Reading Borough Council announce new Time Banking Scheme

Reading Borough Council is setting up a Time Banking Scheme, giving people the opportunity to share their skills and make new friends in their local community.

The Council has funded Circles Network – a charity that works to support people at risk of social isolation to participate in their community – to run three pilot Time Bank projects in the Southcote, Katesgrove and Whitley Wood areas of Reading which will benefit both young and old.

Time Banking is a way for people to share skills with others in their community and be rewarded for it – in time. For every hour of time a person gives providing a service for another participant, they will receive one time credit, which can then be exchanged when they need something.

There are already over 100 time banks across England and members can earn credits through exchanges such as gardening, car washing, cooking a meal, shopping, other neighbourly tasks or even just by having a coffee with someone.

If residents would like to know more they can contact Angela Butcher of Circles Network on e-mail at: [email protected]