Timebanking in Surrey

Creating the 'Time for Surrey' Network

Surrey County Council is teaming up with the national charity Timebanking UK to support the creation of a network of 'time banks' across Surrey.

Timebanking enables exchanges to take place within a community without the need for money, so it's a great flexible way to get to know people and help each other out in the community by giving as much or as little as you can.

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What is a time bank?

A time bank is a system that allows people to exchange their time and skills in return for 'time credits' to spend with others in the community. Everyone's time is valued equally and one hour of help earns one credit.

All sorts of things can be exchanged through a time bank. Here are just a few examples:

Gardening
Shopping
Dog walking
Learning or teaching an instrument
Learning or teaching a language
Cooking

There are always participants who are able to earn more credits than others. They can donate some of their credits to fellow members, or to a community pot and "top up" other accounts.

Timebanking is not a replacement for services but time banks can help fill gaps that were perhaps traditionally filled by extended family and neighbours.

How does it work?

Timebanking is open to people of all ages, abilities, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Individuals, groups or organisations can sign up to become members of their local time bank, or can help plan and create a new local time bank.

A 'time broker' will chat with each new member to find out more about them, what they can offer to others and what they would like to receive in exchange for their time.

The time broker helps members make exchanges and introduces them to a simple website where members can add and search offers or requests directly, if they feel able to do so.

Exchanges are recorded and each member has their own account showing how many time credits they have earned and spent.

Timebanks also hold social events to give members the opportunity to get to know each other. It's a great way to meet new people.

It's that simple!

Surrey Timebanks

If you are interested in joining a Timebank then please contact one of the Surrey Timebanks using the details below.

East Surrey Timebank

The Hub, 41 High Street, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1RX

Telephone: 07519179082

Email: eastsurreytimebank@gmail.com

Farnham Area Timebank

Sandy Hill Community Bungalow, 130 Upper Hale Road, Surrey GU9 0LH

Telephone: 07414 889825

Email: farnhamareatimebank@gmail.com

Godalming Timebank

Busbridge and Hambledon Church, Church Cottage, Brighton Road, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XA

Telephone: 01483 421 267

Email: timebank@bhcgodalming.org

Guildford Timebank

Voluntary Action South West Surrey, 39 Castle Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3UQ

Telephone: 01483 504626

Email: i.ross@vasws.org.uk

Spelthorne Timebank

Staines Congregational Church, Stainash Crescent, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 1AY

Telephone: 07412 900756

Email: time4spelthorne@gmail.com

Surrey Heath and Borders Timebank

Voluntary Support North Surrey, Ian Goodchild Centre, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3SY

Telephone: 07450 800419

Email: contactus@surreyheathtimebank.org.uk

Woking Timebank

Parkview Centre, Recreation Ground, Blackmore Crescent, Woking, Surrey GU21 5NZ

Telephone: 01483 751456

Email: elspeth@wavs.org.uk

If there is not a Surrey Timebank listed in your area, please contact thomas.davis@surreycc.gov.uk to find out if a Timebank is due to start up near you.

Our vision

Our vision is to work with individuals, groups and organisations who are interested in creating local time banks that:

help more young people get actively involved in their neighbourhood
remove barriers for young people to take part in education, training or employment
enable more older people to live independently at home in their community for longer
connect people with each other to reduce social isolation and loneliness
improve wellbeing for all, making Surrey an even better place to live

What is needed to create a time bank?

Each time bank is different but there are some key things to help a time bank get going:

A group of committed individuals or organisations working together
A time-broker or a number of time-brokers sharing the work
Software and a website – in Surrey this will be provided free of charge by Timebanking UK
A physical location where the time-broker can sit and meet with members
Basic IT and telephone equipment
Resources for local marketing – Surrey County Council and Timebanking UK can support time banks to promote themselves
Policies and procedures to make sure everything runs smoothly – these will be provided free of charge by Timebanking UK

In summer 2015, Surrey County Council will launch a small fund to support the start up of time banks. Applicants can apply for up to £700 to cover costs such as equipment (computer, mobile phone or internet access), printing for promotional materials, petty cash and any additional stationery items.

Want to find out more?

Visit Timebanking UK for more information.