The useful – and free – community service of Timebanking just got a leg-up with a a grant of $15,000 to support the growth of Timebanking in the Northern Rivers.
The grant was announced at the Northern Rivers Community Gateway 40th Anniversary Charity Ball, Lismore on Saturday night by minister for volunteering, John Ajaka and Lismore MP Thomas George announced.
Timebanking enables participants to receive a credit for each hour of volunteering they gift to someone else. They can exchange that credit for support from someone else.
For example, a resident of Lismore is currently offering one-day room painting and garden makeovers on the Timebanking website, while needs include assistance with paving at Kyogle and gardening at Main Arm.
Expanding Timebanking is a major initiative of the NSW Volunteering Strategy 2016-2020, which aims to support increased recruitment and recognition of volunteers in local communities.
The funding will assist the Northern Rivers Community Gateway in broadening their operational capacity by training a Timebanking volunteer coordinator to actively promote and grow Timebanking in the local community, ensuring Timebanking is more strongly embedded in the Northern Rivers and participation diversified and extended.
Mr George applauded local commitment to Timebanking in the Northern Rivers.
‘I commend Northern Rivers Community Gateway, Lismore for its early adoption of Timebanking. The centre’s support has seen more than 100 members exchange more than 400 hours of community support’ said Mr George.
‘There are so many inspiring stories of local people embracing Timebanking and giving their time to enrich each other’s lives in a meaningful way. Flexible support available when it’s needed is at the heart of Timebanking.’
The 2016 Timebanking evaluation shows that one third of participants are new to volunteering.
‘The Evaluation also shows that more than 80 per cent of people who give and receive support from others are highly satisfied with their lives, compared to only 30 per cent of those who do not participate in this way. I am delighted to be providing further funding the expansion of Timebanking when it’s so clearly producing such stellar results for participants,’ said Minister Ajaka.
NSW has the largest single Timebanking system in the world, with more than 6,300 members, including 500 organisations, who have exchanged more than 25,500 hours of support.
To join the Northern Rivers Timebanking community simply visit:www.timebanking.com.au
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