Do you live in the Guardamar area? Do you have time to spare? (14/10/2009)
Are you interested in exchanging your skills with others in your community? If so, then ‘Timebanking’ is for you.
Guardamar will host a joint presentation to the public about Time Banking on Thursday 22 October at 10:00 in the Casa de Cultura, where anyone interested in finding out more can come along.
The event is organised jointly by Guardamar Town Council and the British Consulate in Alicante in an attempt raise the profile of Volunteering throughout the town and to encourage local people to get more involved in innovative projects and special initiatives.
‘Timebanking’ is already a world-wide phenomenon and is widely known throughout parts of Spain. Guardamar’s initiative, however, is unique in that the joint planning and presentation of the event by the British Consulate and Guardamar’s Town Hall is aimed at encouraging integration between the town’s Spanish speaking population and its European residents.
Principally, the initiative is about ‘exchanging time’ – a system where money is not involved in the process and where people voluntarily exchange their abilities ‘in hours’. For example, John helps Fred in his garden for 2 hours. As a result of this he has two hours of ‘banked time’ which he can use when he wishes to with a service from someone else in the Time Bank.
It is already a tried and tested system which has been hugely successful in befriending and home-visiting initiatives. It can also be used to break down language barriers and issues of isolation. Co-ordination is key in the process and during the event, people will have the chance to sign up as volunteers and potential co-ordinators.
If you think ‘Timebanking’ could be for you. Have a look at www.timebanking.org.uk or simply come along to the event on the day. More details on the event can be obtained from the Tourist Office in Guardamar in the main square or call them on 965 724 488.
