3-Organisational

3-Organisational Time Banking

Theory
•    A mutual (open) credit system where credit exists between agencies
•    Used to facilitate exchanges between organisations for mutual benefit and enhance use of scarce or under utilised resources

Practice
•    Time bank can be established within an existing ‘hub’ or to set up a new network of organisations (may be based around a geographical area or a specific skill/ activity)
•    When an organisation joins the bank they list the resources and services they have available and the type of help they would like to receive
•    Exchanges are recorded by a ‘broker’ or network co-ordinator
•    Type of exchanges is governed by what is available within the membership but likely to be both resources (e.g. an underused minibus) and skills (e.g. help with writing a funding proposal)

Factors for Success
•    Supportive network of organisations with understanding of time banking
•    Funding for a time bank co-ordinator, or lead organisation
•    Particularly useful when organisations have underused resources
•    Core group of local organisations with a variety of resources and needs
•    Strong local community sector with a history of working together previously

Potential Problems
•    Requires membership to be a range of organisations and resources in order to meet a variety of needs
•    All organisations need to give and receive
 
Examples from London
Poss Lewisham Community Development Partnership?