file · Web viewEdgar S. Cahn . started out as a law professor, was Bobby Kennedy’s speech writer...

Broughty Ferry TimebankHandbook

For the community - In the community - By the community

Did You Know How Timebanking Came About?

Version 1 – March 2019

Broughty Ferry Timebank is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO): SC046833

Edgar S. Cahn started out as a law professor, was Bobby Kennedy’s speech writer and a civil rights campaigner.

He is now best known as the originator of Timebanking, which operates in 22 countries throughout the world. Edgar hit upon this revolutionary idea while recovering in hospital from a heart attack. For the first time in his life he was dependent on others and unable to repay the people who were caring for him.

Timebanking is now widely accepted as the ideal way to value the contributions that people make to rebuilding community and to ‘co-producing’ our public services.

Timebanking and co-production are explained in detail in his book - ‘No More Throw Away People’.

2

Table of Contents

Welcome to Broughty Ferry Timebank……………………………………………………………… 3

About Ferry Time……………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

What is Timebanking?.…………………..……….......................……................................ 5

Benefits of Timebanking....................................................................................... 5

How Does it Work?............................................................................................... 6

Exchanges............................................................................................................. 6

How to ask for/offer help........................................................................................................ 7

When you are Helping Someone............................................................................................. 7

What if Things don’t go to Plan?........................................................................... 8

Principles of Care………………………………................................................................. 8

Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme………………………………………........................ 9

Use of Personal Vehicle……………………………………………………………………................. 9

Frequently Asked Questions………………………………………………………….............……. 9/10

Appendix: 1 - Health and Safety Policy................................................................. 11Appendix: 2 - Complaints Procedure...…………………………………………..................... 12

Contacts and Other Information……………………………………………………………………… 13

****


3

WELCOME TO ‘FERRY TIME’ BROUGHTY FERRY’S TIMEBANK

Thank you for joining the Broughty Ferry Timebank. We are delighted to welcome you as a Timebank member. We hope that you will enjoy being part of this exciting venture and we encourage you to make the most of your membership.

Broughty Ferry Timebank is a community owned, independent Timebank. It is your Timebank. It belongs to you. Through the Timebank we all aim to: Share time and talents through mutual support, a way to help each other; Recognise and promote the capacity of people to share their spare time with others; Encourage, strengthen and recognise neighbourliness; Promote community spirit and ultimately enhance wellbeing in the Broughty Ferry area.

In this handbook you will find lots of helpful information about the Broughty Ferry Timebank and what it means to be a member. As a member you are not a volunteer in the traditional sense, you are a member of a community and we would encourage you to act as an ambassador for the Timebank. For the scheme to run smoothly our members agree to follow the guidelines set out in this handbook. Please read through all the sections carefully.

Enjoy reading this handbook. Should you have any comments or questions about any part of it, please contact the Timebank Coordinator or Committee via the contact details on page 13.

The coordinator will keep you updated on the range of services available. We hope that you will use and offer your services regularly. Please keep the Coordinator updated about the skills you have to offer and your requests for help. You can keep up to date with the Timebank’s progress through our Newsletters, by visiting our website and via Facebook.

****


4

ABOUT BROUGHTY FERRY TIMEBANK

In 2015 the staff from the Volunteer Centre Dundee initiated the setting up of a steering group – would the community in Broughty Ferry benefit from having a Timebank. This steering group was made up of a wide cross-section of people from the local area. From the meetings that took place, it was agreed to start the process of establishing a Timebank in the area.

The appointment of a Timebank coordinator to manage the Timebank was one of the first major tasks carried out by the steering group. Once this person was in place, the job of forming the Timebank into a working, community volunteering project started.

A publicity campaign began and the job of informing the community about the existence of Broughty Ferry Timebank swung into action. It wasn't long before the positive results of this work showed in the recruitment of eager volunteers.

Later that year came the announcement that the Volunteer Centre Dundee would no longer be acting as managers of the Timebank meaning that the committee had to make the decision to formally adopt the Timebank as a constituted group. After several weeks of hard work by the committee and the members, Broughty Ferry Timebank held an EGM and as a result of this, Broughty Ferry had its very own independent, community led Timebank - the first of its kind in this area.

It was also agreed that Broughty Ferry Timebank would retain the services of a paid coordinator. This was seen as an essential requirement of the decision to keep the Timebank going, as there is very much a need to have a regular and steady system in place to coordinate the Timebank activities. In order to fund our coordinator, we rely on grants from organisations as well as money raised through fundraising events by our members.

This means that we have a local volunteering service for Broughty Ferry that is run by the members and for the members, which is beneficial for the whole community.

Broughty Ferry Timebank is confident that the coming years will see its further growth as it actively engages with the people of Broughty Ferry and offers an opportunity for them to join and make a positive contribution to their local community.

In October 2016 Broughty Ferry Timebank announced that it had achieved charity status.

****


5

WHAT IS TIMEBANKING?Timebanking is a great way of getting involved in the community and meeting people in your neighbourhood. It is founded on the principles of reciprocity to encourage neighbourliness, mutual support and recognition of the capacity of every one of us to make available some of our spare time for others. Timebank members exchange things they can do for each other - for example one person might do an hour's gardening for someone else, for which they receive one-hour’s credit. Later they might 'spend' that credit when someone else does some painting for them. Members bring their talents, skills, experience and knowledge to the Timebank, and happily share this with each other.

To date, Broughty Ferry Timebank members have completed thousands of hours of volunteering in the local community. This has included catering, DIY, lifts to appointments, CV help, gardening, shopping, IT support, companionship, etc.

Participating in these activities has not only been a very positive experience for the members of the Timebank but has also seen the formation of new friendships as well.

It is rewarding to think that in the local community people can rely on the Timebank for help and assistance and get a real sense of security in knowing that there is a fellow Timebank member to call on when needed.

Often it is just like being a good neighbour and for every hour you give you receive one time credit in return which you can then spend through the Timebank when it suits you, on something you would like. Timebanking is not just about need but also about want.

BENEFITS OF TIMEBANKINGWhat is so rewarding about joining the Timebank are the mutual benefits to be gained for the people who become members. You will participate in tasks, hobbies and activities in a relaxed and informal way. This results in personal satisfaction and gives a sense of having done something positive and worthwhile. Joining Broughty Ferry Timebank is also a great way to get to know people in your local community. Remember that we all have something to offer our community, and Broughty Ferry Timebank is here to welcome you as a member of what is a very meaningful and valued local volunteering service.

Some reasons for joining Broughty Ferry Timebank: 1 Feeling rewarded for your contribution to your local community;2 Meeting new people and making friends;3 Trying something new or learning a new skill;4 A flexible way to volunteer - you can fit it into your lifestyle – you give when you can;5 If you do not use all your time credits you can donate these to other members or put into the

community pot which supports members who are unable to generate their own Time Credits;6 Get satisfaction from helping people; 7 Be rewarded by others helping you; 8 Do the things you enjoy doing when it suits you;9 Great satisfaction from helping in the community. This in turn helps in bringing the community

closer together!


6

HOW DOES IT WORK?The coordinator is the first person you will meet when you become a member of Broughty Ferry Timebank. The coordinator will visit you at your house or a place of your choosing and will be wearing an ID badge with name and photograph. The meeting is to welcome you to the Timebank and to explain how the Timebank operates in the community.

When you join Broughty Ferry Timebank you provide us with details of the skills, talents and experience that you are prepared to share with others. We keep a record of these and from time to time the coordinator may ask you if you have the time to help someone else in need of your skill. Equally, if you’d like some help, just contact the coordinator with your request. We’ll endeavour to find someone to help you within a reasonable amount of time. (Our coordinator works part-time flexibly and will respond to requests/offers as soon as possible).

The coordinator is the central point of contact for everyone. The coordinator will match up time givers with time receivers and keep track of who does what. He will also make sure that everyone’s credit records are kept up to date. You can request a statement of your time credits to check on your balance if you wish.

You don’t have to earn time credits before you can spend them. You can ask for help from day one. We recognise that at particularly challenging times people may simply not have the capacity to give something back and that some people who would benefit from the scheme may feel that they have nothing to give. Tasks need not be complicated or require a high level of skill. It may be that some people simply need somebody to talk to and take an interest in them. Others may want support to learn something new which you can do. The possibilities are endless. Everyone has something to offer and something to gain.

Timebanking is not a substitute for services that you would normally pay for, such as installing a kitchen, or for getting services on the cheap. It is a way of local people using their time to do tasks that others would appreciate help with.

So, if you want something done, get in touch with the coordinator to see if a member is able to help. Exchanges can be made as little or as often as you like and can be done to suit you.

All the exchanges are agreed between the coordinator and the member/s who are participating in the task, job, hobby, etc. A Social Committee is also in place to organise events for our members’ enjoyment and to bring them together and promote community spirit.

EXCHANGES The coordinator is always there for the initial meeting with the members to make the introductions and to confirm that the activity taking place is the one which has been requested. There may also be occasions when the coordinator has made an assessment visit prior to the initial meeting between the members to find out what exactly is required.

A Timebank member will never be sent to a fellow member’s house for the first meeting without the presence of the coordinator.

During the initial meeting the Timebank members can agree to exchange phone numbers and/or email addresses so that they can communicate about the planned activity.


7

How to ask for/offer help When you’d like some help, please use the following simple procedure: 1 Contact the coordinator by telephone, text or email (contact details on page 13)2 Give the coordinator your name, address, telephone/mobile number. 3 Let the coordinator know the following information:

a What kind of help you’d like; b Estimate the number of hours;c The date and time when you’d like help (please try to be as flexible as possible because this will

provide more opportunities for other members to help you);d If any costs are likely, eg materials (if the fellow member has been asked to purchase, using their

own money, materials for you to bring to the exchange) or travel costs. You must be prepared to reimburse the person helping you for such incidentals.

4 The coordinator will call you back when contact has been made with someone who can help.5 You will be given the name of your helper and told when the initial meeting about the activity will

take place (please keep a note of these details). Similarly, the helper will be given your name and details about the activity.

6 On the day of the initial meeting between members, the visiting member should be wearing their Timebank name badge.

7 At this meeting the coordinator will be waiting outside the receiver’s house for the helper’s arrival. The helper must never enter the house for this initial meeting without the presence of the coordinator.

8 After friendly, informal introductions are made, discussion will be about the planned activity. If there is a health and safety issue, then the activity will not take place. The coordinator’s word is final on this. If the activity comes within accepted insurance cover, and the helper agrees, then the activity will go ahead. That may be there and then, or it may be at a later agreed date and time.

9 Once the activity is complete the giver contacts the coordinator to let them know how long they took to do the exchange. The coordinator contacts the receiver and asks them to confirm the duration of the exchange and then this is recorded.

10 Members must not arrange further exchanges between themselves without first contacting the coordinator. This is to ensure that the activity is within the accepted list of insured activities.

When you are helping someoneIt is important to consider and respect the following aspects before, during and after helping someone through the Timebank. The coordinator will be happy to discuss any of these aspects with you:

Make sure you are confident with what has been asked of you, including the nature of the task, date, time and location.

Will you incur any costs, eg will any materials be required, or will there be travel costs? If so this must be agreed before the start of the exchange.

No payment is taken for the exchange (other than out of pocket expenses). Bear in mind your responsibility for your own health and safety. Be sure that you identify and minimise risk, including for example the use of tools. Should you have

any doubts about risk contact the coordinator before going ahead with the exchange. Do not carry out any additional tasks that have not been previously agreed. Check first with the

coordinator otherwise the exchange will fall outwith the Timebank activity agreement. Any information obtained about the other participant is confidential.


8

WHAT IF THINGS DON’T GO TO PLAN?If you find that you cannot do the task or accept the help on the agreed date or time, please contact the coordinator as soon as possible so that the assignment can be cancelled, rearranged or reassigned to another member. If you are not happy with the work that has been done for you, please contact the coordinator as soon as possible.

Please remember that our members are good neighbours and may not be professionally trained.

As long as the work carried out has been agreed in advance with the coordinator, and it falls within accepted Timebank activity insurance, it will be covered by our insurance policy,

If anything happens that you are not comfortable with, you must contact the coordinator immediately. It could just be that the helper and the receiver are not comfortable working with one another. That’s OK, we will help as much as we can.

Please bear in mind personal safety at all times.

Report any genuine concerns about the health, safety or well-being of another member to the coordinator.

If you are not happy with the service provided by the coordinator, please contact one of our trustees (contact details page 13). PRINCIPLES OF CARE Broughty Ferry Timebank has a responsibility to maintain high standards for all its members. Equally, as a Timebank member you have responsibilities towards the Timebank and to other members.

All members of the Timebank agree to: Treat members respectfully, respect members’ privacy and treat all personal information in

confidence. Refrain from promoting political, religious and spiritual beliefs. Do tasks on their own or only with other Timebank members. Do not involve friends or relatives in

Timebank activities by bringing them or referring them to a member’s home or venue at the time of an activity.

Do each task at the time and place agreed and ensure the coordinator is advised if they cannot make the agreed exchange.

Refrain from smoking indoors or drinking alcohol while doing a task or receiving help. Accept only small tokens of appreciation, eg tea and biscuits, when freely offered by a member. If a

member offers to make a financial donation to the Timebank charity, please refer them to the coordinator. Do not take any cheques or money from the member for the donation.

Use only your own facilities, such as a mobile phone or computer, for personal communications unless it’s an emergency and you do not have access to a phone or computer and the member has given their permission.

Any behaviour that breaches these Principles of Care is unacceptable and may lead to the restriction, suspension or withdrawal of Timebank membership.


9

PROTECTING VULNERABLE GROUPS SCHEME (PVG Scheme) Due to the nature of Broughty Ferry Timebank activities, members are not legally required to be part of the PVG Scheme. All individual members are reference checked at the time of applying to join the Timebank. USE OF PERSONAL VEHICLEIf one of the activities being requested or offered is to drive fellow member/s using your own car, it is imperative that you hold the following: A full, valid driving licence, held for a minimum of 3 years Motor insurance cover/certificate for the car you are using for voluntary work (some insurance

companies require that you notify them if you are using your car for voluntary driving) Valid MOT certificate (if applicable) Valid road tax

The coordinator will ask to see your documentation at the initial activity meeting between members. It is your responsibility to inform the coordinator of any change to your circumstances.

We are aware that petrol is expensive. In this scenario it is acceptable for the receiver to offer money to cover the petrol used. This is an arrangement between both members and should be agreed beforehand. If in doubt, contact the coordinator.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Who can join the Timebank? The Broughty Ferry Timebank is open to individuals (over the age of 18) and organisations in Broughty Ferry but does not exclude people from outwith the area if they are prepared to accept that there will be a requirement to travel to participate in Timebank activities.

How will the Timebank store my personal information? To make the Timebank work, we have to keep some information about you and the exchanges that you make with other members. This includes information that you gave on your member registration form. All this information is stored securely on the Timebanking UK database. Broughty Ferry Timebank uses information through its computer software to record exchanges between members, to monitor and improve the running of the Timebank and to plan future developments.Broughty Ferry Timebank complies with the requirements of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations) 2018 and uses personal information only for the reasons provided.

Your registration form is returned to you at the initial welcome meeting with the coordinator. It is yours for safe keeping.

From time to time Broughty Ferry Timebank may wish to take photographs of members participating in activities. These photographs may be used for general publicity including the group website, Facebook and our Newsletters. You will have signed your registration form giving or refusing consent for this.

Who runs the Broughty Ferry Timebank? The Timebank is managed by a committee of 3-5 trustees and the coordinator is responsible for the day to day running of the charity.


10

Will Timebanking affect my tax or welfare benefits? No.

Am I insured? Yes. Broughty Ferry Timebank members are covered by Public Liability Insurance. There may be some activities deemed as hazardous by the insurance company and are excluded. The coordinator will be able to advise members on this.

Volunteer driving is not covered by our public liability insurance. Volunteer drivers must have valid motor insurance cover for the car they are using for voluntary work. (See earlier note about use of Personal Vehicle on page 9)

How many Time Credits can I earn?You can earn as many time credits as you wish, and we will encourage you to ‘spend’ your credits by receiving help from other Timebank members. This is important, so that other Timebank members can make a difference and feel valued, and it all helps the local community. You can ask for help before you have any time credits, but you will be encouraged to ‘earn’ credits in due course.

Can I give Time Credits away?You are expected to spend your time credits. If, however, you do not want all the time credits you earn, you can pass some or all of them on to: another member, the Timebank itself, to be used by members who have not yet earned enough time credits for the

extra help they’d like.

Does it cost anything?The Timebank is free to join. It does not cost you anything to gain a time credit.

Can I still be a member if I don’t have much time? Timebanking is flexible – you help when you can – you don’t have to commit to specific days and times. You can do as much or a little as you want.

If I have a comment or complaint?The Timebank welcomes constructive comments and complaints. It aims to listen to them and take them seriously and with respect. It is committed to dealing with them thoroughly, fairly and effectively, which allows the organisation to learn from experience and improve.

Contact the coordinator with any suggestions that you may have.

Page 12 of this handbook details our Complaints Procedure should the need arise.

****


11

APPENDIX: 1

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Whilst carrying out a Timebank activity it is important that you: Do not put yourself at risk and if you are not sure that something is safe – DO NOT DO IT. Take regular breaks.

Hazards and Obstacles:If you feel that there is a hazard or obstacle at the activity location, please bring it to the attention of the receiver in a friendly, polite way. The area should be free of clutter and well lit. Surfaces should be sound and free from grease and wet substances. Fixtures and fittings should be secure with no danger of anything falling on you. All areas where you are walking should be free of wires. Any non-hazardous spillages should be cleared up at once. Do not stand on anything unstable. Put all waste in the bin. Have a way of contacting the coordinator if you are unaccompanied. Remember that the activity has been risk-assessed by you and the coordinator. Follow the agreement made at the initial activity meeting. Trust your judgement - if you are concerned, get it sorted or leave as quickly and safely as possible.

Lifting and Handling:Avoid lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving loads where this might cause a hazard to you or someone else. Don’t try to carry anything that is too heavy and use any aids available, such as a trolley. If an emergency arises while you are doing a Timebank activity: In the event of an accident to a member or damage to property, dial 999 and ask for the appropriate

emergency service. Contact the coordinator only when it is safe to do so. If it is not immediately urgent, then let the coordinator know as soon as possible.

Fire: If a fire starts, take no risks and leave the location immediately. Get to a safe place and call 999.

Gas: If you smell gas, call the Gas Emergency Service on: 0800 111 999.

Electrical Work: Timebank members are not insured to do this type of activity. It is not one of the Timebank’s ‘registered activities’. This includes the use of power tools..

****


12

APPENDIX: 2

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

“People are reluctant to complain but only by knowing what has gone wrong will we be able to improve in the future”

We will treat all complaints seriously, with courtesy, fairness and in confidence.

• Any complaint or problem should be raised with the coordinator in the first instance when hopefully the matter can be resolved. However, if the member would rather speak/deal with a trustee please see contact email addresses on page 13.

Any complaints regarding the trustees should be made to OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) on 01382 220446.

• We will deal with complaints promptly - acknowledging receipt within 5 working days and dependent on the severity will aim to send a full reply within 20 working days of receipt.

• Should it be deemed necessary, a trustees’ meeting will be called when the complaint will be fully discussed. You will be kept informed.

• Should there have been a violation of the law or personal safety threatened, the trustees have the authority to suspend or dismiss the offending member from the Timebank and, if appropriate, report the member to the police.

• If the problem is less serious, the trustees may issue a written warning and an explanation as to why the member is in violation. Further warnings beyond the initial warning may be cause for dismissal.

• If the member/s involved in the grievance procedure are not satisfied with the trustees’ decision, then a written response must be sent to the trustees. After receiving this grievance letter, the trustees will conduct an investigation of the incident, at an appropriate time, and will provide a written response to the member/s involved again within 20 days. If more time is needed to respond, the person/s filing the grievance will be notified.

• The decision of the trustees is final.

****


13

FERRY TIME – BROUGHTY FERRY TIMEBANK

CONTACTS – 2018-19

Timebank Coordinator:

Jimmy Mooneyphone: 07975 943863 email: [email protected]: www.ferrytime.org.uk

Committee - Trustees:

Chair: Aileen Malcolm: [email protected]: Gail Foulis: [email protected]: Pat Baxter: [email protected]

Committee } Ethel Maclean: [email protected] Members } Marjorie McLennan: [email protected]

Social Committee:

Sandi LudlamEthel MacleanJennifer McDonaldMarjorie McLennan

Email: [email protected]

Keep up to date at our website: www.ferrytime.org.uk Follow us on Facebook: Broughty Ferry Timebank

OTHER INFORMATION

Trustees hold quarterly meetings to monitor activities and the financial position of the organisation. Members of the Timebank can request to have items on the meeting’s agenda.

AGM held each year

Coffee Companions held fortnightly on a Tuesday at 10.30. The coordinator will keep you informed about this activity. Do come along to catch up with the latest news…everyone is welcome.

****


http://www.ferrytime.org.uk/

mailto:[email protected]






http://www.ferrytime.org.uk/


14

NOTES****


15

NOTES****


16


file · Web viewEdgar S. Cahn . started out as a law professor, was Bobby Kennedy’s speech writer...

Documents

Transcript of file · Web viewEdgar S. Cahn . started out as a law professor, was Bobby Kennedy’s speech writer...