Time Banking
What is Timebank?
A time bank is a way for people to come together to help others and help themselves at the same time. Participants 'deposit' their time in the bank by giving practical help and support to others and are able to 'withdraw' their time when they need something done themselves. Timebanks were established in America in 1980 and are now operational across 40 countries.
For more information click here.
How Volunteer Now is supporting Time Banking
Volunteer Now, with the support of the Building Change Trust and The Atlantic Philanthropies, is supporting organisations / groups who are interested in developing or joining a time bank, by providing information opportunities to network with other interested groups and offering specific training. Volunteer Now is also planning to develop four pilot Time Banks through four volunteer centres across Northern Ireland.
If you are planning / developing a time bank with a focus on involving and supporting older people, contact Sinead Quinn, Time Banking Development Officer on 028 9023 2020 or email sinead.quinn@volunteernow.co.uk
If you are interested in developing a time bank which is not predominately focused on older people contact Colette Ruddy, Regional Manager on colette.ruddy@volunteernow.co.uk or telephone 078 5085 1828.
Time Bank Small Grants Programme (now closed - will reopen towards end of 2012)
The Small Grants Programme is funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and is aimed at groups and organisations that are interested in applying for a seed grant to support or develop a Timebank that primarily supports and involves older people to enable them to take the lead in making a positive and lasting change in their community.
Time Bank Small Grants Information Session
Details of future Information Sessions will appear on these pages in due course.
Time Banks in Northern Ireland
At the moment there is one developing time bank in Enniskillen called ‘Enniskillen Timebank’ it is based in Fermanagh House, Broadmeadow Place, Enniskillen, BT74 7HR. To find out more about the Enniskillen Time Bank contact Maeve Donaghy on 028 6605 0000 or email maeve.donaghy@volunteernow.co.uk
For a list of Time Banks which are registered with Time Banking UK click here. Time Banking UK is the umbrella charity linking and supporting time banks across the country by providing inspiration, guidance and mutual help.
Time Banking Network Sessions
The Time Bank Network sessions are designed to help interested groups to come together to share information, they also aim to provide practical support to those developing their own 'Time Bank'. It is planned that these events will happen 3-4 times per year. To register your interest in being part of the Time Bank Network contact Collette on colette.ruddy@volunteernow.co.uk or telephone 078 5085 1828.
Further Information:-
Time Banking UK is an umbrella organisation linking and supporting time banks across the UK. Since it started in 1998, it has witnessed spectacular growth. There are approximately 171 active or developing Time Banks registered with Time Banking UK.
Volunteer Now has produced an information sheet which outlines some background information on Time Banking. We also offer example start up paper work documents which you can adapt to meet the needs of your own Time Bank i.e. Time Bank Member Handbook, Member Registration Form, Time Bank Publicity Leaflet. Click here to view.
Resources
Please view our resources page for everything you will need to set up your own Time Bank.
© 2012 Volunteer Now
