Timebanking Works. For Young People

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1 Timebanking Works For Young People

2 What is timebanking? Timebanking is a way for people to work together and learn new skills by helping others. Everyone has something to offer and for evey hour you put in, you earn an hour s credit that you can spend on training or coaching, even tickets to events. All skills are worth the same in a timebank. It s a fair trade of your time that gives you an opportunity to build on talents you already have and discover new ones that can help you get where you want to be. Here s how it looks... Youth club members make a roof garden for the community centre The community centre let Jared use their Apple Mac every Tuesday, learning design skills LEARN MARTIAL ARTS The martial arts teacher gives coaching to the youth club members HERE Jared designs a poster for the martial arts teacher Young people who have been involved in timebanking have found their skills and confidence have improved and the way they feel about themselves has changed for the better.

3 It s not EDUCATION but you can learn new skills... Try new things out like food growth, graphic design or carpentry. See what you enjoy, what you re good at and develop it with support from others. It s not a JOB but you can earn an hour s credit for every hour you put in. You can spend that credit on training, cinema tickets, gym passes, event tickets - even things like studio time or martial arts training. The more you put in, the more you take out. You could even manage your own project, earn respect from others, make your own choices and get yourself into a good position to choose what you want from employment - and know how to get there.

4 This pack was created by TImebanking UK 2011 North Westminster Youth Timebank Leaps Forward Youth Timebank Bellingham and Brighter Futures Youth Timebank Eco Stars Youth Timebank

5 What can timebanking achieve? Timebanking is a method for achieving co-production*. In this case, it means engaging people by identifying their skills, using those skills to help others and recognising their value through a system of time credits. In this way timebank members gain an opportunity to develop their skills and interests while earning useful time credits which can be spent on receiving training and other rewards, all at one hour for one hour. This simple crediting system can make a massive difference to the confidence and wellbeing of the people involved. Timebanking UK piloted 5 timebanks to work with young people over 2 years. The information in this pack is based upon the results of those pilots % 90% HOURS EXCHANGED BY ECO STARS TIMEBANK HAVE LEARNT NEW SKILLS FOR THE WORK PLACE HAVE IMPROVED CONFIDENCE & SELF ESTEEM 50% 85% OF YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IMPROVED THEIR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL FEEL VALUED & USEFUL BY THEIR COMMUNITIES *You can read more about co-production in the publication People Can, free to download at

6 Timebanking UK Timebanking UK is the national umbrella charity linking and supporting timebanks across the UK by providing inspiration, guidance and practical help. Timebanking UK members can access: - Training - through our regional networks we provide training for new and established timebanks and brokers. - Time Online - our web-based software package allows you to log all member activity, keep all balances up to date, see your most popular exchanges and even exchange with other timebanks. - The new Youth Network, run by and for young people involved in timebanking. - Support with funding. We offer funding workshops to help you indentify the right funder for your timebank and how best to approach them. - A website template to personalise and develop.

7 Thinking of setting up a timebank? You may want to consider... - Starting with a conversation. What problems do you want to solve, what goals do you want to achieve and how will a timebank assist you? Timebanks work best when they have a clear purpose and a route to achieving it. - Identifying the demand. Talk to the people you think would be interested in being involved. Find out what their skills and interests are, as well as what they would like to spend their credits on. The sky s the limit. Sort of. It s good to get a clear idea of members goals. - Brainstorming local organisations who might be able to provide opportunities and resources to your timebank and its members. - Prospective members who can help run the timebank. You ll need help with admin, graphic design, marketing... Your members will have skills that you (and they) might not know about. This is what co-production is all about. - A broker / developer - who s going to do this? Maybe you need a paid broker, maybe you don t. If you do, funding will be useful...

8 Full versions of the useful bits below, along with other information and help with starting a timebank, are available from... Skills & Needs Questionnare Skills Need help Can help Joining Form Name: Date of Birth: What are you interested in getting involved with? Are there skills that you d like to learn? Shopping Typing Budgeting Sewing Knitting Woodwork Metalwork Being a DJ Entertaining Films & Video Brokers sign here x Time Bank Credit