31/7/2008Royal honour for heroes of city skill-swap group
TIME can be worth more than you think - as the members of a Castlemilk group found out when it received The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Winter presented the award, which is equivalent to an MBE, to Castlemilk Timebank at a reception for more than 100 members.
The Timebank is made up of people from their 20s to their 80s who swap skills and do odd-jobs.
One hour of your time entitles you to an hour of someone else's time.
The Lord Provost, representing the Queen, said he was immensely impressed by what he described as a "simple, but effective way of bartering local skills, time and knowledge."
He said: "Castlemilk Timebank is a shining example of how such a scheme should work, building effective community relationships and helping the most disadvantaged in your midst."
He went on to pay tribute to the members' determination at the event at Glasgow City Chambers.
He added: "I was staggered by the success of the project and the sense of self-help and pride it has injected into your fiercely proud and independent community."
Project co-ordinator Gloria Murray, whose drive and vision was praised by the Lord Provost, said: "We really felt overwhelmed to receive such a prestigious award. It is a great honour, not just for our project, but for the people of Castlemilk."
The group, which won the Evening Times Local Heroes award in 2006, is based on an American concept and was set up nearly seven years ago.
Ironing, dog-walking, gardening, shopping, befriending, picking up prescriptions, organising transport to and from hospital, even knitting and crocheting expertise are swapped.
Small joinery work and painting can be done, but the scheme doesn't want to take work from tradesmen.
"Quite a few of our members have health issues," said Gloria. "Being involved and contributing to Timebank builds up self-confidence and self-esteem. It is very rewarding. Everybody has something they can give."
Administrator Janetta Ross said: "Families are fragmented now. People don't have aunts and grannies around the corner.
"One woman who helped run a toy library would tell some of the young mums how to make a pot of soup - skills that are not passed down now."
Credits are deposited centrally in the Timebank and withdrawn when needed - and nobody charges you interest if you become overdrawn.
Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Winter presented the award, which is equivalent to an MBE, to Castlemilk Timebank at a reception for more than 100 members.
The Timebank is made up of people from their 20s to their 80s who swap skills and do odd-jobs.
One hour of your time entitles you to an hour of someone else's time.
The Lord Provost, representing the Queen, said he was immensely impressed by what he described as a "simple, but effective way of bartering local skills, time and knowledge."
He said: "Castlemilk Timebank is a shining example of how such a scheme should work, building effective community relationships and helping the most disadvantaged in your midst."
He went on to pay tribute to the members' determination at the event at Glasgow City Chambers.
He added: "I was staggered by the success of the project and the sense of self-help and pride it has injected into your fiercely proud and independent community."
Project co-ordinator Gloria Murray, whose drive and vision was praised by the Lord Provost, said: "We really felt overwhelmed to receive such a prestigious award. It is a great honour, not just for our project, but for the people of Castlemilk."
The group, which won the Evening Times Local Heroes award in 2006, is based on an American concept and was set up nearly seven years ago.
Ironing, dog-walking, gardening, shopping, befriending, picking up prescriptions, organising transport to and from hospital, even knitting and crocheting expertise are swapped.
Small joinery work and painting can be done, but the scheme doesn't want to take work from tradesmen.
"Quite a few of our members have health issues," said Gloria. "Being involved and contributing to Timebank builds up self-confidence and self-esteem. It is very rewarding. Everybody has something they can give."
Administrator Janetta Ross said: "Families are fragmented now. People don't have aunts and grannies around the corner.
"One woman who helped run a toy library would tell some of the young mums how to make a pot of soup - skills that are not passed down now."
Credits are deposited centrally in the Timebank and withdrawn when needed - and nobody charges you interest if you become overdrawn.
