COVID brings Time Bank to a close

The Blairgowrie and Rattray Time Bank is set to close down.

The service, which was first set up in the east Perthshire town in 2014, saw volunteers swap skills and services to help make the lives of others in their community more comfortable.

For every hour a volunteer spent doing something they earn one credit, which they can then claim back through the time bank on a service they need, or donate the credit to a‘community pot’so that someone who can’t earn their own credits can still use the project.

As well as individuals, local organisations such as the Strathmore Centre for Youth Development (SCYD), Blairgowrie and Rattray Illuminations Committee and the Freedom Coach Association were also involved.

A number of new groups had also started up as a direct result of the time bank, including a monthly craft group.

And development worker Cat Mackay was an integral part of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Coronavirus Coordination Group, which was set up earlier this year to help tackle the global coronavirus pandemic.

However, a statement on the volunteer initiative’s Facebook page said: “It’s with great sadness that our local Time Bank has had to close down due to coronavirus restrictions on our groups, the resignation of our committee members due to commitments and COVID restrictions and a lack of funding to continue our services.

“Our development worker Cat, who was part of the local COVID support group helping to coordinate Time Bank and local volunteers during the lockdown, is now moving onto another position and hoping to restart her art business which has taken a huge hit due to restrictions.

“She has loved being part of our local community group for the last two years and will greatly miss all her group members.

“Before lockdown we were running five different social groups but due to the two household restrictions inside and outside we are unable to continue these and have found that other groups in the area are having the same difficulties.

“There are some groups in Blairgowrie and Rattray that are trying to re-open with health and safety restrictions in place.”

The post went on:“Our remaining funding was restricted to transport and materials so we have approached our funders to repay these or pass to other local projects.

“A thank you for being part of our Time Bank, for attending groups, for supporting each other and encouraging everyone to give their time in their local community.