The Open Network

The Open Network is about encouraging community development in the London area by Networking, locally or Londonwide

The Open Network Projects

33 Boroughs of London [see Map]

London is divided into 33 areas called Boroughs. [including the City of London. Each Borough has several neighbourhoods] [see MAP]

Southwark LETS

Southwark Local Exchange Trading Scheme - LETS. It was started by a few members of Friends of the Earth, some of whom are still members.

So, what is LETS? It can be thought of as a kind of 'swap shop' of services offered to and by local people, and it is CASH FREE (apart from a joining fee of £6, which gives life membership). Members trade, through a directory, in an invented local currency called Pecks. The directory, which is issued 2 or 3 times a year, is akin to a local yellow pages. The current directory lists over 120 different services in 8 broad categories.

These services are amazingly varied, gardening, babysitting, granny sitting, lifts, local deliveries, cooking, ironing, companionship on walks, help with stroppy computers, use of machinery, hair cutting, etc. So everybody has something they can offer, if not time then the use of a washing machine, or if not very mobile the taking of telephone messages/deliveries.

We also meet at local tea parties from time to time so that members can get to know each other, not otherwise easy with nearly 200 members! At the moment the scheme is administered by Sally and Josephine, who keep the directory up to date, enter the Peck cheques and mail out the new directory when ready. They are paid for their work in Pecks.

On joining members are given an ID number a current directory, and a book of Peck cheques. Then Southwark is at their service. The wonderful thing is that you don't have to wait to earn pecks to be able to trade, there is no interest charged; and in fact the system of bookkeeping `needs' some members to have a negative balance, so don't worry, come to the next gathering to meet fellow members, and tell them personally about your service, and hear about theirs.

To find out how to join write to: Southwark LETS, Peckham Settlement, Goldsmith Road, SE15-5TF.