Mental health charity launches ‘time bank’ skills share scheme
Article published: Wednesday, October 26th 2011
A Longsight mental health charity is launching a new project for residents to share skills ranging from DIY to guitar lessons with one another. Staff at The Roby centre on Dickenson Road say the new ‘time banking’ scheme will help bring local people together and tackle ill health and isolation.
The Roby in Longsight
Part of a national scheme of 20,000 people, the time bank works through participants swapping their knowledge with others on any topic of their choice such as gardening, cooking or arts and crafts. Each hour spent sharing skills earns one ‘time credit’ to spend an hour of their choice learning a new subject taught through the bank whenever they need.
Roby worker David Adams said the project aids people with mental or physical health troubles to regain confidence based on sharing their strengths. “Instead of treating people as if they were ill we help others to realise what assets they have instead of treating them as a set of needs,” he said, arguing that the “bank” can also provide a way for people experiencing other issues such as unemployment to retain their independence and help others in their community.
The scheme will begin with a launch event at the 25-year old health centre at 2pm Thursday 27 October. A spokesperson for The Roby said all are welcome to attend and “try smoothies, sample some food, try an arts and crafts class or bring some of their own skills to share.”
Richard Goulding
You can find The Roby at 307 Dickenson Road, Longsight Manchester, M13 0NG. If you wish to help out or get involved ring 0161 257 2653 or email info@theroby.org.uk
More: Manchester, News, Welfare
Comments
-
If anyone is interested in a wider scheme that covers all of Manchester, check out Manchester LETS, a mutual scheme: http://www.manchesterlets.org
Comment by Sarah McCulloch on October 27, 2011 at 12:35 am
The comments are closed.
