Paul Wilson used to run his own business before the breakdown of his marriage precipitated a descent into alcoholism and homelessness. He’s now a trustee of Broadway, the homelessness charity that helped him turn his life around through timebanking. Here’s his story.
Time credits can be transferred between time bank members and their family and friends. Here’s how a member of Nottingham time bank used her credits to support her son’s dream of going to university.
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.
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.
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.
“Paxton Green Time Bank currently has over 200 active members, a figure which is growing weekly. We are committed to supporting the growth of time banking both in Southwark and Lambeth, and also nationally by working in partnership with Timebanking UK.”
