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The South Westminster Timebank

@ The Abbey Centre




How Timebanking works.
What Timebank offers to communities.
Story of the South Westminster Timebank.
The Benefits of timebanking in south Westminster.
Achievements of the South Westmister Timebank.
Case Study from Timebanker to helping the
community.
Traditional Volunteering/Timebanking a comparison
Timebanking and volunteering how it can work
together.




Contents

Edgar Cahn invented Timebanking in America (1980s)
A way to help others by exchanging skills or knowledge
Everyone is an asset
For every hour given, 1 hour received = Time Credit
Time credits can be spent on local activities or members
skills/knowledge
Timebanking was brought to the UK in 1998 by Martin Simon who set
up the Rushey Green Timebank.





How Timebanking works?
Whats a time bank?


Timebanking is a tool by which a group of people can create an alternative economic model where
they exchange their time and skills, rather than aquire goods and services through the use of
money or other state-backed value.





How Timebanking works?
Person to
Person
Organisation
to
Organisation
Person to
Organisation




What Timebanking offers Our Communities
A means to
connect & bring
the community
together
A means for
people to earn
exchangeable
value by
volunteering
A means for
residents &
organisations to
supplement cash
budgets
A means to increase
access to
projects/services as
time credits used in
lieu of cash
A means for the
communitys skills
& resources to
gain value and
recognition




Story of The South Westminster
Timebank








South Westminster
Action Network
(SWAN) and London
Early Years
Foundation (LEYF)
were commissioned
by the Daycare
Trust to pilot a
Timebank for 6
months
The South
Westminster
Timebank
operated in the
Childrens Centre
in Marsham Street
aimed solely at
parents who
accessed LEYF
and SWAN.
80 members
signed up to the
Timebank within 6
months. Half of
the members are
users of LEYF &
Children Centres
in south
Westminster
After the success
of the pilot project
SWTB was
awarded a further
3 years funding
and moved into
The Abbey Centre
The decision was
taken to open
the access to
SWTB to connect
the whole
community
through a
geographical
boundary
Over 150
members and
3500+ hours of
time exchanges
were
accumulated
by year 2.
The Abbey Centre
Volunteering
Project and SWTB
coalesce and
have achieved
over 5000+ hours
of time exchanges
and 200 members.
July 2011
Dec 2012
Dec 2013
Oct 2014
Mar 2013




Benefits of Timebanking in south
Westminster?


Wellbeing
Co-production
Community
Cohesion




Achievements of the South
Westminster Timebank





Over 20 Local
Organisation have used
or contributed to SWTB
activities or exchanges.
60% of Timebank
members who are over
50+ have learnt to access
local services through the
internet from our
computer sessions.
We supported Timebank
Members to develop their
skills and 8 members
became mentors for our
regular drop - in sessions
From April 2013 to March
2014 we manage to
accumulate 1000 hours in
time exchanges.
Since April, 33 of The
Abbey Centre volunteers,
have become actively
involved in the Timebank.

Local resident who loves computers.
Joined the Timebank June 2013.
Did a number of time exchanges helping
members use computers.
July 2013 became a mentor and started
running the computer drop-in sessions.
Also runs the computer drop-in sessions at
Westminster Mind.
Has accumulated over 200 hours of time
exchanges.




Case Study From Timebanker to
helping the community
Lars Hedin Timebank member/ Mentor
Quotes from members about Lars:
Once again, this session with Lars, have help me
solve a lot of problem, and find it a great help.




Traditional Volunteering/Timebanking
a comparison
Fixed time &
location
No time credits
earned

Volunteers build a
relationship with
an organisation
Volunteers
receive
development &
training
Traditional
Volunteering
Time exchanges
flexible & can
take place at a
time mutually
convenient
Time credits
supplement cash
to spend on
activities/ services
in local area
Opportunity to
build relationships
in local
community
Members offer
existing
skills/knowledge
TimeBanking



Timebanking and volunteering how
it can work together?
If the member does not want to spend the time credits they can donate them to a
member in need .
Volunteers/Timebank members can spend there time credits at other local organisations
projects and activities, or to exchange a skill from another Timebank member.
Volunteers/Timebank members accumulated time credits through volunteering at the
local organisations signed up to the Timebank.
Local organisations sharing volunteers through the SWTB as it makes it easier for local
organisations to reduce time in recruiting.
Organisation to organisation timebanking reduces cost and maximises local resources.




Any Questions?

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