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Any initiative to get residents volunteering in local neighbourhoods using their skills, expertise and passions is a good thing, as far as Kevin Cassanego is concerned.
That’s why the Lighthouse Community Computers executive community leader is supporting the Timebanking initiative driven by the NSW Department of Communities.
Last Friday, May 16, during National Volunteer Week, Lighthouse Community Computers provided free refurbished computers to neighbourhood centres at Warilla North, The Rail, Albion Park, North Kiama and Thirroul.
Mr Cassanego said the Fairy Meadow-based non-profit organisation provided free or low-priced basic computer systems to disadvantaged elderly people and families, and to community groups, enabling them equal access to worldwide information, opportunities and potentially a better standard of living.
Lighthouse has been supporting the Illawarra for more than 40 years and gathers about 900 people, 150 volunteers and more than 60 community partners each week to facilitate many of its community events, programs and initiatives.
Mr Cassanego said Timebanking encouraged volunteering and built support networks in communities.
It allows members to earn ‘‘time credits’’ for volunteering. They ‘‘bank’’ these time credits and redeem them later on a service of personal value, such as help around the home, support with shopping or getting your car washed.
‘‘Everyone wins from Timebanking,’’ Mr Cassanego said.
‘‘The Department of Communities is driving this but local community centres and the community in general win because now there is a database of people’s passions, interests, experience and professions which community organisations can draw on to help people with whatever need they may have.
‘‘There is no doubt it is getting harder to find money out there. I think it really is a time where community organisations need to collaborate and work together in identifying the assets that are in the community and help mobilise those assets for the greater good of the community. Timebanking allows this.’’
The NSW government is supporting its roll-out across the state.
After a successful trial in the Hunter and Central Coast, with 4000 community members participating, it will now be launched in 30 new communities across NSW, including Kiama, Warilla and Thirroul, by June.