Timebanks

Fordham Timebank in Cambridgeshire is an active and happy group. We hold regular community events to improve the village such as litter picking, bulb planting and community walks. We also host a support café in the village hall fortnightly, when restrictions allow, where members share their skills and they run a knit ‘n’ natter, karaoke and more. Local groups take the morning to raise awareness of their cause and do a talk. We work with many local organisations in the village when they need extra bodies for their projects or events and also enjoy putting on our own events. A link has been made with the Co op Fare Share to keep our community pantry stocked up.

Our membership of over 100 are a lively mix of ages and our private Facebook group is a good place to share ideas and chat. Our website blog and regular newsletter keep everyone in touch. If you would like to join us you would be very welcome – there is no commitment and if you need help we are more than happy to provide.

HOurBank gives Peckham people (and organisations or businesses) the chance to share skills and build community simply by helping one another. It’s a unique social group that runs on a simple timebanking system.

Here’s an example: Paul, a technology-prodigy, wants to spruce up his garden, but he doesn’t know the difference between a weed and a wisteria. So Paul helps Matilda advance her computer skills, and in return Matilda helps Paul with his garden. The HOurBank treats every member equally, and encourages each person to get involved in their community. The social group increases self-confidence and employability whilst enabling cultural interchange and active citizenship.

hOurBank is for people who live or work in the Peckham area. If you are interested in setting up a time bank in your area, please email info@timebanking.org.

The West Wight Timebank on the Isle of Wight is an ‘inclusive community project’, that operates under a ‘not for profit’ company called Action 4 Support CIC.
Our Timebank members, currently aged between 24 and 92 years, have been sharing their wide ranging skills and gifts with each other for over five years. We have a strong community presence in the West Wight, largely due to the schemes we run, to help us all build a stronger, more resilient Community. We have an allotment, growing produce for our ‘living box’ scheme, and for jams and pickles that go into our ‘well-being’ boxes, which are then delivered to members, their families and friends, carers, key workers and others who would like one in our community. Our members share weekly walks on our beautiful island and have open garden sessions, making up personalised ‘Family Drop and Swap bags’ with donated tinned and dried food, toys, books, games, books, jigsaws, clothing, and household goods. Following all current Government advice, the Timebank Coordinator then delivers a bag to the doorsteps of families who will find them particularly helpful at this difficult time. We also run a popular mobile, eco- friendly plastic refill scheme, and follow the principles of the circular economy. Our food redistribution scheme, which has been running for three years, has saved thousands of wrapped bread loaves from going to waste, and in summer 2021 we hope to reduce food waste further, by sharing innovative recipes for common foods, before cooking and eating together.
If you are aged 18 years and over, and live in the West Wight we would love you join us. If you live outside of the West Wight, or on the mainland, we would love to share ideas with you about building a more respectful, kinder society that demonstrates that it really isn’t just about money. Please call Sally, the West Wight Timebank founder and coordinator, on 07872 304294.