Volunteering in Uttlesford is set to become more “mainstream” after a national scheme was launched in the district.
Time Bank sees people give up their time to help those in need, and in return they receive help back. A volunteer can also donate their ‘hours’ to a pot for someone who may be unable to earn the time for themselves.
Organisations, groups and councillors gathered together for the official launch of the new scheme at the Almshouses, in Saffron Walden, last month.
Cabinet member for communities and partnerships at Uttlesford District Council, Howard Rolfe, said: “As far as we are concerned, community engagement is very much a part of Uttlesford. Time Bank will be a real contribution to the community and it should make volunteering more mainstream.
“Time Bank should become part of your life and that is great. I am really looking forward to seeing it get off the ground.”
There are around 300 Time Banks in the UK, with two million members. Essex County Council (ECC) supported Colchester Council for Voluntary services to start a Time Bank three years ago. Now the authority is establishing it in Uttlesford, Harlow and Epping.
Pat Lodge, from Uttlesford Volunteer Centre, said: “Time Bank has people at its heart and is a way of giving and receiving help and support in the local community.
“It is an excellent way to deepen awareness of an organisation’s local activities and causes, and it provides the opportunity to be part of a national scheme. We all need support from someone else at some point in our lives. Join Time Bank to be part of helping to do that.”
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