About Time Banking

Building stronger communities

Time Banking values the time people give to support public service organisations (such as social landlords) in the development and transformation of their communities. In this approach, people can earn time credits for time they actively contribute to a menu of activities – "Time In". The time credits earned can be exchanged for local services, events and training – "Time Out".

• Time banking supports people who give their time to build stronger communities.

• Time Banking starts from people's ideas, skills, interests and creates new opportunities for participation.

• Time Banking values the time people give to support public services, to increase engagement and community well-being.

Deepening engagement
The menu of ways people can earn time credits (Time In) is developed with the active participation of those involved. This ensures opportunities are meaningful, interesting and accessible. This can include both core tenant participation (e.g. tenants and residents groups, forums and surveys) and community programmes (e.g. organising community events arts projects).

Time credits can be exchanged for a menu of leisure and recreation services, participation in events and trips and beauty treatments (Time Out). These represent 'spare or under-used capacity' offered by a range of providers and enable Time Banking to remain low cost and sustainable.

Developing this menu with a range of organisations creates and deepens existing partnerships between the housing association and a range of community organisations, local government and businesses.

Community well-being
By enabling people to take part in a menu of stimulating and engaging activities, Time Banking creates a positive kudos to participation, enabling housing associations to engage with a much more diverse group of tenants. By developing participation the approach has the following outcomes, contributing to community well-being.