Sally is the coordinator of West Wight Time Bank, the UK’s most southerly time bank – and the only one on an island. She tells us how timebanking can help everyone find skills they can offer to others.
Isle of Wight: everyone has something to offer
Settle: Everyone can get involved with timebanking
Sawston: Getting to know your neighbours
Scotland: Fiona and Frances team up
New time bank opened in Winchester
52 volunteers were there, along with the leader of the council to welcome the latest project which is allied with the NHS Trust in Winchester.
Help after a major surgery
After having major bowel surgery, I realised that I had limited capacity to undertake every day normal tasks and my mobility was limited. I approached Action for Children service for support in relation to benefits advice, and whilst there I noticed a poster advertising the More Nosh for Dosh group. As cooking was a passion of mine and the venue was close to my home, I was able to attend.
I have been attending the More Nosh 4 Dosh sessions for 8 months. I was approached by Amanda in October about Volunteering through Timebanking. I have since been supporting families at the group to make meals on a budget, and I was approached to do a small buffet for senior management within Action for Children on the 8th January. I have now banked enough hours on Timebank to look for help with decorating at home. Amanda had spoken to me and suggested that I use my credits by advertising on the Action or Children notice board for a decorator. A match was found the following week and I have now secured a date for other Timebank members to complete the work for me.
I am pleased with the service that I have been given through Timebank and I now have the confidence to approach other community members about what they could gain from Volunteering opportunities.