What is Time Bank?
Time Bank is a way for Lewisham residents to share skills and time with each other. Anyone can come along to any of the activities for free. If you have a skill you want to share, you can offer a session or a class yourself, and earn time credits when you do. You can spend those credits attending other people’s activities, or save them for later.
You do not need to give time to take part. Most people who come to Time Bank activities just come, take part, and enjoy them. The exchange side is there for people who want it.
Everything happens at Orchard Gardens Community Centre and a few other venues across the borough.
What is on
Time Bank runs a wide range of activities across the week. Some are creative, some are outdoors, some are social, some are practical. All are led by other Lewisham residents. You do not need experience for any of them, and you do not need to book unless the activity says so.
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Community choir
Sing together with other Lewisham residents. No experience needed, just bring your voice.
Orchard Gardens · Weekly
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Ukulele group
Learn the ukulele or play along. Sessions for beginners and people who already play.
Orchard Gardens · Weekly
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Saturday art group
Drawing, painting and making with other Lewisham residents. Materials provided, drop in any time.
Orchard Gardens · Saturdays
Other regular activities
Alongside the activities above, Time Bank hosts jewellery making, walking groups, English conversation, cookery sessions, meditation, and a range of one-off workshops. Have a look at the calendar for what is coming up.
Share a skill, earn time back
If you have a skill you would like to share, you can offer a Time Bank session. It could be a language, a craft, a cooking style, an instrument, or anything else you know how to do. You do not need to be a professional teacher. You just need to want to share it with other people in your community.
When you run a session, you earn time credits. You can spend them at other Time Bank activities, or save them for later. It is a way of building a fair exchange where everyone contributes what they can, and everyone gets to take part.
Where Time Bank happens
Most Time Bank activities take place at Orchard Gardens Community Centre. A smaller number happen at other venues across the borough. You can find directions to Orchard Gardens on our contact page.
If you have a question about a specific activity, the best way to find out is to have a look at the event listing, or to get in touch with us.
Other things worth knowing about
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Wildcat Wilderness
A community space where you can explore nature and the wildlife, play or relax in its peacefulness, learn new outdoor skills or crafts, share and enjoy the space with other local people of all ages, cultures, faiths and abilities.
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Warm Welcomes
Free indoor spaces across Lewisham with tea, food and company. Warm Welcomes runs through the winter at community centres, cafés, faith spaces and libraries across the borough. Everyone is welcome.
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Foodcycle Lewisham
A free three-course meal cooked by volunteers using surplus food, every Saturday at the Lewisham Irish Community Centre. Open to anyone. No booking, no cost, no questions.