Agenda item

To receive a short talk on the time banking initiative by Marc Balkham, the Time Banking Co-ordinator.

The Committee received a short talk on volunteering through time banking, from Marc Balkham the Voluntary Action Epping Forest (VAEF) time-bank co-ordinator; with him was Chris Overend the EFDC policy officer. His presentation is attached to theses minutes for information.

Mr Balkham noted that this scheme covered the Epping Forest District as well as Harlow. This was about an exchange of time and skills between time bank members. They need only do what they wanted, when they wanted to. As they volunteered they built up time credits and were able to claim it back.  Some examples of things that could be done were gardening, DIY, help with IT, languages, music or dance tuition. The scheme was free to join, with any exchanges covered by insurance. There was a simple online registration process that also required two referees. This was a requirement for joining, and both referees would be contacted and asked to provide a reference.

Some activities were best avoided such as providing direct care; anything carrying a financial risk; or repairs to cars and motorcycles for critical mechanical works such as breaks, steering or suspension; and childcare and anything connected with children.

Groups of members could become mini time banks, if they had a shared location or shared aims. Also, an organisation could become a mini time bank so that volunteers could bank hours to that organisation. Organisations that were members include Sue Ryder and Epping Forest Arts.

The meeting was then opened up to questions from members present.

Mr Balkham was asked how many members they had at present. He said that they had about 90 in all, covering the Epping Forest and Harlow area.

Councillor Surtees said he was reassured about them not working in child care but he needed more assurance about working with vulnerable persons of any age. Mr Balkham replied that everyone went through a vetting process. They did not allow one-to-one activities and no one under the ages of 16 was to be involved in time banking. But there was only a certain level of checks they could undertake and they relied on their national society to help and if necessary, carry out a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Councillor Sartin asked if they followed up on the references given and also were they hopeful of getting out into the more rural areas of the district. She was told that that they sent out a standard reference form to each referee. If satisfactory they would not need to follow up with a DBS. As for rural areas, they were trying to get as far as they could into the rural areas of the district.

Councillor Murray said that this service was new to him. Were they talking about Epping or Epping Forest; and what about the urban areas such as Loughton or Waltham Abbey? Also, what about the hours that people could take out or put in. He was told that they had moved into the Loughton area, but funding was finite for expansion but they were making progress. Waltham Abbey was a target for the future. As for hours, at present they had more people who give their time than take time out; they had people who have put in a hundred hours work and not taken anything out. Mr Overend added that if they could encourage the participation of employees and councillors, this would naturally spread the scheme out over the district.

Councillor Mohindra noted that they asked for two references, were they both taken up or was it just a judgement call. Mr Balkham replied that they sent out the reference forms to both of them and made a judgement call on what they received. If only one form was returned then they would chase up the missing one. If they did not receive a reply, then that applicant could not become a member.

Councillor Wixley asked if they paid expenses. He was told that everyone’s hour was of equal value and they wanted to take the economics out of the scheme so they had no plans for expenses as yet.

Councillor Neville asked if the demographics really varied a lot. He was told that they did have a lot of older members, with some young members, but they needed to get the middle sections involved, people who were working but could put in a few hours.

Councillor Angold-Stephens noted that a lot of youth councillors did voluntary work; had they done a presentation to them as yet. He was told that they had given a presentation to the youth council, but unfortunately at that time they were just about to sit exams, but there was a lot of enthusiasm for the concept.

The Chairman thanked Mr Balkham and Mr Overend for their interesting presentation and for answering the questions raised.