Time Union Coventry (Est. 2014)
How does Time Union work?
Time Union is designed to mobilise the skills, talents, and goodwill of local people. We are a community-based system, where services are exchanged based on time rather than money. For example, if you spend an hour helping someone with gardening or teaching them an instrument, you earn a ‘time credit’ which you can later spend to receive an hour of help from someone else, whether its computer repair, crochet lessons, or learning a new language.
Far more than just an exchange of hours, Time Union brings people together to collaborate in a thriving, supportive network. This system nurtures connection and solidarity, ensuring everyone’s skills are valued whilst empowering people with a greater sense of agency in their own communities. Whether you are sharing your skills or learning from others, Time Union encourages meaningful contributions, reinforcing the idea that we all have something valuable to offer and we all have something valuable to gain. This not only enhances personal well-being but also builds a sense of community reliance, fostering sustainability by reducing reliance on external systems
To join
Fill out the short Time Union application form [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/applytimeunion]. You are welcome to meet with a development worker at the Pod for an informal chat about Time Union, you can arrange this before or after filling in your application. If you have any questions or are unsure what you might exchange, feel free to get in touch to discuss. People often have more to offer than they realise.
The Pod - Time Union
Quality standards
These are the Time Union’s Quality Standards, which you agree to follow when you become a Time Union Member.
As a Time Union Member, you agree that you will:
- Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Any form of abuse, discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated.
- Refrain from promoting your political, religious or spiritual beliefs to other Members.
- Respect the privacy of other Members and treat all personal information in confidence.
- Do tasks on your own or only with other Time Union Members; do not involve your friends or relatives in Time Union activities by bringing them to a member’s home or venue of time exchange unless previously agreed.
- Receive help, as well as give it, by spending your Time Credits, so that other Members can make a difference and feel valued.
- Do each task at the time and place you agree to do it, or give as much notice as possible if you can’t.
- If arranging exchanges directly, keep the time broker updated upon your arrangements to ensure you receive your time credits.
- Provide regular feedback on your exchanges. This allows any concerns to be picked up and addressed, as well as capturing positive stories and impact that will support Time Union to grow.
- Agree to meet fellow members in a safe, public place to build a rapport and discuss exchange expectations and experience, particularly before doing anything in the home.
- Not use Time Union as a platform for financial gain, whether for yourself or somebody related to you. Accept only small tokens of appreciation of low value, when these are freely offered by another Member. If an exchange has a financial cost, i.e. petrol for giving a lift, materials for a craft, generally the receiver will be expected to pay this. When there is no clear offerer or receiver, for example, when sharing a meal or gig, each party should contribute for themselves.
- Contact the Time broker if any difficulties or concerns arise or if you have any concerns about the health, safety or well-being of another Member. In the absence of the Time Broker, you can report these to a member of the Pod staff.
Any behaviour that breaches these Quality Standards is unacceptable and may lead to the restriction, suspension or withdrawal of your Time Union membership.
Your questions answered
Do I have to have formal / ‘recognised' technical / professional skills or can I just offer my company?
Whilst some of our members choose to offer skills that they are professional in, this is not a requirement. Many of our members are offering skills that they do as a hobby, or haven’t done for a while and would like to get back into. Some members offer things that they would like to get better at themselves and can learn more about by working collaboratively with somebody else! Many of our members are also offering their time socially – to meet for tea & conversation, or to visit events or attractions.
There is no minimum standard, we just ask that members are clear with each other about their requirements and experience, i.e. if you are offering a specific skill, be clear about your experience within it. Depending upon the exchange, people may be happy to ‘have a go’.
If I’ve just joined, can I start asking for offers immediately or do I need to wait until I’ve accrued credit?
If you have just completed the joining process (application, meeting the Time Union Admin) then you have already earned 1 time credit! You can start receiving time and skills from others straight away, assuming there is an exchange opportunity. Unlike a regular bank account, there is no penalty for being in debt. All that is asked is that you give your time to someone else in the scheme when the opportunity arises. We recognise that there will be greater demand on some skills than others. In line with other Time Banks across the UK we cap member debt at - 25 hours. The same is true with credit. If one is only earning time, and not spending time, then there is no flow... no current. It's important to earn and spend Time. That's why we call it currency.
I’ve been invited to an initial meeting for an exchange with a Time Union admin and a Time Union Member. What will the meeting entail?
This meeting will happen during core working hours Monday – Friday from 10am – 4pm. At this meeting the members will meet to discuss the exchange to organise where it will happen, for how long and what is expected from the exchange. For example if gardening is the exchange, the members will talk about what they would like done in their garden. If it’s more heavy duty work which is more intensive labour than gardening, this would be the best time for the member offering (with the support of Time Union admin) to let them know this is not suitable for them. Or if it sounds like they need professional work we can help point them in the right direction or reconsider their request to a more suitable one. Time Union admin will also go through the Time Union guidelines especially for our newest members. If the members can’t meet during The Pod café opening hours they can meet in a public place of their choosing but a member of Time Union admin cannot be present for this meeting but can support via email before and after during working hours. There will also be the opportunity to meet at Time Union social gathering at The Pod Café during the evening.
Can I arrange my own exchanges?
Time banking is a managed service, which means that a Time Bank administrator will arrange exchanges on your behalf. This helps us to keep the system running smoothly and safely and helps keep our records up to date.
How to keep myself safe on exchanges?
Time Union is based on trust but to insure you are extra safe here are a few guidelines. Let someone in your life besides a Time Union admin that you are going on an exchange and who and where. Don’t share too much personal information with Time Union members. Make sure inform time union exchanges are organised by Time Union admin. Take advantage of the first administrated meetings at The Pod or make sure you met in a public space for the first initial meeting if it’s outside core working hours.
I haven’t been in touch with Time Union Admin for a while but I have been doing exchanges. Can I bank my time credits if I keep track of how many I’m gaining/spending?
We can’t retrospectively give you time credits without knowing the exchange has happened. We need you to be in contact with Time Union Admin in advance of an exchange and every time an exchange has happened either straight after or a maximum of a week after. Usually it’s the person who has requested and received from the exchange. This allows us to update your Time credits as you go as well as give any support necessary for the exchanges and members.
What’s the best way to contact a Time Union Admin?
You can contact us by our email: timeunion.thepod@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:timeunion.thepod@coventry.gov.uk]. We will no longer be using facebook private messaging service due to new data protection rules. This is to allow a more secure and safe way of communicating through our council email address. Also this helps the traffic of communication come through the same avenue allowing us to be more efficient and responsive to you as possible.
I have heard there is a limit of the amount of exchanges you can do with one Time Union member at a time. Why is this and what if the exchange requires more than the limit?
In general we say 3 exchanges per person at one time. However the Time Union exchanges limit is dependent on what is being exchanged and we take in to account that certain exchanges such as language would take more than 3 exchanges/sessions. We have the limit for 2 reasons.
- Exchanges such as gardening are very popular and seasonal and with only a few members offering gardening this limit allows every member requesting gardening to have their fair share. If you have had 3 exchanges for gardening, don’t worry your turn will come back round again. Time Union is about sharing time and skills and also allowing everyone to have their fair share of everyone’s time and skills too.
- With a membership of over 100 members which is constantly growing we want our members to collaborate/exchange with each other as much as possible so to build on the sense of community. We have some exchanges such as cooking which is offered by many members so after 3 exchanges Time Union admin would set you up with another member to exchange cooking with. Each member also brings their own unique personality, skills, approach and method to each exchange which can benefit the person receiving the exchange. Using cooking as an example the person who has requested the exchange can build up their repertoire of different dishes and cuisines from the different members and therefore having the best experience from Time Union they possibly can.
How long is each exchange?
It is dependent on the exchange. For example Gardening is maximum 3 hours = 3 Time credits. However, Time credits for the Food Union allotment site is 1 Time credit per session. Most exchanges on average are an hour long but we listen to the members offering them to understand how much each exchange would take up. Cooking may take longer due to preparation of the food, cooking time and of course enjoying the food too.
If you are unsure just check with your Time Union Admin.
I want to request an exchange but with a specific gender or age demographic. Is this okay?
We do not set up member exchanges according to age, gender, ethnicity or sexuality.
Time Union is about celebrating equality and diversity. We set up exchanges with which members are active and available. If an individual has reasons for such a request that are personal or culturally reasons and they are happy to disclose this with a time union admin we will then look to seek a solution.
I’m keen to be more active within Time Union but my offer isn’t being taken up. What can I do?
We find that people are more likely to arrange an exchange with somebody that they have already met, so it may help to come along to a get together or get involved in other exchanges. You could create something that tells other members more about you & your offer – a paragraph or picture – and ask the Time Admin to share it in the newsletter.
Do I have to be active member at all times?
We understand that people are busy at different times of the year or different stages of their life. If you want a break from Time Union all you have to do is contact Time Union admin and ask for your account to be put on hold. Just remember to tell us when you want to be active again.
Are there any restrictions on what I can offer or request?
No exchanges involving childcare, personal care, financial matters or counselling/advice. Time Union isn’t here to replace professional services, but to build individual and city capacity. We can’t replace paid workers or take on regular commitments such as ongoing care work or weekly cleaning, gardening, etc. It’s over 18’s only and DBS checks aren’t part of the application process.