will be matched with older people in the area and their primary role will be to visit that person on a regular basis, providing conversation, information about services in the area and a listening ear. All members of Staywell will be members of the Time Bank and will be able to give and receive services through it.
 

Steering Group

The project is led by a steering group made up of local residents which helps and guides it in its development. We’d love to have new members attending – any Time Bank member can join and we’re happy to have observers too, if you’d just like to see what it’s like. It’s a lively and interesting group and there are always things to discuss and events to plan. Our Time Bank has been described as “inspirational” by Time Banks UK, so wouldn’t you like to be involved?!

Babysitting

Babysitting is something that we know is needed by people in the area, so we are hoping to set up a babysitting circle through the Time Bank. We are trying to get as many people as possible interested and then we will organise regular coffee mornings to allow people to meet one another – and their children. All members of the babysitting circle will sign up to a code of conduct which has been drawn up by existing Time Bank members and we hope to be able to offer training in dealing with difficult situations and first aid.

Please get in touch to find out more.

"Secret Cinema"

We are organising regular family film nights with Lawrence Hill Church.  The next film night is on December 20th, 5:30 pm.  The film is "Polar Express".  Entry is by time credit or a small donation and popcorn and drinks are for sale. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Library

The Settlement now has a library! It has been developed and is being staffed by Time Bank members and all the books were donated by staff and local people. It is situated in the Front Room and is open on Mondays from 11.30-1.00pm. (Note that the Library is NOT open on Tuesdays at the moment.)
 

Time Bank staff and volunteers prepare the lunch - shame about the headwear!

Community Crunch!

This regular community lunch, which is open to anyone, is proving to be a real success. The food is cooked by time bank members and has a healthy theme to it – it’s cheap, nutritious and not boring! It’s a great chance to meet up with your friends and to meet new people. The next Crunch is on January 9th, from 12:00-2:00.   If you’re interested in getting involved with any aspect of the lunches – from cooking to washing up to providing musical entertainment – please get in touch.  More pictures of the Community Crunch.

Recipe booklet

We have produced a Time Bank healthy eating recipe booklet to include recipes from the Community Crunch, as well as Time Bankers’ own favourite recipes. “Recipes to Tickle Your Taste Buds” is available from the Time Bank office at the bargain price of £2.
 

Time 2 Swap It

Time 2 Swap It is a webpage on this site that was set up to enable Time Bank members and others to swap goods instead of services. We also hold regular Swap It events; the next one will be at April’s Community Crunch.

Find out how Time 2 Swap It works.
 

Tool loan

We now have a variety of tools which time bank members can borrow in exchange for time credits, including a drill and a jigsaw. Please contact the office for a full list of what’s on offer.

We now have about 100 members, with a wealth of skills. Time exchanges are taking place regularly and people also earn credits through doing work for the time bank, such as delivering leaflets. Here are some of the services that are on offer at the moment: companionship, shopping, lifts, reflexology, car washing, childcare and decorating. Do you need any of these things, or do you have a skill that the time bank could benefit from? If so, get in touch with Laura and sign up!

We want to recruit as many new members as possible, so that we have a varied and interesting pool of skills. See if you can persuade one of your friends with a talent to join up and earn yourself one credit by doing so. We are particularly keen to recruit people who have decorating and DIY skills, people who are able to give guitar, singing or piano lessons, people with sewing skills and gardeners. If would be able to offer complementary therapies, massage or crafts, we’d also love to hear from you.