Timebank Outreach Opportunities: Ways to get involved and earn hours

If you find an area that you are passionate about, or if you have one that is not yet listed, please get in touch to get started. Email timebank@taranaki.gen.nz

​Markets:
The next market is on the 4th of June at Ngmoutu Beach. It's our biggest market of the year, and we are currently asking Timebank members, new and old, to help with the set up, take down and assistance with helping new members sign up during the event. It's from 10-3. I will be there to set up our gazebo at 9 and will be there for the duration of the event until about 3:30. Any time used to help with the market will be given as Timebank hours.

Community Gardening:
Newstart Community Gardens will be holding an open day in either June or July and may be on the Sustainable Backyards Trail. If you haven't heard of it, the gardens are part of the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Saxton road in Vogeltown. It is managed by one of our Timebankers and I used to volunteer there with my son every Friday. All food harvested is delivered weekly to Cook Street and Glen Park ave. They currently need help weeding and harvesting, and a working bee is a way to get everyone together once a month. Date for the next one is to TBD, and if you are interested in volunteering on a consistent basis, please let me know. Timebank hours are awarded for any volunteering at the gardens. 

Radio
Access Radio hosts our weekly show, It's About Time. I typically coordinate with our two hosts, Bernie and Trix, although we are looking for more interviewees and interviewers to be featured. We talk about Timebank, what's going on in the community, and ideas or ways to get involved. It's very casual and a lot of fun. Access Radio is a great asset to our community, and they have done wonders in promoting Timebank over the last year. 

Elderly outreach
Elderly outreach is ongoing. Every Friday at 10am, Michelle Bent, from Access radio hosts residents from the Jean Sandel retirement village and volunteers who like to provide companionship. You can receive hours for attending as well as a cup of tea or coffee and some good conversations. Please let me know if you are interested, and I will put you in touch with Michelle for the next one. 

Disaster Relief
In terms of Disaster Relief, the Red Cross has joined our Timebank as an organisation, and we support their initiatives. Some of our timebank members collect donations during designated fundraisers for example, and they may receive hours for their time volunteering. 
 
Resource Recovery
Timebank has partnered with the Taranaki Environmental Education Trust which currently is in the development phase of the Community Reuse and Recylce Centre on Colson Rd. 

Website and Social Media
We are looking for people to write reviews, invite friends to like the Facebook page, start a group discussion, and/or write a blog for a newsletter or our new website, www.taranakitimebank.nz. This helps increase our reach and engage our audience, so it goes in line with the Radio Show.
Just as a side note, for anyone who volunteers for the sake of volunteering please feel free to donate your timebank hours to our Community Chest. The Community Chest is then used to support charitable organisations that may require volunteers. Please email me the hours, and I will make the updates so you receive the certificate via email.

Nga mihi,
Brittany