Bracknell L.E.T.S

LETS stands for Local Exchange Trading System. It's a barter system that enables people to exchange good & services with minimal use of money. It's a self-help community initiative that encourages the sharing of skills & resources. LETS was pioneered in Canada & now operates successfully all over the world. LETS groups trade in fictitious currencies; here in Bracknell we use BRICKS as there used to be a thriving brickworks in the area. In Aberystwyth they use TOES (Welsh for dough & rhymes with voice), Bath uses OLIVERS, HARDYS are used in Dorset.

Behind our front doors is a wealth of skills and expertise, which are frequently untapped. LETS is a great way of helping others whilst receiving help in return when we need it. Years ago relatives were usually close by; Gran was round the corner, Auntie was in the next street, so family was always at hand to help out. In our modern world, with families very often far apart, we often don't have that close support.

Members advertise their goods & services in a regularly produced directory. They trade with each other writing a LETS cheque at the end of each transaction. This is then passed on to the group accountant who adds or subtracts from your account. The group sets its own rate of exchange; in Bracknell the rate is 20 BRICKS an hour. Think of LETS credits as 'favours' rather than 'money' as everyone's time is equally appreciated.

There are over 450 LETS groups who meet all over Britain!