AN innovative scheme to bring together members of the community has received a £5,000 cash boost. 

Barrow Timebank has received thousands of pounds from Barrow Community Trust to help them roll-out the scheme for another year. 

Neil Doherty, manager of Barrow Timebank, is delighted to receive the funds and believes it will help make a real difference to the community. 

He said: "It's going to help us cover our running costs for another year. 

"We've got a coordinator that manages everything but we've also got some funding to do some more children's and family activities as well."

The Timebank is an initiative that allows people to build up time credits by carrying out tasks for other people. 

By tapping into Barrow's volunteering sector, the Timebank creates a new network that enables people to both give and receive, in addition to helping some of society's most isolated people. 

Mr Doherty said: "There's a lot of untapped potential in the area - there are a lot of people with excellent skills but aren't really using them and this gives people the opportunity to make use of that." 

In addition to giving a helping hand to members of the public, the Timebank also enables people to do something valuable with their time and become more integrated within the community. 

By sharing a wide variety of skills and talents, people can access a fantastic resource that helps tighten the bonds of individual communities. 

Mr Doherty said: "It just makes people feel good. If you do a good turn for someone you feel a lot better. 

"You can also meet new people. There are timebanks all over the world and you can use your Timebank credits to stay at people's houses as well.

"You always get something out of it whether it's getting your lawn cut or something more exotic like going to America."

With an extra £5,000 to play with, the future of the Barrow Timebank is looking brighter than ever and Mr Doherty is excited to see what the next year will bring. 

He said: "It's absolutely fantastic that they've given us the grant and it shows that we've made some good progress. 

"Cumbria County Council and Barrow Borough Council have given us grants as well so between the three we can keep this going for another year at least."

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