Let's start a time bank in Portobello

[LJP]

I am widening the message - an abridged version of this is in the Portobello reporter.

Please read on and please come to a meeting at Portobello Library on Thursday 15 March at 6.30 to learn more about time banking. To make it work we will need people prepared to be on a steering group and also, of course, people needing help from others and willing to share their own skills.

Time Banking is a way of exchanging skills, knowledge and experiences and at the same time creating a more integrated community where everyone’s time is equally valued.

It is based on the simple principle that for every hour of time a person contributes to help someone else they receive the equivalent in time credits. These time credits are stored and then exchanged for services from others. For example - if you help someone for an hour decorating their home, you can ‘buy’ an hour of someone helping you - let’s say - teaching you to cook. It’s that simple! And it works for any service or talent you can offer.

Time Banking is not volunteering or charity. It is an opportunity for all ages and backgrounds to give and receive all sorts of services, such as listening and visiting, gardening and form filling, or sharing skills in music, knitting and using computers, to simple repairs, ironing and running errands. (Certain services are excluded such as childcare, babysitting and personal care.)

Remember it only works if you are prepared to receive as well as give!

With Time Banking, everyday acts of kindness are recognised as the important contribution they are to everyone’s wellbeing. Timebanking works from the principle that EVERYONE has something to offer - you might surprise yourself....