What have we been up to lately?
Workshops, projects, art exhibitions & more ...
Timebank members are encouraged to share their skills in a multitude of ways, whether it's an activity they have done before or something completely new, we really thrive on seeing individuals learn new skills and meet new people.
The main focus for some members is attending their local Timebank Social, this is a weekly 2 hr slot in which members enjoy a cuppa, a chat and an activity. These sessions provide an opportunity for them to offer their skills or request the expertise of someone else. These requests or offers are then put out to the whole of the Timebank membership in order to ensure everyone is kept in the loop and support is given as soon as we can.
There are eight Timebanks across the city, therefore plenty opportunities to Get Active, Get Learning, Get Social & Give Back!
|
|
|
Not only do we share skills for individuals, we also help out organisational members by getting involved in their projects or attending workshops. We are also happy to lend a hand in non-member requests too, below are some examples of how we have helped out recently.
|
|
|
Food Plymouth - FoodSEqual Workshops
|
|
|
|
During March members from Efford, Ernesettle, Whitleigh and Barne Barton were invited to take part in workshop with Lisa and Louise as part of their FoodSEqual Project work.
Lisa and Louise visited each Timebank a week before the planned workshops to meet everyone and explain the project, the aim of the workshops, and give potential participants information sheets and consent forms.
On the day of each workshop members were asked to think about what people are eating and what they would like to change about their diet. It was a 2 hour informal workshop with oral, written and interactive methods using photos of food to start conversations about what people are eating. All members who participated found the session very interesting and also rather enlightening. Visit Food Plymouth to find out more about food related projects in Plymouth.
|
|
|
In Stonehouse we were visited by First-year BA (Hons) Fine Art student Yvonne Mousley who has been exploring the transitional and cathartic process of turning an internal world of emotions into an external visual language through mixed media.
Initially producing artwork on bedding, Yvonne went on to re purpose that work into the project - Put it to bed. We were asked to take a piece of the bedding she had painted and use it, along with any other additional bed related fabric, to depict what we would like to put to bed.
It was an enjoyable and thought provoking experience.
Yvonne held an exhibition of all the work in Devonport Live Cafe.
|
|
After a recent visit to Plymouth Play and Scrap Store outreach worker Zoe learned about Morsbags from Jane Hemrow and felt inspired to get creating some! A morsbag is about Sociable, Guerilla Bagging. Reducing the use of plastic bags.
Enquiries were made and Creative Connector Charlotte came along to Devonport Timebank in order to have a chat with members and see what other types of activities or projects we may be able to join up with. Charlotte invited members in for a to visit to explore the treasures within much to everyone's delight.
So far Efford, Stonehouse and Devonport timebanks have made 19 bags and more are on their way! Find out about Morsbags here.
|
|
Trauma Teds for the D&S Fire Service
|
|
|
|
Over recent months Timebank members have had their knitting needles at the ready to create some wonderful teddies for the Devon and Somerset Fire Service. The 'trauma teds' are hand knitted bears carried on board fire trucks. The bears are made by people in the community who want to ensure that any child involved in a fire rescue can receive one in the hope that it will help give them a little comfort in a time of distress.
Outreach worker Zoe had spoken with Fireman Sean Avery of Blue Watch - 49 Crownhill who said -
"I have been in the fire service since 2002. When I first joined the service we always had Trauma Teds on our front line fire appliances but they seem to have disappeared over the years for no real reason.
I have my own experiences of giving the Trauma Teds away at incidents but what has been lovely is some of the people who have contacted us have shared their experiences with me. Reading the stories and seeing it from the recipients side has been a big motivator to get these Teds out of retirement and back onto our trucks.
Our plan is to re launch the Teds in Plymouth to begin with, once we have enough stock to launch them throughout the entire service, there will be a website update and social media update. Once we have the stock and every front line appliance has a Ted we would like to be the "Trauma Ted Hub" for the emergency services ie Police, Ambulance, RNLI, Search and Rescue etc."
After such an inspiring chat the call out was sent for anyone who could knit to get in touch and start a collection of bears to donate. We have just given over the first batch of around 60 bears and were more than happy to have a photo with the chaps from Blue Watch to promote this!
They are still looking for more bears so if you would like to knit a bear or two please get in touch with Zoe and she will send you the pattern. Sean mentioned that Teds dressed as Fireman are in high demand and so we also have a pattern for a fireman outfit too.
|
|
|
Timebank, as you may well know, is a charity with a part time workforce of 5 and therefore it isn't always easy for us to get ourselves 'out there' to promote what we do with the public. Thankfully, we have some wonderful members who are keen to blow our trumpet for us! We have set up at events in Efford, Devonport. Honicknowle, Whitleigh, Ernesettle and North Prospect and have been very lucky in having Timebank members there to engage with the event visitors. Who better to explain what we do than the people who actually do it.
|
|
Twice a year Efford Timebank members get their wellies on and clamber up the hill off' Pike Road in order to join Tess Wilmot of All Ways Apples in maintaining the community orchard in Efford. In September we collect windblown apples and then wash, chop and press them on site to create the most delicious fresh apple juice you can imagine! In March we go back to learn about pruning and tending the trees to ensure they are ready to provide apples in abundance for the coming Autumn.
|
|
Plympton Lamb Feast
Sally and Kirsty recently enjoyed promoting Timebank at the Plympton St Maurice Civic Association's Lamb Feast. The Annual Family day out was held at Plympton St Maurice Castle Green and hosted a range of local Businesses and charity stalls as well as games for the whole family, classic cars and various arena events, and of course a range of food on offer.
Kirsty said of the day - "What an amazing event! It
was a great opportunity to promote the launch of our new Plympton timebank on Saturday 2nd July at the Rees Centre, Mudge Way. Also a chance for us to let people know all about timebanking. We talked to lots of people who had never heard of a timebank before, had one person sign up on the day, quite a few say they'd be popping along to the launch and some organisations keen to work with us too. And no rain until it was time to go home!"
|
|
|
What's coming up?
Plympton Timebank launch, resources and other info
|
|
|
We are very pleased to announce that the first of our NEW Timebanks will be up and running in early July!
Join Timebank team members Sally and Kirsty at The Rees Centre on Saturday 2nd July from 1 pm - 3:30pm to find out all you need to know about Timebanking in Plympton. Pop down for a chat and to enjoy some refreshments and activities.
Timebank South West are proud to provide a friendly, supportive and fun way to engage with others in your community. A safe place to share your knowledge and skills, use these to help others and discover what help others can offer you.
Whether it's something you have learned, something you practice or a natural ability, we want to know all about it! |
|
|
|
|
|