Sophia Hubs is based in Seven Kings as a pilot for a national project to create local hubs that help to build a thriving local economy and a rich community life. We are running training courses, a weekly enterprise club with local speakers, business mentoring and more. Our aim is to harness the wide and amazing wisdom, skills, resources, expertise and ideas that are already here in the community. We are helping to inspire and kick start new social enterprises to meet the needs of Seven Kings/Ilford/Redbridge community.
Our next step is the Seven Kings time bank. A time bank is a skills exchange network. It will be a way for local people in Seven Kings and the surrounding areas to help each other, build relationships and be recognised for the help that they give. A time bank is a great way to get the services you need without the need for money plus to increase your confidence in the help you can give others with your own skills.
Time banks are running all over the country. Individuals join as members and then for every hour’s help you give to another (e.g. Spanish lesson, guttering mending, web design) you receive one time credit which you can then spend on receiving help from another member (leg waxing, bike fixing, horrible internet connection problem solving). The exchanges won’t have to be a give-take scenario between two people; time banking is a cycle of exchanges that continues on with many time bank members.
Sophia Hubs sees this as an important tool and resource to help our new entrepreneurs try out and develop their business offers and develop their customer base. It is also a good way of increasing the relationships and networks in a neighbourhood. The time bank broker (that’s me!) will be on hand to help you work out what you need, what you can offer and help to get you started.
The official launch will be announced soon through Redbridge CVS but in the meantime please register your interest at Sevenkingstimebank@sophiahubs.com or ring 020 8590 2568. If you want to find out more about our training courses or enterprise club please ring or email me on ros.southern@sophiahubs.com.
In the meantime there is also an exciting and fast growing time bank for organisations (rather than individuals) in East London which we advise all Redbridge groups and businesses to join. Find out more at ECHO: http://economyofhours.com/. This is an experienced time bank organisation that is helping us with the final plans for the Seven Kings time bank that is coming soon.
Ros Southern
Time bank broker, Sophia Hubs
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