At it’s basis Leeds Creative Timebank’s premise is very simple – we enable payment for work in hour credits in place of cash or favours. But we’ve taken a little time to explain how this might work best for you.
An alternate economy
The Timebank enables an alternate economy. Creatives can pay each other for work in time credits rather than cash, favours or good will.
- Time credits can be paid in whole or part hours.
- Both parties need to be members – it’s simple enough to join – or the recipient can nominate the payment to be made to another member or the community fund.
- Work can be arranged directly (by contacting someone you know with the associated skills), by sourcing a supplier through social networks or by asking the Timebrokers (Timebank admins) to conduct a search for you.
However there are also alternate approaches…
“I don’t have sufficient credits…”
If you haven’t sufficient time credits you can place a request and note you’ll need project support credits – which can be funded from donations, loans and grants
Donations
Many members have significant savings of time credits – there may be some willing to donate them to you to allow your project to progress. It is possible to attach terms to the donation – such as a requirement to ‘pay it forwards’ in the future.
Members can also donate to the community fund – which can be used by Timebrokers to provide grants to members (see below)
Loans and Grants
Depending on the nature of the work/tasks you’re briefing the Timebrokers may choose to offer you a loan or grant to enable the work to proceed. This may have requirements such as match funding or repayment terms. Just let us know when you make your request.
“I don’t know who to use…”
Our Timebrokers (Timebank admins) are able to do a search on your behalf and find you members who can fulfil your brief. Just complete the request form to start the process.
“I’m not sure what I need to do next…”
We have plenty of members who can help you work out how to progress your project or work through the next steps – raise a request and let us know where you are up to and the Timebrokers can work with you to identify how best to help you proceed.