Former MP Deidre Brock speaks on the value of time banks

Presenter: In the House of Commons recently, a declaration of support for time banks. Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith, Deidre Brock.

Deidre Brock (House of Commons, Feb. 27, 2024): I was reflecting ahead of this debate about where and how we find community and how that might have changed over the years. In recent decades, many of the traditional sites and sources of community have become fragmented or have disappeared entirely.

[00:00:25] The changing nature of careers in the workplace, a decline in membership of religious and community organizations, as well as people relocating more often, among other factors, have perhaps all played a role.

[00:00:39] It’s also ironic, isn’t it, that in an era dominated by online social networks and mass communication for all the many undoubted benefits, we are grappling with issues of social isolation, loneliness, and declining community cohesion.

[00:00:54] According to The Campaign to End Loneliness, nearly 50% of adults in the U.K. reported feeling lonely, occasionally, sometimes, often, or always. Now, there are multiple reasons for these trends and there’s no one easy fix, but they demonstrate very clearly that initiatives like time banking are needed more than ever.

[00:01:17] And I will declare an interest right now as a long-serving member on Leith Time Bank committee in my constituency.

[00:01:25] So life has changed and our friends and family don’t always live nearby. It’s not always easy to ask someone for help. Especially if that brings with it a feeling that we can’t pay them back.

[00:01:37] Time banking is a fun, relaxed, quite informal way that enables people to help each other and help bring out the best in all of us.

[00:01:47] I suppose time banking, you could say, is essentially about neighbors being neighbors. It offers a slightly more formalized approach to creating and sustaining the bonds that have long been fixtures of our communities. And it reaffirms, really, that old adage that the most valuable thing you can offer someone is your time.

[00:02:08] We all have skills, knowledge, and experience to offer that could be beneficial to someone, whether that’s gardening, sewing, simple repairs, language skills, running errands, tech skills, helping with shopping, or whatever it might be. Time banking is a way for people to exchange these skills and experience.

[00:02:29] It’s based on a simple premise: For every hour you spend helping someone, you earn an hour back from your time bank. Everyone’s time is valued equally, whatever it is that’s being offered, and everyone is encouraged to spend their time credits to allow others the chance to make a difference and feel valued.

[00:02:51] Now Time Banking UK was founded in 2002, inspired by the growth of time banking in the U.S. Social activist Martin Simon, having visited Dr. Edgar Cahn and witnessed the time dollar movement in America, was determined to bring that system to the U.K. and he began development work from an office at City Works in Gloucester, creating Britain’s first time bank.

[00:03:16] Twenty-two years on, there are well over 100 time banks and around 25,000 time bank members across these isles with an estimated 6.7 million hours of help exchanged.

[00:03:30] Time banks bring together people of different ages, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities who interact with each other on an equal footing and with mutual respect and understanding.

After six months as a member of Time Bank, 80% felt a greater sense of community belonging, 74% had made new friends, 74% experienced improved mood or reduced depression, 69% felt more comfortable asking for or receiving help, 66% experienced decreased loneliness, and 60% noted improvements in their quality of life, health, and well-being.

[00:04:12] Time banking has been remarkably effective at breaking down barriers and forging connections between old Leithers and new arrivals, forming friendships between people who might not otherwise have ever met.

[00:04:26] Now time banks do thrive best at a local level where members can get to know one another and Leith Time Bank runs social activities to help facilitate this, as well as sessions like a multicultural cooking group and home energy advice meetings.

[00:04:41] Every month they offer a program of activities where members can get to know each other in a safe and comfortable environment, ranging from weekly language classes and cultural group meetups to one-off events such as a gardening squad, to attending football matches or museums.

[00:04:58] One of their members, for instance, is an 80-year-old man who is visually impaired and lives alone with no friends or family nearby. He earns credits by providing one-to-one Spanish and French lessons in a local café with other time members and in exchange, those members earn credits by accompanying him to medical appointments and social activities, providing practical help with day-to-day needs, like shopping, as well as telephone and face-to-face chats.

[00:05:31] Leith Time Bank also operates a community pot whereby people can donate credit virtually, and it can be used for some who can’t contribute perhaps due to health issues. One gentleman wanted to see a film, a cinema, but he was unable to travel there himself, so he used the community pot to find someone to buddy him for the film.

[00:05:51] And an older lady who’d been receiving help through the community credit part, but felt she had no expertise to give back, met with young moms and realized she did indeed have skills to offer as she was able to teach them all how to make soup.

[00:06:08] Members have described these time banks as a lifeline, how it’s done wonders for their mental health and reflect on the ability it allows to meet lots of interesting people.

[00:06:18] I would argue that expanding the time banking network further would have multiple benefits. Our aging populations, the cost of living crisis, and the challenges facing social care, all I think make the case for time banking to play an enhanced role in our society.

[00:06:32] Time Banking UK is proposing a public awareness program. I think that’s part of its problem. Not many people actually are aware of time banking and the many benefits it brings.

[00:06:45] We think the reason Leith Time Bank works so well is it offers opportunities for people of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds to come together to share their skills, knowledge, and experience with others.

[00:06:59] Everyone is valued equally with everyone having something to offer and to receive. Time banking is not just about exchanging services, it’s about building relationships, connecting with others in the community, and creating a culture of mutual support and collaboration. This approach helps members and the community to connect, build resilience, and improve overall well-being.

[00:07:25] The value of time banking in fostering community cohesion and addressing social isolation, I think is abundantly clear. Anything we can do to promote and expand the movement would be very welcome.

[00:07:38] Presenter: That’s former member of the House of Commons, Diedre Brock, promoting the value of time banking.