From January to March 2005 BBC World will profile examples of the kind of project we are looking for in the Hands On
short form programmes. These examples will also be profiled in Newsweek in a special advertising feature.

Click an image below to view project.

11. TIME ON YOUR SIDE:
Putting Time In The Bank In London

Richard Gardner is a London broker who deals in a very precious resource. In the borough of Greenwich, geographically located on the world's meridian line, Gardner runs a bank where people deposit and withdraw a most valuable commodity - time.

At the Greenwich Time Bank, located in the community center, Richard helps new recruits like Ginnie Stokes, who has volunteered to help arthritis sufferer Pauline Webb with her heavy grocery load. One hour of time served can be exchanged by Ginnie for one hour of help from someone else. Everyone's time is worth exactly the same, regardless of their age, education or skills.

The time bank concept was invented by an American named Edgar Cahn, whose idea has spread around the globe. There are now about 1000 timebanks in the US, Japan, China, Argentina and the Pacific Islands, with more than 50 in the United Kingdom.

Through the Greenwich Time Bank, Pauline will soon be teaching computer skills to Rahim, who has clocked over 200 hours by driving and gardening. "What I really like about it is that everyone is valued the same," says Pauline. "It really makes you feel worthwhile because everybody can do something."