Time
Banks UK: what we do and who we are
What we do
Time Banks UK is a network organisation that supports the growth and
development of time banking around the UK. It promotes and practices the core
values of time banking:
- all people are assets
- building community is work that needs to be valued and rewarded
- giving and receiving are equally important - everyone has something to
offer, and everyone needs a helping hand sometimes
- strengthening social networks creates healthy neighbourhoods and
cultivates community spirit.
At the heart of time banking practice is equality one hour is equal for
everybody. An hour of helping out at a community event is equal to an hour of
legal advice. An hour of childcare is equal to an hour of Internet tuition.
Time banking is a tool for community involvement rooted in equality, that
offers a potent, adaptable means to tackle social injustice. As Edgar Cahn,
the originator of the time banking concept says: Why not reward decency and
caring?
Time Banks UK:
- Offers outreach support to individuals and groups who want to set up a
time bank.
- Provides training on time banking.
- Stages a national conference.
- Distributes a time banking manual, a free starter pack, and Timekeeper
software manual on the practicalities of running a time bank.
- Shares information through this website, newsletter, email group, by
telephone and email.
- Facilitates a regional network of mentors to support time banking
regionally.
- Raises awareness of time banking through press and publicity.
- Campaigns at policy level on issues that affect time banks, such as the
benefits implications of time banking.
- Promotes best practice and quality standards.
- Encourages safe, satisfying time exchanges.
(Time Banks UK is a registered body with the Criminal Records Bureau and
has safety guidelines for exchanges.)
Who we are
Time Banks UK is a consortium of four partners: Time banking pioneers Fair
Shares (Gloucester), the Gorbals Initiative (Glasgow), think and do tank the
New Economics Foundation (London ) and Valley Kids (Rhondda).
We receive funding from the Home Office Active Community Unit, the
Community Fund, and the Nationwide Foundation.
There are two full time staff:
- Joy Robinson, Outreach in England, based at Fair Shares, and
- Karen Smith, Network Development Manager, based at the New Economics
Foundation
and three part time staff
- Colin McGowan, Outreach in Scotland, based at the Gorbals Initiative
- Geoff Thomas, Outreach in Wales, based at Valley Kids
- Martin Simon, Coordinator for the Community Fund work, based at Fair
Shares.
A regional network of mentors exists to support time banking at a more
local level (see the Projects page for more details). The regional network
informs and directs the work of Time Banks UK through meetings and at other
events, such as the national conference.
Time Banks UK is currently being structured as a company limited by
guarantee and will be seeking charitable status.
How we are managed
An advisory group meets quarterly to look at the strategic direction of the
organisation. We actively seek to involve time brokers and others passionate
about time banking in the advisory group, and to reflect the diversity of the
communities that participate in time banks. The advisory group includes people
with expertise in community economic development, mental health services,
black volunteering, social enterprises, IT, evaluation, journalism,
complementary currencies, community activism, central and local government
policy and practice, and marketing.
There are currently 15 people (excluding staff) on the advisory group, 6 of
whom are time brokers.
If you would like to participate in the advisory group please email
[email protected] for more
information.