Evidence library

In October 2007, Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS) was commissioned by Time Banking UK to undertake research to investigate the impact of Time Banking in Scotland. As outlined by Time Banking UK the project?s main aim was: "To measure the impact of Time Banking on members, in particular to evaluate the impact that being involved in a Time Bank may have in terms of a person?s human, physical, economic, social and cultural capital." METHODOLOGY Focus groups were carried out with members of five Time Banks, which were chosen to give a spread of organisation/locality based, rural/urban, with/without a targeted client group, and a spread of newer and more established Time Banks. The focus groups had between five and seven participants in attendance. KEY FINDINGS The research found that Timebanking made a positive contribution in six key areas: Physical capital, Human capital, Economic capital, Social Capital, Culutral capital and also Distance travelled. Examples include: ? Time Banking increases individuals knowledge of the skills they, and other members of the community, have. ? Individuals who have lost self-confidence through unemployment or ill health feel that Time Banking has increased their confidence. ? Time Brokers felt that the value of Time Banking went beyond economic calculations based on equivalent wages. ? Time Bank members recruit new members through word-of-mouth, acting as ambassadors in the local area. ? Many Time Bank members have undertaken more volunteering as a result of being involved in the Time Bank.