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
Since the onset of the pandemic, Ann Holloway of Fauldhouse and Breich Valley (better known as FAB) Timebank has found she’s had to change the way she works.