Call to organisations to help run CareBank pilot

The Royal Borough's pioneering CareBank scheme that will enable residents to earn time credits for supporting others in the community is ready to hear from organisations, businesses and partnerships interested in running the first pilot scheme to put the innovative concept to the test.

The Council is inviting proposals to deliver the pilot in one area of the borough and then, in the longer term, expand and develop the scheme and eventually link into a national CareBank network.

Part of the borough's Big Society programme, the CareBank vision is to encourage residents to volunteer in their communities, supporting people with unmet support needs to enable them to live as independently as possible in their own homes. Volunteers will register with CareBank and help out with activities such as shopping, cooking, housework and gardening. Time credits earned can then be banked and saved for the volunteer's own or their family's care needs for the future or can be used for activities such as free swims or gym membership.

Cllr Simon Dudley, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, said the development work on CareBank was making good progress. A successful 'market day' earlier in the spring gave businesses and organisations the opportunity to explore the practicalities of taking the scheme forward by an independent organisation such as a social enterprise, with support from the Royal Borough.

He said: "There has been a very encouraging level of interest so far and now we are really looking forward to the proposals from those interested in working with us to develop this exciting pilot scheme in our borough.

"CareBank will be open to any Royal Borough resident who wants to volunteer. They will offer their time and skills to support people who, with this help, can stay in their own homes rather than go into residential or nursing care. It has the potential to make a real difference to many people in our community."

Full information and requirements for bidders are available from 3pm on Thursday 19 May at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/consultation_carebank.htm These requirements have been developed as a result of feedback from residents and those involved in the voluntary sector. The closing date for proposals is Friday 24 June.

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