Giving Time Instead of Money Proves Rewarding
January 07 2008
Time is money, as one volunteering group in South Birmingham has discovered. Donate an hour of your time and you will receive an hour of someone else’s time free of charge and with no money exchanging hands.
Bournville Village Trust Housing Association has set up a ‘Time Bank’, www.bvt.org.uk/timebank, which operates just like a bank but without any money, just deposits and withdrawals of time. The national initiative operates for the benefit of the community.
The Bournville Time Bank, which is only the second of its kind in the Midlands, will be officially launched on Friday 25th January at 7pm at the Community Centre, Green Meadow Road, Shenley Green.
26 years old Robert Clement is a firm supporter of the Bournville Time Bank. He said: "I have already credited my account with lots of hours by volunteering for projects ranging from cooking for senior citizens to helping out at youth clubs and other events." In return, Robert has attended a first aid course and received help filling in the forms for a youth opportunity fund grant which he says will help pay for his Open University Degree. "When I get a flat the Time Bank will hopefully be able to help me decorate it." He added.
The Bournville Time Bank is funded by Bournville Village Trust Housing Association, Birmingham City Council, the Big Lottery, the European Union and Community Networking. Anyone who wants any information on the Bournville Time Bank can contact Gurdeep Sembi Tel: 0121 270 0982.
