Back to index of Nerve 22 - Summer 2013

Forget the Big Society! Timebanking is the way to move forward

By Val Price

Growing up in post-war Liverpool, when austerity really meant austerity, I recall a happy childhood and one surrounded by family, friends and neighbours who would readily support and help each other out. They didn't need to be asked; they just did it.

My dad made stilts for all the kids in our street out of bits of left-over wood. My mum 'lent' a cake to her neighbour who had 'important' guests coming round. (The cake was returned three hours later untouched, but having served its purpose as an impressive table centre-piece!)

And the list of anecdotes could go on and on. Basically we had what 'experts' today would call social cohesion.

I created Proud of Liverpool in 2009 because having been a Capital of Culture 2008 volunteer I was fired up to do something positive about the city I love but still had the four poorest districts in the UK.

As a city we were so proud of what 2008 achieved for the city's image and particularly for the city centre itself. However there was still clearly much to be done in the areas outside the centre. I wanted to galvanise the people who, I knew in my heart, were ready and willing to go back to the 'old ways' of helping and supporting each other but - and this may sound odd - had forgotten how to do it!

So what is Timebanking? Well it's quite simply an exchange of skills in which the 'currency' is time and not money. My hour is the same value as your time. It's open to everyone regardless of age, ability, religion, race and is set up by the community for the community. Everyone has some 'skills' that are valued and everyone has something to offer.

Jean wants some repairs - hem, buttons on - Irene offers to do that. Jean would like home made cakes...Tom makes cakes, ....so he bakes for Jean. Irene needs to go for a hospital appointment - so Fred gives her a lift ...now who can help him to fill in some forms? Maybe Tom? What can Fred receive... maybe gardening - his garden certainly needs some TLC.

One true story that I find really illustrates what timebanking is about is about is a lady who had a terminal illness and was bed-bound at home. Local timebank members (please note members not volunteers) came in each day to do small tasks to help her, such as, opening the curtains and picking weeds in her garden. She struggled to think of any way she could give back to the timebank until she hit on the idea of telephoning other lonely and isolated people. With help from the timebank she created a list of new 'friends' and called them each day to talk about the weather, what was on the TV or in the news... or sometimes just to listen.

Toxteth Time Bank is open so why not call in and check out how you can get involved and to make a difference. You could end up helping youngsters benefit from new experiences or help people to add to their skills and improve their employment prospects. Remember we can all make a difference and we all have skills!

We have started in Toxteth, but we want this to go City wide so if you want to start one or become a member - do let us know.

Toxteth Time Bank is at John Archer Hall, 1st floor, 68 Upper Hill Street, Liverpool, L8 1YR
Tues/Wed 11.00 a.m. to 2p.m.
Thurs 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

To find out more about the Toxteth Timebank or if you want to help set up your own, contact Val Price on 07590 928 951, www.proudofliverpool.com you can also contact her through Facebook or check out her blog.

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Comments:

Comment left by Tracey Dunn on 8th July, 2013 at 5:24
Time Bank has recently moved to John Archer Hall, 1st floor, 68 Upper Hill Street, Liverpool, L8 1YR. Phone 07590928951

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