System change is a phrase that gets used a lot – but at its heart, it’s about people, places, and the connections between them. Real transformation happens when systems don’t just deliver services to communities but work with them, recognising the assets, skills, and experiences that people already bring.
At Tempo, we believe that communities thrive when people feel they have something to give and something to gain. That’s where Tempo Time Credits come in: a practical tool for shifting systems so that volunteering, mutual support, and community action are valued as much as traditional services. By embedding Time Credits within health and public services, we’re building stronger, fairer communities – and changing the way systems themselves think about participation and wellbeing.
Place and People at the Heart of System Change
Every community is different. True system change must reflect the unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations of a place and its people. Whether it’s supporting recovery from addiction, tackling loneliness, or creating opportunities for healthier lifestyles, the principle is the same: local people are central to local solutions.
Tempo’s work shows this in practice:
- Medway Health & Care Partnership – Since 2017, we’ve engaged citizens in activities that reduce isolation and build confidence, directly supporting local health priorities
- Haringey (London) – Time Credits are embedded within commissioned drug and alcohol services, supporting recovery by creating opportunities for contribution, connection, and access to positive wellbeing activities.
- City of London – Engaging citizens across the Square Mile to improve health and wellbeing and address the impacts of poverty. Tempo is co-designing approaches to volunteer engagement in the city, working to understand better the barriers and enablers that support meaningful community involvement.
- Welsh Government's National Programme in Wales – Working with over 1,000 organisations, we’ve mobilised thousands of community members to reduce poverty and isolation while improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
- Neath Port Talbot (Heritage & Culture) – Using heritage and culture as pathways to build community cohesion and support wider community involvement, Tempo engages people who may not initially recognise they have skills to share, helping them discover their value and connect with others through volunteering.
Across these partnerships, Time Credits serve as a bridge, connecting formal systems with grassroots action and creating a culture where giving time and supporting one another is integral to how services and communities work together.
A Story of Recovery and Renewal
Behind every statistic are real people whose lives are changed by being part of their community. One individual shared their powerful story with us:
