The Port of Milford Haven is backing a one year pilot project that aims to improve community engagement and wellbeing in the town’s Mount Estate.

The time banking initiative is an exciting opportunity for the area, having been made possible with funding from the Port in collaboration with the majority contributor Public Health Wales and the Welsh Government Integrated Care Fund. The programme, being co-ordinated by PAVS (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services), is open to people of all ages and abilities as the types of activities that can be carried out to earn volunteering hours can vary widely, for example DIY tasks, dog walking or companionship.

Time banking is a way of encouraging people to give their time to each other, using time as currency. With every hour spent volunteering, a time credit is earned. These time credits can then be used to access local, community-led opportunities such as events and training courses. Alternatively, they can be used within a network of local businesses that are signed up to the programme as time bank sponsors.

The programme aims to have six time banks established that are volunteer-led and demonstrate sustainability.

Lee Hind, Time Banking Development Officer at PAVS, commented: “This is a fantastic programme for the area and we have worked closely with Timebanking UK to bring this practise into Pembrokeshire. This has worked very well in other areas of Wales and the UK, and we are excited to see the positive effect it will have on the community.”

After visiting the Mount Community Centre, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager at the Port Anna Malloy said “We are pleased to have collaborated with other institutions in Wales to back this programme for our local community in the Mount Estate. Time banking is an excellent way for people to exchange time and skills with each other for the benefit of all.”

Notes to Editors

Port of Milford Haven

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas.  It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock.  Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites.

One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities.  Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes.  All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives.

For further information, visit https://www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:
Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk