TIMEBANKIT: MODEL NO 7

TIME BANK MODEL: TIME NETWORK

Theory

• A flat (closed) credit system, with credits originating from the 'bank'
• All local service providers, voluntary and statutory use time banking as their currency to recognise and reward community involvement.

Practice

• The time bank is based within an existing time centre but delvelops to incorporate service providers in the wider area
• Requires an initial time audit
• Creates local consistency so that local residents see their contribution valued in the same way no matter which activity or service they are interacting with.

Factors for success

• Time is required to embed the time banking tool with local service providers
• A broad understanding and acceptance of the time banking principles, particularly of 'give and take' is necessary across all service providers

Potential problems

• Important that the use of and accounting for time credits is standardised across all agencies otherwise consistency is threatened.

Examples

Blangarw Working Mens Hall: This community centre based in the Welsh valleys is extending its time centre in order to link in with all local service providers.

TIMEBANKIT: Model No. 6

TIMEBANK MODEL : TIME CENTRE

Theory

• A fiat (closed) credit system, with credits originating from the 'bank'
• The time banking tool addresses problems of under capacity and ensures that those people taking part are actively involved.

Practice

• The time bank is based withing an existing community centre
• Requires an initial time audit of centre and all activities that take place.
• Centre is able to introduce a dual finance system with people able to pay in time credits or cash for activities that they take part in (e.g. music concerts, theatre)
• Community members are encouraged to earn time credits in a variety of ways including assisting with the running and management of existing activities or developing their own community building projects.
• Value assigned to activities is based on number of hours they take (e.g. theatrical performance is 2 hours long so costs 2 credits)

Factors for success

• This model helps to establish local community centres as true community resources
• Can assist in building attendance for activities that are currently underused

Potential problems

• Requires an existing community centre
• Requires the buy in of existing community users (both individuals and projects)

Examples

Blangarw Working Mens Hall: This community centre based in the Welsh valleys host a variety of weekly and one-off activities all of which can be paid for with cash or time credits.

TIMEBANKIT Model no.5

TIME BANK MODEL : AGENCY TO CLIENT

Theory

• A flat (closed) credit system, with credits originating from the 'bank'
• Initial time audit establishes current level of active community involvement
• Number of credits available is based in time audit and projections for future involvement

Practice

• Members earn credits for active engagement in community activites
• Credits can be cashed in for rewards
• Rewards are themed to compliment focus of work (e.g. a youth project's rewards might be exchanged for residentials or visits to sports events.)
• The awards reinforce the theme of the activity and make it possible for future learning and activity
• Aim is to look at community holistically, not to draw artifical distinctions between community and individual. Therefore a group engaged in communal environmental work would earn credits to be spent on own garden
• Brochures and leaflets are created to advertise the rewards

Factors for Success

• Community group keen to develop greater community working
• Organisations and individuals keen to complete active community audits
• Necessary time and support time available for new groups when developing the approach

Potential Problems

• Organisation may face difficulties in funding 'rewards'
• Project may initially face difficulties in expecting people to 'pay' with credits for activities that were previously free
• Time credits can develop monetary value through comparison with rewards

Examples

Valley Kids, Wales: focus on working with young people to enable them to earn credits from being engaged in generating community improvements through the 'Give and Take' club