It\u2019s about individuals coming together to localise, in creating business around farmers markets, food growing, timebanks and cooperating at numerous innovative
\n tiers and levels. <\/p>\n
Many more NZer\u2019s today are talking among themselves that there has to be a far better way for us to live, especially for our collective planetary future.<\/p>\n
Up and down and across New Zealand, many 'kiwis<\/strong>' are slowly but methodically going about integrating with their local community - wishing to share at a deeper level, values that are expressed from the heart and from a place of honesty and courage.<\/strong> <\/p>\n From little villages, districts, towns, to suburbs in cities, farmers markets seem to be a key \u2018nodal point\u2019 where people can congregate<\/strong> and cross pollinate news and views of how community can come together - so as to become self reliant, and resilient as well as creatively taking innovation Are you one of these cultural creatives? Who enjoys meeting people to talk deeply about how we can address the urgent needs within the biosphere of today. Juliet Adams became a volunteer in Lyttelton (just beyond Christchurch) in the South Island, just after the earthquake that affected so many people\u2019s lives. A Time Bank <\/strong>- is a system that helps people to help each other, without money changing hands. To join a local time bank - there needs to be a basic program on a small computer system so as to record what exchanges are being made. When you join you Plus, you will also \u2018have some needs' as well where you would like some help.<\/p>\n For example if you spent one hour minding a friends children, they will credit you \u2018one hour\u2019 on the time bank records. Then you can use that credited So it\u2019s a matter of people exchanging their abilities and their time to help one another - without money changing hands.<\/p>\n What \u2018time banks\u2019 do is bring people and connection much more closer together. Where as money can be over convenient as in the human equation it may not In Lyttelton there is over 750 members in their time bank - so if these 750 people congregated all togther in a hall - there is huge potential and possibility The \u2018community treasure chest\u2019 - is where people who belong to a time bank, donate and credit their \u2018one hour\u2019 to the community treasure chest - which So that people who are not even time bank members can receive community assistance.<\/p>\n This is the difference between a system that is built around people - rather than money.<\/p>\n Having many community gardens - you give some work time and you can walk away with some of the fresh produce.<\/p>\n Garage Sales - about 4 or 5 a week - are all organised through Project Lyttelton - having a well organised, publicised outreach.<\/p>\n Saturday Farmers Market <\/strong>- which is a huge success - and this is where town and country meet and much sharing and networking takes place.<\/p>\n Helen Dew of Carterton and and Living Economies, North of Wellington and Margaret Jeffries of Lyttelton went to ITHACA in New York in the US many years Today more and more Councils and Central Government are actively supporting communities to assist them to become more cohesive and healthy to improve the Locally there are Time Banks in Christchurch, Sumner and New Brighton areas.<\/p>\n Saturday markets - you can borrow a cup - take it away full of a hot drink or soup and carry it with you, refill it and later on in the day drop it back Same for plates, knives and forks - you can enjoy food and have no concern about disposing anything in the rubbish - food scraps go for compost etc. A Many festivals are run in the town that bring people together.<\/p>\n Bertie the truck, can be hired off Project Lyttelton PL for localised use.<\/p>\n Fruit and veggie crates of fresh food are available every week.<\/p>\n They have a Library where many leading edge books on community building, finance and success stories of what is happening around our planet are available. Volunteering is the glue to keeping the community cohesive and flowing.<\/p>\n They also have shares in a health food shop that is owned as a coop called \u2018Harbour Coop<\/a>', selling Project Lyttelton<\/strong> is a wonderful fulfilling experiment of people working and playing together. <\/p>\n It is also emotionally healthy as well as providing physical health for ones body.<\/p>\n
\n to a new art form.<\/p>\n
\n I trust that you are as the following interview I feel, will fill you with optimism and dear I say it, joy, which as you inherently know - we need
\n to experience far more of - especially if we are aware of current world news.<\/p>\n
\n This came about because Project Lyttelton had a \u2018Time Bank.\u2019
\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n
\n list the \u2018skills\u2019 you can offer towards the community and any other ways of helping people in the community to do things.
\n <\/p>\n
\n \u2018one hour\u2019 on your account to pay someone to do something for you. Like fixing the broken fence or mowing the lawns. etc.<\/p>\n
\n play a \u2018closer quality\u2019 in reaching out to people and their inner needs. i.e good relationships that are far more healthy … where you spend
\n time talking and making sure that everyone is warmly satisfied with the \u2019transaction\u2019.<\/p>\n
\n with the collective skills that are there. Thus a time bank like this has 'vast social capital' that can be unleashed and put to good purpose. <\/p>\nCommunity Treasure Chest <\/h3>\n
\n allows other people who are going through a tough spell and need a hand up, can avail themselves of accumulated gifted \u2018one hour' credits from the
\n Community Chest.<\/p>\nProject Lyttelton is based on many projects <\/h3>\n
\n ago and learnt about \u2018time banks\u2019 and brought the concept back to NZ. http:\/\/livingeconomies.nz<\/a>\n<\/p>\n
\n lives of their citizens. Healthy, happy people, as a result are not dependent on health services and do not draw down on the community or economy.<\/p>\nMinimisation of Waste <\/h3>\n
\n at the market and one of the staff will happily wash it at the end of the day.<\/p>\n
\n very clean thought out action plan to minimise waste. The idea of washing up is easily achieved and you have no concerns either.<\/p>\nFestivals <\/h3>\n
Group Truck <\/h3>\n
\n This is where Juliet volunteers her time. As volunteering is a large part of PL. <\/p>\n
\n healthy and organic food.
\n \n<\/p>\n