With the fastest growing population of older people in Scotland and a poorly performing labour market, many residents in Dumfries and Galloway face isolation, lack of lifestyle choices and low self-esteem.
Last week marked the launch of time banking in the region – a programme that aims to tackle these social problems and is already working successfully to enable people to live more independently, promote health and well-being and provide new connections and opportunities for both individuals and communities. Furthermore, membership to the Time Bank has led to training opportunities and the creation of new jobs.
At the Cairndale Hotel in Dumfries on Friday, Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, together with Life Care Trust, held a well-attended networking event to spread the word about the time bank concept and celebrate its achievement since it was set up earlier this year.
Funded by Putting You First, and co-ordinated from Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, Time banking works by sharing skills which are, in turn, rewarded in time credits.
Sharon Ogilvie, Regional Time Banking Co-ordinator and Project Development Officer, explained: “Time banking is all about time and not about money.
“The currency we all have equal access to is time: people are assets and all have value. In return, everyone is valued.
“Everyone has a talent of some kind and, through the Time Bank, can utilise their unique abilities by providing a service to another person and accrue credits. Every hour a person donates equates to one time credit in their bank which can be spent, saved or donated.
“For example, one person might help to decorate someone’s house and, in turn, may have their shopping delivered to them by another person.
“In the time bank, everyone is equal, irrespective of income or status; the programme is open to individuals as well as organisations; and everyone benefits.”
Penny Nowell, Joint Planning and Commissioning Manager Adult Mental Health, added: “Time banking is not a new concept. It has been running very successfully in
40 different countries including UK, USA, Australia, Japan, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Tunisia and Brazil as well as in communities across the UK. It is making a distinct difference to people’s lives.
“The concept has now taken off across Dumfries and Galloway and is growing in strength.
“At present we have 131 members across the region who have so far shared 1,800 hours and these figures continue to rise.
“The benefits of time banking to individuals has been inspiring. The programme is helping to build stronger communities by crossing the generations and resurrecting old-fashioned values of caring and sharing within neighbourhoods. We are also delighted when we hear the testimonials of members who believed they were completely valueless to society and who now feel more socially included and confident after joining the Time Bank.”
Friday’s conference was attended by organisations and individuals interested in the Time Bank programme who wanted to know more.
One of those delegates was MSP Elaine Murray who is keen to support the roll-out of the programme in the region.
She said: “I may call for a debate in Parliament to promote the benefits of time banking.
“Any concept that encourages people to help each other is a good one. Time banking offers people a role in society that they otherwise would not have. People are finding out for themselves that they are useful to their communities.
“Time banking provides a huge potential to change people’s sense of self-value and provide them a sense of belonging, confidence and pride.”
To find out more about time banking or to get involved, visit: https://timebankdg.org.uk
Annandale and Eskdale
There are already 91 Time Bank members in Annandale and Eskdale who are reaping the rewards of sharing their abilities with others in their community.
Mia Glendinning is the Time Bank broker for the area in the East of the region.
She said: “The programme has really taken off in Annandale and Eskdale. We have 40 members in Annan and 39 in Lockerbie at the moment and the numbers are growing daily.”
The Time Banks of Lockerbie and Annan have very active programmes with walks, cinema clubs, coffee mornings, art and craft groups and social meetings all geared towards recruiting new members, sharing skills and earning time credits.
“The pupils of Lockerbie Academy recently met with members of the Stroke Support Group. Not only did they exchange skills, but also got to know each other and enjoy their time together,” said Mia.
“Time banking is an inter-generational concept where all members, regardless of age, can benefit from one another.”
Twice a week in St Andrew’s Church Hall, Annan, for the past six years, Kate’s Kitchen’s volunteers have provided a good, hot homemade meal and a friendly welcome to vulnerable people with health or housing issues from in or around the town.
The charity was one of the first organisations in the area to join the Time Bank.
Project manager Janette Waddell said: “Kate’s Kitchen has 27 volunteers who are all banking hours.
“We have so far banked 400 hours between us which we will be able to spend on necessities.
“As an organisation, time banking has allowed us to deliver our services better. We survive on donations and grant funding. With limited resources and such a lot to do, time banking has been a life saver.”
Stewartry and Wigtownshire
Steve Lane, of Dalbeattie, volunteers as a Time Bank broker, working closely with the Dalbeattie Community Initiative. His remit is to spread the word about time banking and get more people involved.
A former mental health nurse, Steve is a living testament to the benefits of joining the Time Bank.
He explained: “I was living a totally isolated existence until I joined the Time Bank and shared my skills in IT. The quality of my life has improved tremendously and I feel I have purpose again. If I can help others achieve the same, then I believe I’m doing a good job.
“Nowadays, especially with an increasing elderly population, there are a lot of lonely people out there. I hope time banking will fix this.
“It is people who are the driving force of their communities and there is no need in this day and age for anyone to feel isolated and alone. We all have different skills and abilities and by sharing these we benefit from feelings of inclusion, self-respect and confidence.”
On the back of the success of the Stewartry initiative, a time banking programme will be rolled out in Wigtownshire.
Third Sector, Dumfries and Galloway are holding an open day at Burns House on October 3 from 1pm and 3.30pm where Sharon Ogilvie will be promoting time banking. Everyone is welcome.
Nithsdale
The Time Bank has been responsible for creating new jobs and training opportunities for the residents of Kelloholm.
Time Bank broker at Action for Children, Amanda Dunsmuir, said: “Time banking has worked well in Kelloholm. We have seen a real progression since it was introduced six months ago at Action for Children and have witnessed how it has built confidence and self-esteem in our members.
“Through dealing with support workers and organisations in the vicinity, we have a number of successful stories to tell.
“A good example of how time banking works well is in the story of Sean, a young man who had trouble with making positive choices and ended up with a tagging order. His confidence was knocked further after he was turned down for a delivery assistant’s job. He joined the Time Bank and accrued his credits through cutting grass for the church.
“He was then able to use his credits by learning numeracy skills from a retired teacher, also on the Time Bank.
“He now has training certificates in First Aid, Manual Handling, Sharps and Needlesticks and Brush and Cutter Trimming which helped him gain new skills for job opportunities.
“His volunteering work further helped him to receive on-going support for filling out forms and job applications and he has applied to join the Army.
“His experience is being reflected in the successes of a number of our Time Bank members, some of whom have secured permanent jobs.”
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