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Successful volunteering with Time Credits

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Sarah Taylor and Peter West (360x640)
Photo: Sarah Taylor, Lancashire Time Credits team manager with Peter West

A volunteer programme with a difference is looking to expand due to its success.

The Spice Time Credits programme swaps one hour’s volunteering in the community for a time credit for each hour given.

Volunteers can spend the credits they earn on a range of community, cultural and leisure activities in the local area. Credits can also be spent across the national network of organisations which participate in the scheme.

Lancashire organisations including Fleetwood’s Marine Hall, Lancaster Castle and Preston North End Football Club are among those currently accepting Time Credits.

Currently running in Preston and Chorley, it is hoped that councils, NHS Trusts and housing associations will adopt the scheme. It is also hoped to extend the scheme into the Manchester area.

As well as recognising the value of the time that each person gives, Spice Time Credits strengthen and support communities by encouraging people who don’t usually get involved in their local area to take part. They also raise levels of volunteering and improve health.

The programme encourages people to get involved where they live in various ways. It also helps to build local networks by linking community groups, organisations and individuals.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health and wellbeing at Lancashire County Council said: “Initiatives like Spice Time Credits are a very innovative way of engaging with our communities, and empowering local people to play their part.

“It is attracting people who have never been involved in their communities before. Importantly, there can be big benefits for individuals and their community by getting involved in this way.

“Time Credits value everybody in a way that money doesn’t. It doesn’t matter what you do, your time is worth the same and is as important as everyone else’s.

“Councils, schools, housing associations and community organisations can use Time Credits as a way of increasing the number and types of volunteer, and the contribution that they make to communities.

“It is an example of true collaboration between the public and the private sector that has the potential to grow even more.”

Time Credits are similar to bank notes, but have no monetary value. All notes have a standard reverse side in all areas, with the front localised.

Becky Booth, Spice chief executive officer, said: “Spice is a time-based currency. The vision is to build resilient and connected communities, with social change as a priority.

“Time Credits are a way for people and organisations to identify with what we are trying to do and, by joining the scheme, help to make it happen.

“Time Credits can be used anywhere in the country. You can earn the credit in Lancashire, but be able to spend it in places including Cardiff or London, or vice versa.

“Through the scheme people can try new things on their doorstep and across the country.”

Peter West, from Preston, was the 25,000th volunteer to earn Spice Time Credits. Peter volunteers every Thursday for the “Wheels For All” session at Moor Park in Preston, which offers the use of adapted cycles for adults with special needs or disabilities. For every hour that Peter volunteers, he earns the equivalent in the form of a Time Credit.

Peter said: “I spent my first Time Credits on a Blackpool trip hosted by the Lancashire Time Credits team. I live in Walton-le-Dale, Preston, but worked in Blackpool as a child, so going up the Tower brought back more than a few memories and I felt very nostalgic.

“I have only been volunteering and earning Time Credits for a few months, but I just want to help. When you are on your own, it fills the hours.

“I have two daughters, who both live in other areas of the country, and I have one grandchild. I volunteer to keep myself fit and occupy a few hours, as I enjoy meeting people and just getting out of the house.”

Founded in South Wales in 2009, the Spice Time Credit model – so called because the social enterprise which set it up sees it as an ‘extra ingredient’ – now has an estimated 25,000 users, and approximately 450,000 Time Credits have been issued across England and Wales so far.

Spice currently works with 16,000 people, over 700 public services and community organisations with over 300 venues accepting Time Credits.

81% of people who volunteer through Spice Time Credits said that taking part has had a positive impact on their lives. 77% of people had taken part in more community activity, and 64% spend more time with others in their local community.

More information is available by contacting Sarah Taylor, Lancashire Time Credits project manager on 07842 764 205 or email sarahtaylor@justaddspice.org.

Alternatively visit www.justaddspice.org.

Charlotte Carter with Preston on Wheels Project volunteers (640x360)
Photo: Charlotte Carter, cycling development officer at Preston City Council (standing) with volunteers from the Preston on Wheels Project.

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