Social enterprises now have an even greater chance to branch out in the Downpatrick area.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie and Cllr Naomi Bailie, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council officially have launched the South Eastern Social Enterprise Timebank Enterprise Tree.
At one of the several social enterprises across Northern Ireland located in Downpatrick, PopUp Art has developed a Timebank Tree for Social Entrepreneurs to post their requests and offers of help.
Sinead Quinn, Head of Timebanking at Volunteer Now said: “Timebanks are a way for people to come together to help others and help themselves at the same time by sharing their skills. Local Social Entrepreneurs ‘deposit’ their time by giving practical help and support to each other and are able to make a ‘withdrawal’ when they need help or support themselves. Importantly, everyone’s time is equal. It is a very flexible system and works on the basic principle of skill sharing.”
“We encouraged a wide range of people to join us for the launch which was followed by lunch to hear about Timebanking, and there was an opportunity to find out more about the impact the social enterprises are making across the District. It is all looking very good as the interest level is high and the Downpatrick hub is really starting to buzz.”
(The Downpatrick social enterprise hub is located at the rear of the Grove Shopping Centre in the former Xtravision outlet.)
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The Timebank Tree was launched at the Downpatrick Social Enterprise Hub in Downpatrick.[/caption]]]>
