Time4leicestershire
Time4Leicestershire is a free skills exchange initiative run by Leicestershire County Council, and it has just landed in Charnwood! Members can sign up to share their skills and can request skills they would like in return. ‘Timebanking’ differs from volunteering as it allows people to swap skills at a time that suits them, with no minimum commitment needed. For every hour of time somebody gives, they receive an hour’s time credit that they can exchange for another skill.
How do I earn credits to start Timebanking?
* Everyone who signs up automatically gets 5 credits to start them off. Some people’s skills are likely to be more ‘in demand’ than others, so this gives everyone a chance to get started. We also have a community pot of credits that we can use – if you have an idea for a community Timebank project, get in touch and let’s make it happen!
How do I find out what’s on offer?
* Time4Leicestershire is an online skills marketplace. You register on the relevant Timebank, on the platform – https://Time4Leicestershire.org.uk and then post offers or requests through your account. It’s really simple to use, but we’ll have regular pop-up hubs where you can drop in and get support with using the platform, ask questions, participate in taster sessions or just chat with other members.
What type of skills can I swap?
* We’re looking for people with all kinds of skills! From practical skills like DIY or crafts, to ‘lend a hand’ type skills of giving someone a lift, or walking a dog, or maybe you’ve got digital skills to share, or you could help someone explore potential new hobbies like languages or music? We’re also looking for ‘life skills’ that you might not even consider valuable, but someone else might – ironing a shirt, paying a bill, or planning meals – all skills! If you’ve got an unusual interest, like beekeeping, we’re equally keen to hear from you. And if you’re in a club or group, you can earn credits by bringing a potential new member found through the Timebank along with you, which benefits, you, the other member, and your group.