What do people offer or seek help with through a time bank?

In most time banks, people name both what they’re willing to offer and what they’re open to receiving. Typically, when someone joins, they create a simple profile that includes:

• Skills or services they’re willing to offer

• Types of help they might want or need

• Any limits, preferences, or availability notes

Most time banks treat these lists as living descriptions. People can update them as their capacity, interests, or life circumstances change. Someone might not need anything now but lists things they’re open to receiving later, which helps remove stigma around asking when the time comes.

Some time banks also use broad skill categories to make matching easier, encourage people to list everyday help, and allow members to respond to posted requests even if it’s not listed in their profile. When people can see the range of offerings and needs in the network, exchanges happen more easily and more equitably.

Types of offerings & receivings

Offering and receiving can range from very practical to very relational help that is safe, non-commercial, and accessible. Work that requires licenses, formal qualifications, or carries high legal/medical risk or liability is generally excluded. This is because time banks are not meant to replace regulated services or create pressure for people to take on roles that put them at risk.

Daily Life & Errands

• Grocery shopping

• Picking up prescription

• Mailing or returns

• Rides / transportation

• Accompaniment to appointments

• Pet care (walking, feeding)

• Light household tasks

• Packing

Child, Family & Care Support

• Childcare or babysitting

• School pickup or drop-off

• Homework help or tutoring

• Eldercare or companionship

• Caregiving backup or respite

• Family support during illness or transition

Food & Meal Support

• Meal prep or cooking

• Meal drop-off

• Food organizing or budgeting

• Gardening or food growing help

• Community cooking or shared meals

Home, Repair & Practical Help

• Basic home repairs

• Furniture moving or setup

• Organizing or decluttering

• Tech setup or troubleshooting

• DIY or fix-it help

Admin, Planning & Navigation

• Form filling or applications

• Scheduling or calendar help

• Email or document support

• Translation or interpretation

• Resource navigation or referrals

Creative, Media & Skill Sharing

• Art or craft help

• Writing or editing

• Design or layout support

• Photography or documentation

• Teaching a skill or workshop

• Practice or feedback sessions

Emotional, Social & Community Support

• Listening or check-ins

• Peer support

• Companionship

• Community building or hosting

• Conflict support or mediation

• Mutual accountability

Health, Wellness & Body Support

• Accompaniment to medical visits

• Gentle movement or stretching

• Wellness check-ins

• Stress support

• Mindfulness or meditation practices

• Information support (non-medical)

Learning, Mentorship & Career Support

• Language practice

• Resume or interview support

• Career exploration

• Mentorship or coaching

• Skill-building practice

Community Care & Collective Projects

• Event setup or breakdown

• Mutual aid distribution

• Neighborhood projects

• Shared childcare or care circles

• Collective planning or coordination

Optional Catch-All

• Something else / custom request

• Not sure yet — open to possibilities

What is typically excluded

• Formal legal representation. Eg, acting as someone’s lawyer, representing them in court, signing legal documents on their behalf, or providing official legal advice. Legal support is often welcome in the form of information-sharing, form help, document organization, accompaniment, or explaining processes in plain language.

• Clinical medical care. Eg, diagnosing conditions, prescribing medication, performing medical procedures, or providing treatment. Health-related support is welcome when it includes appointment accompaniment, care coordination, wellness check-ins, peer support, or help understanding instructions from providers.

• Mental health treatment. Eg, therapy, counseling, diagnosis, or crisis intervention. Emotional support, listening, peer check-ins, and companionship are welcome.

• Emergency response. Time banks are not a substitute for emergency services.

• Work requiring licenses, insurance, or permits. Eg, tasks that legally require professional certification (such as major electrical or structural work, commercial food preparation, or childcare requiring licensing).

• Commercial or profit-generating labor. Time banking is not intended to replace paid work or support private business profit.

• Unsafe or high-risk activities. Eg, any task that puts someone at significant risk of injury, harm, or legal exposure.