In this excerpt from the March/April edition of MentalHealth Today Magazine, Laura Sacha reports on a three-yearpilot in East Croydon exploring timebanking and the benefits forpeople with depression and anxiety. To read the article infullclick hereto subscribe.
When Alexandra joined the TimeBank in East Croydon, depressionwasn’t her only concern. Poor mental health had left her unable towork and her struggle to pay the bills was only increasing thestress and anxiety that made her life so difficult. “I hadexperienced some very hard times indeed as well as sufferingill-health, so I thought it was a wonderful idea when the TimeBankstarted as it meant I could get some services free of charge, aswell as offering some of my skills to members,” she said.
Alexandra was not alone; since it was set up in 2008, theTimeBank has helped many people in the local area to gain access toservices, as well as boost members’ confidence and self-esteem. TheTimeBank was set up by Depression Alliance (DA), which coordinatesa national network of peer-support services for people living withdepression. In 2008, it began piloting an employment and wellbeingproject in East Croydon, funded for three years by the Departmentof Health. The aim was for members to support each other through arange of non-medical interventions based around a timebankingscheme.
DA’s chief executive, Emer O’Neill, says: “Medical support forpeople with depression is excellent, but that is only one piece ofthe jigsaw as the illness can leave you in an extremely isolatedplace.”
By engaging in timebanking it was hoped that members wouldmaintain recovery, increase their social connections and improvetheir employment prospects. More than three years on and withmembers now running the project themselves, the benefits oftimebanking in a mental health setting are emerging.
Timebanking: an overview
There are nearly 100 timebanks in the UK with many more indevelopment. Individuals trade skills and are rewarded with’payment’ in a local currency based on time. One hour equals onecredit, with everyone’s skills and time valued equally. Forexample, Steve spends an hour tidying Tom’s garden. For this Steveearns one credit, which he spends with Tara, who is teaching him tospeak English.
Timebanking is based upon five core values characterised byreciprocity, respect and interdependency, which are vital forhealthy communities.
• People are assets: every individual has strengths, experience andknowledge to contribute.
• Redefining work: activities such as caring, improving theenvironment and lifelong learning should be recognised and rewardedas meaningful work activities.
• Working together: reciprocating help with help and moving awayfrom dependency.
• Building communities: acknowledging interdependence and thatsecure social networks bring more meaning to our lives.
• Empowerment: respecting and listening to the experiences of thosewho are being helped.
Building the DA TimeBank
DA’s TimeBank was largely co-ordinated by two staff members andbased at the East Croydon Medical Centre. The majority of memberswere referred by the local NHS Psychological Therapies team -usually on completion of treatments – and all were living withdepression. More than 70% were either unemployed or retired, andall members were encouraged to offer and receive TimeBank servicesto help them maintain recovery.
Building a community
Timebanks are used by people who share a local community. ForDA’s TimeBank to work, a sense of community was created through aseries of social groups and events, which became increasinglymember-led over time. Many members experienced high levels ofsocial anxiety, so this safe and supportive network formed thefoundations for the TimeBank to grow on. Before engaging in swapsmembers were given time to build confidence and develop trust ineach other gradually by participating in and later leading a rangeof activities including a support group, a women’s group, acreativity group, and an events group.
Accepting help
Many members were keen to volunteer their services but feltunworthy of receiving help from the TimeBank. This was reinforcedby anxiety around ‘saving’ credits in anticipation of difficulttimes ahead. To prevent the TimeBank from stagnating, individualswere regularly encouraged by staff and group members to accesshelp, and swaps were advertised through the monthly newsletter andin-house notice board.
“Through the TimeBank, people have started to recognise that theyare worthy of treats and help from others,” said employment andwellbeing co-ordinator Emily Wheeler. “This is a real confidencebooster and we see people become more balanced and healthy as aresult.”
Benefits of timebanking
• Structured social support
• Increased confidence through new experiences
• Opportunities to practice therapy techniques in a safesetting
• A sense of purpose and fulfilment
• A step towards employment – voluntary or paid
• Access to free services.
A step towards employment For the majority of members whowere unemployed or retired, TimeBank swaps offered a vital sense ofstructure, purpose and fulfilment. They were also an opportunity topractice organisational skills and therapy techniques learnedwithin medical services. A small number of members found paidemployment during their time in the project.
Timebanking is centred on trust in one another and hope for thefuture, two issues that are particularly difficult for people withdepression and anxiety. With the East Croydon TimeBank now beingrun by members themselves, DA is now working on a two-yearemployment and wellbeing project for Kensington and Chelsearesidents based within the local NHS Primary Care PsychologicalHealth team.
O’Neill hopes to roll out similar schemes across the country.”People from all walks of life and with common experiences cametogether to discover what they like to do – and we just let thatroll.”
To read the article in fullclick here to subscribe (Note: allservice users’ names have been changed)
