Hourbank

HOurbank is Changing…

Pecan has always offered HOurBank as one of our core services for several years. Originally HOurBank operated as a TimeBank, giving people (and organisations or businesses) the chance to share skills and build community simply by helping one another. Members of the HOurBank advertised their skills, hobbies, and interests on a private, virtual noticeboard. From there, fellow members could ‘purchase’ these skills, offering their own unique abilities as payment. 

Over the years, and due to the pandemic, HOurBank has worked far less as a TimeBank and more as a community project, creating opportunities for groups of people to get together to learn new skills, swap skills, experiences and thoughts and support each other. We have delivered online discussion groups, reading groups, Creative Writing workshops, Oyster Day (visits to a range of places accessible by public transport), picnics and more. 

As the cost-of-living crisis deepens and the effects of the pandemic and modern living continue to be felt, our members have reported increased loneliness, social isolation, negative impacts on their mental and physical wellbeing as well increased anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. 

 

Community Hub 

We are therefore merging a few of our services to offer a more holistic, one-stop-shop approach that will include a range of group wellbeing and community activities as well as employability and life skills workshops. We will have a welcoming space where people can come to sit, have a warm drink and a chat, and take part in activities if they wish. All of this will form our Community Hub called ‘Together’. 

Please bear with us while we make changes to our services: awesome things will be happening soon but, in the meantime, we are unable to provide the services we used to. 

While we develop our new look support, there is still plenty to get involved with, so please do keep sending people our way, pop in to see us and stay connected. 

 

Donate Online

While HOurBank is a free service for its members, there are still staff and administration fees to pay. If this project interests you and you want to support it.

Here’s what’s on:

  • Signposting – we can make sure you get the support you want by signposting you to other organisations delivering what you need and/or: 
     
  • Every Thursday we will be holding Employment Surgeries: these will be 50 minute, 1-2-1 appointments, with one of our advisors who will support you with whatever employment needs you have, you can ask questions, write a CV, do a job search, find out how to sign up to agencies, look at possible courses. These must be booked in advance. The last session of 2022 will take place on Thursday 15th December. Book a 50 minute session starting from 10am to the last session at 3pm via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/employment-surgeries-tickets

  • Monday 5th December, 11am – 1pm: Employability Skills workshops: a workshop covering all the key areas of employability, providing advice, support, information, and peer work.
  • Every Monday and Tuesday, 1-3pm from Monday 17th November: our Together space will be open to come along, have a warm drink, play board games, read books, meet people, and take part in wellbeing activities such as mindfulness if you wish.

  • Friday 10.30pm – 12.30pm From 14th October – 2nd December, Creative writing – Encourage and support those wanting to write and develop their personal style by sharing ideas on techniques and useful resources.

  • Friday 16th December, 10.30pm -12.30pm Monthly Coffee morningsSpecial Arts & Craft session, then every 3rd Friday of month 
  • 2nd Friday of Month 2pm, Monthly Film Club, Member’s choice of popular films through ‘Films for All’ 

  • Last Friday of Each Month, Oyster days out organised visits to places of interest such as museums, galleries, markets, parks, and other important Landmarks.

1-2-1s and workshops do need to be booked, so please pop by, phone or email to secure a place. 

Further workshops with corporate partners will be announced, so please do keep checking these webpages. 

Further Information

Finally, we want to hear from you: what employment and other support would you like to see delivered by Pecan? 

Please email hourbank@pecan.org.uk  

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