Skills Uncovered & Time to Shine projects 2023

We work closely with social prescribers who refer people to us for a variety of reasons. We have seen a general increase in referrals from other organisations including Four Greens Wellbeing Hub, Budshead Medical Practice, Healthy Futures, Red Cross, Plymouth Energy Community, Age UK, Colebrook Wellbeing Hub, Plymouth Community Homes and Plympton Wellbeing Hub. 

In 2022 the individuals referred were aged 35 to 86 with a variety of conditions and concerns including feeling lonely and isolated, reduced physical activity, dementia, low mood, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, asthma and fibromyalgia. Effective early intervention could prevent an escalation of these conditions before they become increasingly debilitating and needing increased medical intervention. 

The majority referrals wanted similar support to meet new people, make friendships, have a reason to get out of the house, means to get help within their community with small tasks and to offer their own skills/time to others.

We know people have an abundance of skills but often need help/support to see this. Skills can often go untapped, particularly by those who have long term conditions, feel lonely and / or have low mood. 

Skills Uncovered created opportunities for Timebank members to use their skills and knowledge to help new members get involved. This was through one to one support with a referral or talking to people about Timebank at public events and po-ups across the city. 

Once Volunteer Buddies were identified, training was given in order to give them the confidence to meet with potential new members, identify boundaries, manage expectations as well as understand GDPR and equality issues. 

Promoting Timebank from a members perspective gives an open and honest perspective and provides opportunities for a different level of engagement than what may be had with an Outreach worker or Employee. 

Training sessions were held for all timebank members who were interested in finding out about the role. These sessions were aimed at providing a little more in-depth knowledge on GDPR, Equality, Safeguarding and boundaries. 

Buddies met with individuals outside of Timebank groups to talk about what we do and how it works, they met people outside of venues to provide a relaxed entrance and introduced them to other members to make them feel at ease. 

Volunteer Buddies were also able to provide support at events and drop-ins across the city. Promoting Timebank and providing a members perspective which was very successful. 

Often, the first thing you will hear in response to “what could you do to help another member?” will be “oh I can’t do anything!”. Our Volunteer Buddies have been a vital part in creating conversations with people and discovering a plethora of things they can do in a single conversations. Often it is through these conversations where members understand the value of what they simply enjoy doing and can then see how it would be appreciated by another member. 

Equally, our Volunteer Buddies have discovered many more ‘strings to their bow’ throughout this project; links to gardening groups, organizing trips and offers to support others outside of Timebank have been created.