Creating a caring, supportive and reciprocal local economy
About TimeBank Hull
TimeBank Hull was founded in 2012 as a response to the impact of austerity on the local community. It became apparent that a whole community approach was needed to enable healing and support during a difficult time. TimeBank is a mechanism that enables people to share skills, knowledge, and support across Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire. Different from traditional volunteering, it is a system of reciprocal exchange, meaning you can share anything that can be measured with time. At present, TimeBank Hull has around 1,000 members and is part of a broader network of other mutual aid organisations. During Covid-19, this network became international.
How is TimeBank Hull making a difference?
TimeBank Hull works to reimagine the status quo and create a slower, cyclical, and more personable economy. Rather than the typical transactional and money-based approach to goods and services, time-banking provides a space for individuals in a community to meet and learn from one another. The skills shared through the TimeBank are incredibly diverse, from guitar lessons and gardening to fixing a bike and support with technology. People are at the heart of TimeBank Hull’s work, and it aims to give its members opportunities for participation as well as a sense of belonging, worth, and agency within the wider community. Its work also explores society’s relationship with the environment, as it emphasises a more sustainable approach to consumption.
What I say time banking is about is unlocking the abundance that’s hidden … and what you’re doing when you’re talking to people is you’re looking at what’s strong rather than what’s wrong… what do you love?
Kate MacDonald, Founder, TimeBank Hull
How did they do it?
TimeBank Hull was established as a company limited by guarantee; this structure was chosen as it is relatively simple to set up. Grants from organisations like the National Lottery, local authorities, and some EU funding mainly fund the work of the TimeBank.
TimeBank Hull’s work offers opportunities for the community to congregate and support one another. The organisation’s physical presence at Marfleet Community Centre allows it to host a range of in-person events, often linked with food, such as the community feasts, which help to provide opportunities for socialising and sharing knowledge and skills.
One of the main challenges faced by TimeBank Hull is that it does not fit neatly into a box, making its work difficult to communicate at times. This is often compounded by the fact that when community organisations are working well, their work can become invisible. Resourcing, both in terms of finance and time, is also an obstacle for the work of TimeBank Hull. However, it is evident from the testimonials of people in the network that TimeBank Hull has had a tangible impact on the community.
Being a member of TimeBank enabled me to quickly get established in the city and involved with a number of community organisations and events.
TimeBank Hull member testimonial
Three things to unlock Timebank Hull’s potential.
- A more personal, trusting, and patient approach to funding from funders. The quantifying of impacts needed for funding applications and reporting does not capture the whole picture and misses the ripples of good that is created by a project.
- Allowing space for innovation and trusting community groups to try out new things.
- Opportunities for the community and community groups to come together, collaborate, and learn from one another.
Timebank Hull’s advice for new community projects:
- Just do it!
- Figure out the goal you are working towards and work backwards to uncover the steps you need to take to achieve the end goal.
Relevant Links
- Timebank Hull: https://www.timebankhullandeastriding.co.uk/
- Timebanking UK: https://timebanking.org/
- Examples of Timebanks across the UK: The New Wealth of Time: How timebanking helps people build better public services by New Economic Foundation
