How Torbay Timebank is connecting neighbours and building community

A new year often brings fresh starts and new possibilities, and one opportunity worth stepping into is the Torbay Timebank. You may be wondering: what exactly is a Timebank?

Timebanking is a simple but powerful way for neighbours to support one another by exchanging time instead of money. Members offer skills such as dog walking, light gardening, DIY help, tech support, or even meeting someone for a cup of tea. For every hour you give, you earn one-time credit, which can be used to receive help from another member. One hour always equals one credit, making the system fair, straightforward, and built on mutual respect, with everyone’s time valued equally.

Anyone can join. You don’t need special skills—just a willingness to help and be part of your community. Timebanking turns everyday acts of kindness into a shared community resource.
https://devonconnect.org/torbay-timebank

A Timebanking story in action from Ellacombe

In Ellacombe, I met Diane, who lived at the top end of a road and was looking for someone to walk her dog, Bella, while she was at work. I suggested she join the Timebank so her request could reach more people, and I also said I’d keep an eye out locally.

A week or so later, I met Angela, who had recently moved to Ellacombe and lived at the bottom end of Diane’s road. I explained my community-building role and, remembering Diane’s request, asked Angela if she might like to walk a dog nearby a couple of times a week. Angela wasn’t sure at first, but a few days later she phoned to say she’d give it a go and joined the Timebank to earn Time credits.

I introduced Diane and Angela, and it turned out to be a great success. Diane later helped Angela with gardening tips, and before long, they were meeting up for Sunday lunches. Angela also used her Timebank credits to get help from Ade, who fixed her gate and painted a piece of furniture to freshen it up. Through the Timebank, two people living on the same street—who had never met before—were able to connect, support one another, and build a friendship.

Angela says: “It helped me a lot because I didn’t know many people here, and I found a really good friend. I also really enjoyed taking Bella out.”

Diane says: “Angela has been a very good friend, and even though I’ve moved, we still keep in touch. I really enjoyed the time we spent together because we visited each other in our homes, and I’m very grateful that Angela took Bella out while I was at work.”

From dog walking to DIY and new friendships, Timebanking shows how small exchanges of time can make a big difference—creating stronger, more connected communities where everyone benefits.

If you’d like to find out more, please send us a message, we’d love to chat!

Usha, Community Builder
Email: ushagarrattley@torbaycdt.org.uk
Mob: 07702 557723