‘Time2Trade' for the 'time rich and cash poor'Change Management Time2Trade was established almost in 2002 when Sandwell received funding from the Health Action Zone Innovations Fund that made grants to improve healthcare. Upon the completion of this funding in 2005 Time2Trade was funded by Sandwell PCT and Greets Green Partnership. Sandwell funded 60 per cent of the projects costs, with Greets Green Partnership covering the remaining 40 per cent. In 2008 when the Greets Green Partnership was completed the success of the project convinced the PCT to step in and pay for all of the costs. Until Time2Trade was integrated into Sandwell Council in April 2013, it was the only Time Bank in the UK that was fully funded by a PCT. The manager of Time2Trade, Dan Grainger, ensured that the project was able to make quick wins and generate positive publicity. This included tidy up campaigns on a local estate in a partnership between members of the Timebank and the local tenants and residents association. Dan Grainger is the manager of Time2Trade. Dan works to ensure the time bank works efficiently, and that its members are able to get the most out of its services. When residents or local organisations join the time bank they are registered on its database as this was recently the case with Governance International. This involves an audit of the skills they are able to provide, their availability, and services that they would like to receive in return. This means that when a Time2Trade member requests a service, Time2Trade can search its database to find someone with the capability to help.
The Time Bank is located at the heart of the community on West Bromwich High Street in the same building as a credit union. Sharing a similar clientele as the credit union and being in such a busy area makes it easy for individuals to sign up, and for members to stay in touch. Effective communication with residents is crucial to the success of the time bank. Dan Grainger ensures that its members are regularly informed about new ways to be involved and past successes through ‘Time 2 Read’ bulletins and social events. Dan has also grown the scope of the activities provided and the size of the Time 2 Trade has been through the development of links with third sector and statutory organisations. Currently Time 2 Trade has 20 active organisations and well over 200 members. Active organisations are able to earn time credits from providing members with services, but members are also able to earn credits by helping to volunteer and run activities at these organisations. The following is a list of some of the active organisations partnered to the timebank:
Time 2 Trades future efforts towards increasing its efficiency and impact include developing a web-based operation that will provide its members with more up to date opportunities to volunteer services and utilise services. However, Dan is keen to ensure that Time 2 Trade does not exceed its natural boundaries and overstretch its capacity. |
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