Richmond Fellowship’s Our Time community based time bank works with individuals affected by mental ill health already living in their own homes to receive assistance with day-to-day tasks and activities, such as learning new skills, recreational activities and social interaction.
Our timebanking service promotes social inclusion and empowers individuals by making the individuals feel valued as they are able to share their skills with others and learn new skills themselves.
Timebanking also has a beneficial effect on both mental and physical health.
We have monthly coffee socials where people can meet and some ‘trading’ of skills can be arranged – with Community Links Advisors maintaining regular contact with individuals.
Individuals are actively encouraged to deposit and withdraw time and are coached into re-discovering skills they may not have had the chance to practice regularly.
The timebank is an excellent model of co-production. It has members as opposed to service users and a steering group comprised of staff and members. Members share skills including home repairs, music lessons, travel buddying, decluttering, gardening, media and podcasting, painting and cooking. Timebanking activities take place face to face and online.
Any skill can be exchanged and the only currency is time. Exchanging skills helps improve mental health and wellbeing through connecting, giving, learning, taking notice or being active thereby incorporating the 5 ways to wellbeing.
Richmond Fellowship is part of Recovery Focus, a group of charities with the shared aim to Inspire Recovery Together www.recoveryfocus.org.uk
Head Office: 80 Holloway Road London N7 8JG
Tel: 020 7697 3300 Fax: 020 7697 3301
Design by Yopp
Company Registration Number: 662712
Registered Charity Number: 200453
