Hello Timebank members and friends!
We are now entering the festive period and so we need to put the lockdowns of 2020 behind us and start to look forward to a new year and new opportunities.
In this issue we are recapping on what our local Timebanks have been up to in recent weeks as well as providing resources for you to get involved in festive events and activities coming up this month.
What is Christmas?
It is tenderness for the past,
courage for the present
and hope for the future
Agnes M Pahro
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* COVID update
* Plan It, Cook It, Share It
* Members Audit
* Timebank Christmas dates
* Timebank area updates
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* Thank You's
* Short Stories shared by members
* Exchanges
* Four Greens volunteer call out
* Tech for Timebankers
* Dates & resources
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In brief, as we come out of Lockdown #2 the government has announced details of the new three tier system, we find ourselves situated in Tier 2.
As before, social mixing outside of households or support bubbles will not be allowed indoors.
The rule of six will apply outdoors.
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For Timebank South West this means we are still unable to host our socially distanced indoor meetings. However, we will continue our 'Virtual' meetings be it Facetime or Zoom, we will be there at our regular meeting times for each area:
Mondays:
11 -1 pm North Prospect Facetime with Sally
11 am Efford Zoom chat with Zoe
Tuesdays:
10 -11 Devonport Facetime, 11-12 noon Zoom chat with Zoe
11 -1 pm Barne Barton Facetime chat with Liza
Wednesdays:
11 - 12:30 pm Whitleigh Facetime with Sally
3-4 pm Stonehouse Zoom chat with Zoe
Fridays: 10 -12 noon Honicknowle Facetime chat with Sally
Please get in touch with your local Timebank Outreach worker to find out more about how to join in with our virtual meetings.
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Plan It, Cook It, Share It - Update
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Due to COVID lock-downs and the limited ability to engage with groups we have been forced to keep the Plan It, Cook It, Share It project on the 'back burner' for the rest of the year. This is not something we wanted to happen but we have to keep the safety of Timebank staff and members at the forefront of what we do.
Due to the ever-changing circumstances around COVID 19 we feel it would be unfair to make promises of cooking sessions in any form and not be able to carry them out or have to provide a 'diluted' version. As you can appreciate this is a very frustrating time for us all. Chris and the team have been really excited about getting the project up and running and eager to get cooking up some culinary delights in the kitchen.
We are hoping that we can get it up and running in the new year so please do not lose hope, it will happen!
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Timebank South West Members Audit
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Hi Timebankers, I'm slowly getting through contacting all members on our database. This is a chance for me to say hi and check if you would like to continue being part of Timebank. If I've not contacted you yet, please feel free to email me (Kimberley) or your outreach worker (Sally, Liza or Zoe) to let us know if you are happy to continue being a member or if you wish to take a break.
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Timebank Christmas Holidays
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If you are feeling fed up with the lockdown, alone and bored then we are here for you. Barne Barton Timebank host weekly Facetime socials so you can chat to people outside
of your bubble. They meet every Tuesday 11.00am 1.00pm. Have a laugh and get ready to make Christmas decorations. To find out more contact: Liza
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Before lockdown 2 started we were getting together in each others houses in small groups over a cuppa and a chat and we were also going on walks together. Recently we have been taking part in messenger chats and are also about to start a new project based on what we have been doing in lockdown. It will be an individual mosaic on a A4 piece of ply wood. If you would like to get involved please email Sally and she will get some materials to you. |
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In September we started back to our Wednesday socials and were mindful of the 2 meter social distancing rule. There were 3 groups of up to 5 people for 45 minutes with a 30 minute break to clean all areas used. We talked about the allotments in Ernesettle and at four Greens. Now that we are back in lockdown we are back to meeting on messenger chats.
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Over the last few weeks Efford Timebank members have been having zoom chats on Monday mornings where we have had the chance to keep in touch with one another and make sure all is well. Before lockdown #2 we were very please to have been welcomed back at the Efford Youth and Community Centre where we have been asked to create a piece of Timebank artwork to go on the wall, we look forward to getting started on it once we are ok to meet up in small groups again.
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When the Children went back to school everyone was eager to get out and do something. We started off with going on a walk around Central Park and having a cuppa in the cafe. The following weekend the rule of 6 came in so we had to adjust to make sure we were following government guidelines. We went on more walks around Central Park and also The Hoe and Barbican where we were able to sit on the quayside and have fish and chips and Langage ice cream. We are now back to having messenger chats.
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Devonport Timebank members have enjoyed making some beautiful autumn wreaths recently as well as knitted blue tits and robins. Over the last few weeks we have enjoyed continuing our meetings over Facetime but do look forward to when we can meet face-to-face again. As yet there is no word on when Devonport Live Cafe will re open for us to be able to have our Timebank meetings in their community room.
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Now that we are back in lockdown we are now supporting each other with phone calls but before lockdown started we were going out to anywhere we thought that might have a coffee shop so we could sit down and have a netter over a cuppa and piece of cake. We have been to Ikea, Trago, Newton Abbot, Kernow Mill and lots of different Garden Centres. We even had visitors from other Timebank area's come with us.
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Lockdown doesn't get one over on the Stonehouse Timebank members, we have enjoyed our virtual quizzes and catch ups on zoom as well as planning our Advent Box for this years daily advent box opening on Union Street, organised by Nudge Community Builders. We are looking forward to getting it ready at Union Corner once we can meet up in readiness for it's debut on the 16th December.
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Although lockdown #2 has been upon us as well as limited ability to meet with people, a few Timebank members have still managed to exchange hours and help out their fellow members and so we would like to say a special thank you to:
John B and Tony M for helping Alison to paint the walls in her front and back garden. A total of 6 hour banked between them.
John and Tony also helped out in Mary's garden, doing some weeding for her!
Wayne W for fixing Laraine's tablet. A total of 2 hours earned.
John B for helping Four Greens with unpacking 12 crates of food at the warehouse and also packing up the food parcels. A total of 4 hours earned so far.
Leanne for clipping Zoe's Guinea Pigs nails, 1 hour earned.
Thank you to all of you for your help and support!
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Time for a tantalizing tale or a chortle filled chapter?
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Members Tony and John have been busy lately creating some wonderful short stories and they are pleased to share them with you!
Tony's The Stone Rises is a wonderful tale of present meeting the past, follow To-Nee and our ancient ancestors hauling Bluestones to build Stonehenge.
John's story First Time Out - The Moonlight tells a comical tale of midnight flit,
and the next chapter First Time Out - The Other Side continues with the two gay men and an unconvincing transvestite having an other worldly experience when visiting a psychic.
These three stories are perfect for keeping you entertained on cold winters evenings; cosy up with a cuppa and give them a read, you wont be disappointed!
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Opportunities to exchange
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Do you need to get online on a mobile?
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We may be coming out of lock-down but the need to stay connected is more important than ever. Borrow Don't buy have recently donated tech to Timebank South west in order for us to help you keep in touch with family and friends as well as staying connected online. If your old mobile doesn't get you online so you can check in with emails or other online connections we can help! Just get in touch with Sally or Zoe to find out more.
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Also, Sally has a number of PC parts that are free to a good home, so if you need a new tower for your home computer or would like to find out more please contact Sally.
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This year has been incredibly hard for local retail and hospitality businesses. Shop 4 Plymouth are asking you to join our amazing cast of characters and make a pledge to shop locally for your Christmas gifts this year.
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Exciting news.... Plymouth Methodist Church have teamed up with the national radio station Premier to bring you a countrywide Christmas event.
So, on Sunday 20th December at 5:30pm we are going to hold Carols on your Doorstep. Join in with people from your street, your community and around the country by standing on your doorstep and singing a few carols. Carols on the doorstep
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Did you buy new tinsel? A bigger tree? A new set of baubles? A different dancing santa?
We want to help give your unloved shininess to people who need some extra cheer this year.
So if you've upgraded your sparkles then get in touch and do a good deed!
Email : BorrowDon'tBuy
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If you are able to help out Plymouth Foodbank please bring your donations down to their main hub in Stonehouse alternatively you can drop your donations into one of their trolleys at your local supermarket #endfoodpoverty #HelpingOthers #sharingiscaring
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Plymouth Library has brought back their Digital Lego Challenge for the month of December to create some festive fun!
Send your Christmas #Lego creation photos to their Facebook Page before midday every Monday so they can post them for everyone to see!
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A new Crowdfunder has launched to help provide much needed food support for people in the city this Christmas.
Help support the Mayflower 400 Get Active: Spirit of Christmas Food Hamper Campaign
The Mayflower 400: Get Active 'Spirit of Christmas' Crowdfunder appeal is guided by the Mayflower 400 values of humanity and future. The partnership between Argyle Community Trust and Four Greens Community Trust is aiming to raise £3,000 for urgent food support in Plymouth.
The target amount will be added to the £2,500 cash already raised and donations received from local businesses will help to provide a minimum of 100 food and activity parcels to families and individuals most in need. The parcels will include:
- Two weeks' worth of emergency food
- Christmas treats such as mince pies and Christmas cake
- Age-related activity packs to include family games, word puzzles, and a bespoke Mayflower 400 quiz.
To show your support for those in need this Christmas donate here
@mayflower400uk @PAFCCommunityTR and @4GCTHub
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In order for us to keep our wonderful memories in one place we have created a FLICKR profile, this is a website where we have a photo gallery of all the pictures you have shared with us visit our FLICKR photo gallery here. and see the pictures you have shared with us so far!
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From your Timebank Team -
Liza, Sally, Zoe, Chris and Kimberley.
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