The Time Exchange Newcastle, a community Time Bank which encourages local residents to exchange skills and services, is celebrating having received a grant worth over £28,000. The two year grant to allow the charity to stay open five days a week has been made by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales through its Community programme. During 2009 the Foundation has made nine grants to charities across Tyne and Wear worth over £223,000.
Based in the Arthur’s Hill area of Newcastle, Time Exchange, runs a system for individuals to provide their time and effort in return for volunteer credits, which can then be used to access the skills and services offered by other members. Current members, whose ages range from 14-80, provide services which include pet care, English language classes and supervised homework help.
Funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation will support the salary and operating costs that will allow the Exchange to operate a full five day a week service. The charity expects to bring about over 3,000 time exchanges each year as well as providing a drop in advice and support service for its members.
Theresa Ball, manager at Time Exchange, commented, “For some of the most disadvantaged in the community, who cannot afford mainstream services the Time Exchange provides essential support and provides a means to get involved in the local community. We also help many of our members go on to achieve formal qualifications for the skills they share or have learnt at the Time Exchange.
Lloyds TSB Foundation grant manager, Peter Ellis added, “There is a great tradition in Tyne and Wear of community involvement. Time Banking is an effective and innovative way to get people involved, especially those from disadvantaged or marginalised communities. The Foundation is delighted to support the Time Exchange’s work in the city.”
If you would like to find out more about the time banking or are interested in becoming a member of the Time Exchange, please contact Theresa Ball on 0191 245 0663 or info@thetimeexchange.org
