How does Community Timebank work?
By signing up to the Timebank Register you agree to be part of a circle of giving whereby you can contribute your skills to the community and benefit from the skills of others in the community. The Timebank facilitator makes these connections.
Timebank also runs a Business Network to link businesses together and to the community (See Business Network Page for more info).
In addition, Timebank supports local groups, clubs and activities by organising training for them and publicizing their events etc.

Who can join?
Any one at all can join Community Timebank, once they are at least seven years of age.

Why was Community Timebank set up?
Community Timebank came about to sustain our community in a time of rapid growth, social change and changing values. The founders of Community Timebank recognised the benefits of co-operation, of combining our talents and abilities and of creating something great together. Community Timebank was set up as a vehicle to do this.

What can TimeBank do for Glounthaune, Little Island, Knockraha and Brooklodge?
Community Timebank facilitates people to develop community amenities such as the Parish Palyground.
Timebank supports local groups from Erin’s Own to the Scouts to the Community Associations, helping them to achieve their goals.
Community Timebank helps people to get involved in things that interest them or to set up new groups like the Irish Speaking Group.
Community Timebank is also involved in facilitating new initiatives such as the Heartsafe Community Initiative and the Youth Café.
Community Timebank means that the potential of Glounthaune, Little Island, Knockraha and Brooklodge is endless.

Community Timebank and Social capital?
Community Timebank is about developing social capital.
Social Capital is basically connections among individuals and social networks which operate on a ‘give and take’ basis. Being connected to networks of co-operation is of great benefit to individuals as well to the greater community.
Extensive research exists which links greater Social Capital with improved health, greater individual well-being, better care of children, lower crime and suicide rates, and better quality of public government and the voluntary partnerships for the delivery of services.

What does the Facilitator do?
The current Facilitator makes the individual connections through the Timebank Register.
The Facilitator can also offer help and advice on local issues and problems and responds to requests for help.
The Facilitator supports local groups, clubs and activities to achieve their aims.
In addition, the Facilitator keeps people up to date through the Community Timebank Newsletter, the Connections Email, Text Messages and other media.
The Facilitator can also represent the views of the community with local representatives, Councils and statutory agencies.

What services does TimeBank provide?

• Connecting People and Facilitating the Development of Local Networks of Friends
• Developing Community Amenities–Playground and proposed Multi Use Games Area
• Connecting People With Similar Interests And Concerns Together
• Publishing Free Monthly Newsletter with Community News and Updates
• Maintaining Community Website
• Facilitating Environmental Projects – Community Clean Ups, Supporting Community Associations
• Providing Youth Services – Summer Youth Project
• Providing Services to Parents – Drugs Awareness Evening
• Operating An Asset Bank Of Skills, Interests, Experience And Goodwill
• Facilitating the Corporate Network and Organising Local Business Events
• Providing Expertise in Local Planning and Development Issues
• Facilitating Advice for individuals and companies on C.V.s, Interviews, Work Placements, Back-to-Work And Career Choices
• Text Alerts for Security Issues

How can I be sure you are representing my views?
Community Timebank cannot and does not act on its own, it can only facilitate local people to act. We operate an open door policy for local people to give their views on local issues and we invite any interested local people to join our action groups. Futhermore, the Board and Staff of Community Timebank is accountable to the Community at the AGM.

Is Community Timebank different to the Community Associations?
Community Timebank is a separate entity to the four Community Associations. We facilitate and support the Community Associations of Knockraha, Brooklodge, Little Island and Glounthaune.