The Vale of Glamorgan Council has launched an innovative project that rewards volunteers for the time they give up.

Established by the Authority's Housing Team in partnership with Glamorgan Voluntary Service (GVS) and Benthyg Cymru, the Time, Grow, Gain scheme sees helpers issued with tokens that can be used towards a variety of activities.

Every hour spent volunteering is worth one credit that can be spent at the likes of the Memo Arts Centre in Barry, Dyffryn Gardens, Vale leisure centres, Barry Town United FC, Quasar or Taskforce Paintballing.

Credits are earned by litter picking, gardening, coaching/mentoring, driving, offering peer support, dog walking, befriending, painting, fundraising, helping out at homework clubs and more.

Funded by Welsh Government, through the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Prevention and Early Years programme, there are traditional volunteering opportunities and some digital options available.

Cllr Margaret Wilkinson, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Building Services said: "This is a fantastic initiative that offers people across the Vale the opportunity to grow their skills and be rewarded through volunteering.

"Volunteering can make a difference to communities, improve job prospects and be extremely satisfying.

"It also helps tackle social isolation within communities and promote wellbeing. These are two areas severely affected by the pandemic that have been identified as priorities by the Vale of Glamorgan Public Services Board."

GVS will help provide volunteers for the project, ensuring good practice and offering opportunities for different communities to get involved in volunteering.

Benthyg Cymru is a network of places where people can donate items they no longer need and borrow those they do.

This helps reduce waste, saves money, contributes to the sharing economy and boosts community resilience.

In Barry, Benthyg Cymru's 'library of things' can be found at the Awesome Wales shop on Holton Road.

A range of volunteering opportunities are on offer as well as the chance to loan items such as tools for gardening and DIY and exercise equipment.

More information on the store is available at https://www.benthyg-cymru.org/post/time-grow-gain-benthyg-comes-to-barry , while anyone wishing to donate their time and earn a credit should visit the Council website.