Once you are an approved timebank member, you can post an offer.
Simply click on 'add activity' within the top right menu and select 'add offer'.
What could you offer?
You don't need to have a special skill or talent to start timebanking.
Just a little bit of kindness and some time is all you need to make a difference.
If you are stuck for ideas, look through this list and choose one or two good things to do.
When you've chosen your offer, find a good photo to attract attention and click 'add offer'.
Be a listening ear
Are you good at listening and helping others? Could you offer to phone up someone who is alone or worried? Taking some time out of your day to listen and chat could help someone who is lonely or feeling low. You could also consider volunteering with the Samaritans or contact your local Age UK charity.
Share a favourite recipe
Shop for a neigbour
If you are going to the shops, why not check in with your neighbours to see if they need anything? It could be they are short of something as simple as an egg or a couple of tea bags that could make all the difference to their day. Your offer on the timebank could be a simple as "pick up some items when I go shopping"?
Bake a cake
Do you have a 'signature bake'? Could you offer to bake a tray of cupcakes for someone? Perhaps a parent doesn't have the time to prepare for their school bakesale? Perhaps someone wants to give a homemade cake to their loved one for a birthday? Your offer could be as simple as "I can bake a simple birthday cake".
Teach a skill or hobby
Could you teach or share a hobby that could inspire others to learn something new? Perhaps you could teach music? arts and crafts? or a new language? You don't even need to meet face to face. Your timebank exchange could all be done online via a video messaging service such as Zoom, MS Teams or Facetime.
Help someone get 'tech savvy'
Could you show other people how to use video calls, skype, social media or WhatsApp safely so they can keep in touch with their loved ones? Could you offer help and advice on how to fix common computer problems? Research from Public Health England in 2020 shows that 23% of people living in rural areas do not have access to the internet – either due to lack of available equipment or digital skills. You could make a difference
Look after pets
Could you offer to walk someones dog? feed their cat whilst they are away? or have a hamster to stay?! Looking after someones pet can be so helpful. Especially if they are in hospital or unable to do it due to ill health.
Can you do DIY?
Are you a plumber, electrician, builder or similar? Could you spare an hour to help someone fix a fence, insulate a pipe or paint a front door? We all have DIY jobs that need a helping hand.
Entertain us
Perhaps you are a singer, a musician, dancer or a comedian? Could you record a live performance to share? Or could you organise an online talent show for friends and neighbours to join?
Your offer?
Do you have something different to offer? Remember, you can give as much or a little time as you want doing the things you enjoy.
Remember the timebanking do's and don'ts.
- Do - help others to the best of their ability.
- Do - remember not to expect a professional service, this is more about neighbourliness.
- Do - treat others with respect
- Do - follow the current goverment guidelines for COVID-19
- Do - say thanks and complete the exchnage to ensure that someone helping you recieves their credits
- Don't - ask anyone to do a task which you might usually ask a professional person to carry out
- Don't - ask anyone to do a task which may put them or the person/group they are helping at risk (for example: childcare)
- Don't - undertake any aspect of helping anyone if you feel uncomfortable in doing so.
- Don't put anyone at risk of COVID-19