If there is one positive thing that has come from the past 12 months, it has been the community coming together to support each other. Now, thanks to Atherstone and Mancetter Timebank, there is an opportunity for individuals in the area to help continue to foster this communal spirit.

The Atherstone and Mancetter Timebank is a volunteer-led program whereby local people 'donate' a few hours of their spare time each month to helping others. In return, they receive hours 'in credit' which can be redeemed by asking someone else at the timebank to do something for them.

For example, you may offer an hour of your time each week to teaching someone Spanish, and then as a result earn an hour a week for somebody to come to your house and do some gardening.

Volunteers can offer as well as request whatever skills they want; this could be a chat over the phone, free maths tutoring, gardening, car or window cleaning, or anything something else you might want

Warwickshire County Council Timebanking Coordinator Mick Spicer said to Nub News: "It is about encouraging people to make links, and build a community spirit.

"It's a way of reaching out, making new friends and helping each other out to support the great work that is already going on in Atherstone and Mancetter."

The timebank in Atherstone and Mancetter has been running for the past twelve months, with lots of volunteers gardening as well as completing other jobs for each other, making links and forming friendships.

In January 2021 the Timebank was taken on by the county council, which is now looking for someone locally to manage the day-to-day running for the timebank members.

Currently 30 members strong, the Atherstone and Mancetter Timebank needs an individual someone to offer around five hours a week dedicated to administration tasks, recruiting new members, advertising the timebank. Free training and support will be available from the WCC timebanking team.

Whilst the current situation means it is harder for a timebank to operate, as we return to normality, the possibilities for how the timebank can support Atherstone and Mancetter people are endless.

Mick continued: "If it wasn't lockdown, people would be able to go out and meet in person and build friendships and it would be helping the community in that way."

There are currently four timebanks across the county run by WCC Time4Warwickshire project team and Timebanking UK. The team is looking for people to join their local timebank too so check the Time4Warwickshire Facebook page or visit their website.

"Timebanks are a way for people to help others in their community and be rewarded for it – in time. 

"It's an easy way for communities to help themselves by asking local people to help out. Then you offer something back in return. People regardless of backgrounds and abilities can offer their time, their skills and services, and request those back from others when they need help.

"Timebanking is reciprocal neighbourly help. It is a way of spending one hour of time helping someone out and earning one time credit in return.

If you would like to find out more about Atherstone and Mancetter Timebank then please follow this link to their website.

If you are interested in helping run and manage the timebank in Atherstone then please contact Mick Spicer on 07825 938396