What does Covid-19 mean for Timebanking?
Dear Timebankers,
We know that many of you may be feeling concerned and anxious about Coronavirus with recent news asking people to self-isolate and reduce social gatherings to stop the virus from spreading, particularly to our most vulnerable and at risk people in Plymouth/UK.
You may be feeling worried about self-isolating and the thought of feeling lonely or you may be worried about your family, friends and others. You may also be concerned about practical details such as getting food and supplies in.
At Timebank South West the safety of all our members, your families, your friends and your neighbours are very important to us and whilst we have had to take the very difficult decision to suspend all weekly socials, activities and events to minimise the risk to you, Timebanking will still continue during this time, just in a different way.
We have been exploring a variety of creative ways in which we can offer practical support, encourage neighbourliness and help keep you connected with each other.
- The Timebank Team, Liza, Sally, Zoe and Chris and our Trustees will be working with you in the coming weeks to offer help, share positive stories, keep you connected and support you to be neighbourly to help the most vulnerable in your community.
- We will be using a variety of online platforms including Messenger, Zoom, Skype, Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook and we will offer advice on how you can get connected and join in.
- We will be hosting our weekly socials online at the same time and day as they usually take place, and we encourage you to come online to talk to your timebank friends and share how you are coping.
- We will run activities online such as craft making, gardening Q&A, gentle exercise, reading aloud, basic yoga, knitting and sewing etc and we want to hear from you as to what activities you would like to take part in.
- We would love you to share your self-isolation stories, practical tips and ways you or others have helped your neighbours. Maybe you would like to host your own activity or chat forum? If so let us know!
- Chris will be hosting online cooking Q&A sessions, cooking demos, cooking quizzes and sharing recipes. Cooking demos will also be put on our YouTube page for you to watch at any time.
How you can help
At a time like this being a good neighbour is key to supporting those who are the most vulnerable in Plymouth.
There are 5 practical steps you can take to help:
We would love to hear from any Timebankers willing to be neighbourly to help the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions who are self-isolating for 12 weeks and who are most at risk. If for example you can offer shopping, cooking meals or collecting tablets for a neighbour please get in touch and we will help to co-ordinate support.
We will be setting up various online platforms and will send you further details as of next week (23rd March onward).
We will also be contacting those of you who have been members for a while so we can check we have the correct contact details for you and update any changes of what you want to give or get.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or wish to help please contact us:
Liza: liza@timebanksw.org M: 01752 875930
Sally: sally@timebanksw.org
Zoe: zoe@timebanksw.org
Chris: chris@timebanksw.org
F: Timebank South West
Twitter: @TimebankSW