Timebanking UK

Timebanking is an asset-based approach to sharing time and skills: like other asset-based approaches, we focus on what people can do, not what they can’t. We believe that every person is valuable and has something to offer others – and timebanking is a simple way to enable them to do that. As a time bank member, you help someone for an hour (or thereabouts) – for example by mowing their lawn or doing their shopping. For every hour of help you give, you earn a timebanking hour from your time bank. You can spend this on an hour of someone else’s time. For example, you could learn how to cook an apple pie, or get help with painting your fence. Established in 2002, Timebanking UK (TBUK) is the only membership organisation in the country to provide advice, resources, software and training for anyone wishing to set up a time bank or learn about timebanking. We also advocate for timebanking at policy level, working with local authorities and government agencies to promote the values of timebanking and to make our transformative method of sharing time and skills accessible to everyone. We provide operational guidance for time banks, with our Quality Mark™ representing a model of best practice for community time banks. We specialise in person-to-person timebanking and recommend clear procedures to minimise risk for people who engage in time exchanges. In 2023 we aim to spearhead a street-by-street cost of living revolution.