Clapham Park Timebank

• A mutual (open) credit system, where credit exists between agency/organisation and person
• Time bank is situated within an employment setting, with membership of the time bank open to employees, staff, students, etc
• Activity may be themed around particular needs of agency leading the time bank or may be more focused on meeting personal needs of staff/employees
• Using time banking tool to create learning organisations

Practice

• To develop a pool of staff who can recognise and develop a wider range of skills than those required directly for their job role
• The time banking tool is a mechanism for creating 'learning organisations' by providing a framework that enables individuals to enhance their professional and personal development and build social and professional networks
• A broker works with individuals and organisations to identify skills and resources that they have, and those they need access to or wish to develop for themselves

Factors for Success

• A core group of individuals and organisations interested in becoming involved
• Everyone involved must have something they need and something they can give

Potential Problems

• important for staff to recognise and receive personal benefits to ensure the time bank doesn't become a way to get more out of people
• wide mix of skills and resources, possibly themed around specific outcomes e.g. personal development, training

Examples from London

Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery 'Time and Talent' bank:

Currently in development this project would use the time banking tool to develop a pool of people who can exchanges expertise, extend and enhance the range and flexibility of programmes that the school can offer.

# posted by Clapham Park TimeBank @ 9:11 PM