James Ryan, Author at Timebanking UK

Timebanking UK Awarded Grant from Garfield Weston to Strengthen Community Support

Timebanking UK Awarded Grant from Garfield Weston to Strengthen Community Support

We’re pleased to share that Timebanking UK has been awarded a generous grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation. This support is a significant vote of confidence in our work to empower communities across the UK, strengthening connections and enabling people to exchange time and skills where everyone’s hour is valued equally. With over 6.7 million hours of help and support already exchanged through timebanking, this grant will allow us to continue making a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Strengthening Community Support Through Timebanking

Sarah Bird, CEO of Timebanking UK, said: “Garfield Weston’s investment in Timebanking UK is a powerful endorsement of how the timebanking movement is making a real difference. This support will help us build on our work and strengthen capacity.”

We hope this recognition from such a well-respected organisation will encourage more businesses and organisations to explore how they can be part of this growing movement, demonstrating that every person has value and something to contribute.

Get Involved: How You Can Support Timebanking UK

At the heart of timebanking is the belief that communities thrive when people recognise their own skills, see where they are needed, and contribute to something bigger than themselves. This grant will help us to strengthen our support for existing time banks while exploring new ways to reach even more people.

If you’re looking for a way to make a meaningful difference in your community, whether as an organisation, business, or individual, we’d love to explore how we can work together.

Thank you to the Garfield Weston Foundation for their support and belief in the power of timebanking. We’re excited for what’s ahead. Stay connected with Timebanking UK for updates on our new initiatives, including the upcoming timebanking app and ways to get involved in your local area.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from Timebanking UK

Merry Christmas to you and yours from Timebanking UK!

4TH WORLD REPORT OF TIME BANKS Now published

4TH WORLD REPORT OF TIME BANKS

“What is at stake with time banks — as exercises in the ‘economy of favors,’ as defined in Spain, or alternative transformative collaborative economies, or any other adjective used to describe a time-based exchange mechanism — is breaking the illusion that only money can generate wealth.”
– Humberto Salazar, Asociacion Ibero-Americana de Bancos de Tiempo (ASIBDT)

This powerful insight is shared in the 4TH WORLD REPORT OF TIME BANKS, published by ASIBDT to celebrate 25 years of British Time Banks. ASIBDT President Julio Gisbert writes:

“The report is presented in three languages—Spanish, Portuguese, and English—where Time Banks from around the world have collaborated, foretelling what I hope will be a productive and fruitful collaboration among all of us in favor of this philosophy and this unstoppable movement for social and community cohesion and citizen empowerment.”

The report can be found with our other research publications here

TBUK CEO letter to the Guardian: Timebanking: A Practical Tool for Rebuilding Community Trust and Supporting Social Mobility

Timebanking: A Practical Tool for Rebuilding Community Trust and Supporting Social Mobility

In light of the recent unrest and the acts of violence that have shaken communities across the country, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. The events have brought into sharp focus the importance of community cohesion, mutual support, and the need to rebuild trust amongst neighbours and across generations.

I recently penned a letter to The Guardian highlighting how timebanking can serve as a powerful tool in this rebuilding process. In that letter, I emphasise that timebanking offers a practical and sustainable way to foster mutual support, trust, and opportunity, particularly for our young people who have been deeply affected by the recent turmoil.

I call on policymakers and community leaders to consider timebanking as part of a broader strategy to rebuild our communities, proposing the launch of a Social Mobility Programme that leverages timebanking to create equitable opportunities for youth. This initiative would aim to break down barriers and provide young people with the skills and support they need to thrive, thereby contributing to a more just and cohesive society.

As time bank coordinators, you are in a unique position to play a pivotal role in this effort. By encouraging the exchange of time and skills within your communities, you help to create networks of support that can bridge divides, reduce isolation, and foster a renewed sense of trust and solidarity. This work is more important now than ever.

We also encourage you to help spread this important message. Feel free to edit and share the letter with your local news outlets, community newsletters, and via your social media channels. Your voice can amplify the impact of timebanking in rebuilding trust and supporting social mobility in our communities.

You can read and download the full letter here, and it is enclosed below:

Dear Editor,

The recent unrest has highlighted the fragility of our communities and the strength that can emerge when people come together. As we reflect on how to rebuild in the wake of these events, it is essential to focus on practical, sustainable methods that foster mutual support, trust, and opportunity for all, particularly for our younger generation.

Timebanking offers a proven approach to achieving this. By allowing individuals to exchange time and skills on an equal basis, timebanking strengthens community ties and empowers people to contribute meaningfully to their neighbourhoods. As these exchanges take place, people from diverse backgrounds come to see the humanity and inherent value of others in their wider communities. This creates networks of reciprocal support that are particularly resilient during times of crisis.

Importantly, timebanking values everyone’s contributions equally, regardless of background or circumstance. This is especially powerful for young people, many of whom have faced significant challenges in recent years. Disruptions to education and the emotional toll of these events have had a profound impact on their academic attainment and overall well-being. Reduced social mobility among young people undermines societal cohesion, economic prosperity, and the principles of fairness and opportunity, while stifling innovation and under-utilising talent.

Timebanking UK proposes the launch of a Social Mobility Programme designed to create equitable opportunities for young people through the principles of timebanking. By facilitating the exchange of skills and services, timebanking fosters a sense of community, reduces isolation, and improves well-being. This model is perfectly placed to enable young people to overcome barriers and realise their full potential, contributing to a more just and cohesive society.

As we look towards national renewal, I urge those in positions of influence to consider timebanking as part of the solution. It is a model that has worked in communities across the UK and beyond, and it could play a vital role in helping us rebuild trust, solidarity, and opportunity in these challenging times.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Bird

CEO, Timebanking UK

Timebanking UK Achieves Cyber Essentials Plus Certification: Ensuring Trust and Security for Our Members

We are thrilled to announce that Timebanking UK has achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to providing a safe and secure experience for our members, partners and supporters. This certification demonstrates our dedication to upholding the highest standards of cybersecurity and data protection, ensuring that our members can engage in timebanking activities with confidence and peace of mind.

Cyber Essentials Plus is a rigorous certification scheme developed by the UK government to help organisations protect against common cyber threats. Achieving this certification requires undergoing an independent assessment of our cybersecurity measures, including testing of systems and controls to ensure they meet the required standards.

Sarah Bird, CEO of Timebanking UK, expressed her enthusiasm about this achievement, stating, “At Timebanking UK, the security and privacy of our members are paramount. Achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification reaffirms our commitment to maintaining a safe and trusted environment for our members to connect, collaborate, and make a positive impact in their communities. We hope this achievement demonstrates to potential corporate partners that Timebanking UK is of high calibre, ensuring that collaborations with us are not only meaningful but also conducted with the utmost professionalism and security.”

Guiding us through this comprehensive process was James Ryan from The Idea Agency, whose expertise and dedication were instrumental in successfully navigating the complexities of Cyber Essentials Plus certification. James commented, “It was a pleasure working with Timebanking UK on their journey to Cyber Essentials Plus compliance. This certification not only demonstrates their commitment to cybersecurity but also positions them as a reliable and professional organisation for potential collaborators.”

Our Cyber Essentials Plus certification signifies our adherence to essential cybersecurity practices, including secure configuration, boundary firewalls, access control, and more. By achieving this certification, we reinforce our dedication to protecting the personal information of our stakeholders and ensuring the integrity and availability of our timebanking platform.

For our current and prospective members, this certification provides assurance that Timebanking UK takes their security seriously and is continuously investing in measures to safeguard their data. It also opens up new opportunities for collaboration with businesses and organisations that prioritise cybersecurity and risk mitigation in their partnerships.

As we celebrate this achievement, we extend our gratitude to our members for their continued trust and support. Together, we will continue to empower communities, foster connections, and create positive social change through the power of timebanking.

6th Annual International Timebanking day

The theme of International Timebanking Day, 23rd March 2024, was the power of connection to heal the world. As always it was an uplifting and enlightening celebration, with participants from all corners of the globe. Hosted by Timebanking UK CEO, Sarah Bird and TimeBanks.Org CEO, Krista Wyatt, the event saw an exchange of innovative timebanking ideas and experiences. Every year our movement grows – and International Timebanking Day is a testament to the global community making that happen through its commitment to fostering reciprocity, building communities, and creating social cohesion.

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