Opportunity Knocks opens it's doors with carers being the first to exchange time.......

By helping to record the audio version of the Carers newsletter two carers have now banked themselves time which can be used when they have need of it...one lady said she would love to have some help in her garden so we will find someone who can help with this for her.

Read on below to find out more about Opportunity Knocks and what Timebanking could do for you......

Welcome to Opportunity Knocks Timebank

volunteering with a difference

Do you have some time on your hands?

Would you like to help others?

Would you like to get something in return?

Do you enjoy your community and want to be more involved?

Are you new to the area?

Do you need help with tasks in daily life but can't get help from other sources?

If you have answered 'Yes' to any of these questions then Timebanking could be for you....

Timebanking is all about swapping your time, skills and knowledge with others. You could help someone else with a task that you enjoy doing and are good at, then in exchange you could get help with the things you don't like or can't do.

Opportunity Knocks Timebank will link people with each other; it's a way of meeting people, being part of a community and exchanging time and talents.

How does it work?

You take part in the Timebank by giving and receiving time. For each hour that you help someone out you earn one time credit. Your Time Credits go on your Timebank record, which you can then use for receiving help from someone else. One hour is swapped for one hour regardless of what is being done. So the more you do, the more you can have done for you and you don't have to swap with the same person.

What can be swapped?

Through Timebanking you can swap time on gardening, cooking, baking cakes, simple DIY, languages, computer skills, dog walking, driving, sewing, knitting, card making, photography, or even playing a musical instrument. The list is endless...if you have a skill you want to share you simply have to let us know.

Click here to see what people in St Austell think of Timebanking.

Who is Opportunity Knocks Timebank open to?

We welcome members from the Plymouth area who are over the age of 18 and community groups or organisations who would like to help and benefit from Timebanking.

How do you join?

To be part of the Timebank simply complete the joining form which can be downloaded here and the Interest form here and return them to:

Opportunity Knocks Timebank
Colebrook Housing Society
3 Woodland Terrace
Greenbank
Plymouth
PL4 8NL

or email them to timebank@colebrookhousing.co.uk

We will meet with you to give you more information and to take up two references. We will then link you up with other Timebank members and you can start taking part.

If you are part of an organisation that would like to be involved in Timebanking please use this form and return it to the address above.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact either Katie Ost on (01752) 211249 or Helen Fellows on (01752) 211243.