‘Time bank’ pilot program in Shanghai enables people to ‘deposit’ time Thanks to a special program piloted in Yangpu district, east China’s Shanghai, people in the city can register themselves as volunteers to spend time taking care of senior citizens or keep them company, which they will be rewarded for with the ability to receive similar services when they are in need in the future, reported WeChat account (ID:shanghai-yangpu) of Media Convergence Center of Yangpu district.
Yang Beifen (right) visits Gu Guifang at Gu’s home. The program named “time bank” was introduced to Yangpu district by Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau last August. It was designed to reduce the loneliness of elderly citizens, especially for seniors who are over the age of 60 who live alone.