A heart-warming example of community support has emerged through Derbyshire Time Swap, where hours donated by a prisoners’ timebank have helped transform the lives of two socially isolated members.
Joan, who lives alone, joined Time Swap after missing the companionship of her dog but no longer being in a position to care for one herself. Around the same time, Sarah signed up looking for a way to meet new people and feel useful again.
Thanks to hours donated from prisoners from Aylesbury Timebank, the two were able to connect; and they’ve been meeting regularly since July! In a unique twist on a companionship swap, Sarah brings her dog along when she visits, giving Joan the joy of canine company alongside the benefit of friendship and conversation.
Their meet-ups have also opened new doors for Joan. With Sarah’s support, she is learning digital skills, from searching the internet to sending emails and attachments, and is growing in confidence each week.
Both women say the experience has been transformative:
- “I’ve felt more positive about things and it’s given me more confidence to stretch out to different things. Before I’d lost my confidence being disabled, and didn’t really want to go out of the house. It’s opened my world up.” – Sarah
- “It’s actually made me feel useful for once. If I’ve had a rough week, sometimes we just chat. I seem to have just connected and clicked with Joan.” – Joan
In a message of thanks, Joan also shared:
“I am making slow and steady progress on my laptop. This is about my fourth email and the first to people I do not know. I am pleased to get into this modern world.”
This inspiring story is just one example of how donated timebanking hours, even from unexpected places like prisons, can bring people together, reduce loneliness, and help individuals build skills and confidence.
Read the original story shared by Derbyshire Time Swap here.
