Volunteering programme Spice reaches 25,000 members
Melanie May | 9 June 2016 | News
Spice, the volunteering programme that rewards people through alternative currency Time Credits, has now reached 25,000 members, with over 450,000 hours volunteered.
Peter West (pictured), from Preston, was the 25,000th volunteer to earn Spice Time Credits. Peter volunteers every Thursday for the “Wheels For All” session at Moor Park in Preston, which offers the use of adapted cycles for adults with special needs or disabilities.
According to Spice, Time Credits is now the biggest alternative currency in the world. Individuals receive a Time Credit for each hour they donate to their local community, which can be spent on community, cultural and leisure activities in the local area. Spice Time Credits can also be spent across its national network of partners, including the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral or the Wales Millennium Centre.
Founded in South Wales in 2009, Spice currently works with over 700 groups and community organisations with over 500 venues accepting Time Credits. Time Credits are similar to bank notes, but have no monetary value. All notes have a standard reverse side in all areas, with the front localised.
Becky Booth, Spice founder and chief executive officer, said:
“The vision is to build resilient and connected communities, with social change as a priority. Time Credits are a way for people and organisations to identify with what we are trying to do and, by joining the scheme, help to make it happen, and they can be used anywhere in the country. You can earn the credit in Lancashire, but be able to spend it in places including Cardiff or London, or vice versa. Through the scheme people can try new things on their doorstep and across the country.”
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About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.