It will be 11 years in December since my Time Credit journey started and there's one word that always sticks in my mind... it's the one word that I have had to practice how to say, it's easier now after years of saying it and it rolls off the tongue, but that wasn't always the case...can you say RECIPROCITY??
The concepts of time credits, reciprocity, community development, and co-production are all related to building strong, resilient communities and fostering collaboration among community members. Here's an overview of each concept:
- Time Credits: Time credits are a form of community currency that values and rewards the time people contribute to their communities. In a Tempo time credit system, individuals earn credits for volunteering or providing services to community groups or charities. They can then spend these credits to access a wide range of services, activities and experiences. Time credits encourage reciprocity and help build social capital within communities by recognising and valuing everyone's contributions, regardless of their skills or abilities.
- Reciprocity: Reciprocity is a fundamental concept in social interactions and community development. It refers to the mutual exchange of goods, services, or support between individuals or groups. Reciprocity is a key driver of trust and social cohesion within communities. We talk to both individuals and community groups about how they give back and share time and resources.
- Community Development: Community development is a process aimed at improving the overall well-being and quality of life in a specific geographic area or among a particular group of people. It involves various strategies, such as social, economic, and environmental initiatives, to empower communities and address their needs. Effective community development often relies on the active participation of community members, partnerships with local organisations, and government support. Tempo works with people, communities, services, and businesses to deliver a positive impact on individuals and society by improving health, well-being, and diversity by creating pathways for everyone to volunteer.
- Coproduction: Coproduction is a collaborative approach to public services and community development. It involves active cooperation between service providers and service users. This collaboration seeks to design and deliver services that meet the specific needs and preferences of the community. Coproduction empowers individuals and communities to have a say in how services are designed and delivered, leading to more effective and responsive solutions. Tempo has been working with Local Authorities, Government, Health Boards, ICBs, charities, services and citizens for the past 15 years to collaborate and coproduce a whole range of outcomes.
These concepts are interconnected and often used together to create stronger, more resilient communities. They emphasise the importance of active participation, mutual support, and shared responsibility in fostering positive social and economic development at the community level.
Tempo utilises a community development approach to engage volunteers, creating pathways to volunteering that enable volunteers to share their time and skills to address community needs, whether it's through providing educational support, mentoring, environmental conservation, healthcare, or other areas. The links between community development and volunteer engagement help create a strong sense of community ownership and foster a culture of collective responsibility for the betterment of the community. Tempo's mission is to build a national network of individuals, communities, services, and businesses that work in collaboration to develop the pathways for people to volunteer to create positive social change and for volunteers’ time and commitment to be recognised through Tempo Time Credits. We are the thread that connects volunteers, third sector, services, and businesses together through our projects and Tempo Time Credit networks.
Find out more www.wearetempo.org
