South East Essex LETS

LETS are local, non-profit “exchange” networks in which all kind of goods and services can be traded without the need for money. A LETS network uses an interest-free local credit or “currency” so direct swops do not need to be made. A LETS member may earn local credit by doing, eg, childcare or computer work for one person, and spend it later on food, hiring equipment, plumbing or carpentry with another person on the same network.

An estimated 20,000 people are now trading in over 400 LETS networks in cities towns and rural communities everywhere from Cornwall to Skye, or Western Ireland to Kent. LETS currencies have their own names, and often reflect local distinctiveness- Readies in Reading, Locks in Camden, Groats in Stirling, New Berries in Newbury, Piers in Southend On Sea. LETS can help a wide cross section of the community- individuals, small businesses, local services and voluntary groups- to save money and resources and extend their purchasing power. Other benefits include social contact, health care, tuition and training, support for local enterprise and new businesses, and a revitalised community.

ABOUT SEELETS

Originally founded as ‘Greenlinks’ in 1993, South East Essex LETS was relaunched in January 1998 and covers a geographic region roughly stretching from Wakering to Rayleigh (including Southend, Westcliff, Shoeburyness, Hadleigh, Benfleet, Leigh, Thorpe Bay, Rochford and Hockley). Membership at present numbers around 100 individuals, households and groups, offering skills, goods and services ranging from Tai Chi lessons, baby sitting, tree felling and dog walking to aromatherapy, gardening, car washing and web-site building.
We have close links with a number of other community and environmental organisations in the South East Essex region, including Friends Of The Earth, The Green Party, South East Essex Permaculture, South East Essex Organic Gardeners, Open Mind, The Healthy Living Centres Initiative, The Eco Spirituality Network, as well as Southend Borough Council, Rochford District Council and Leigh Town Council.
We also run regular social events, including trading auctions where members can meet to exchange goods and services for ‘piers’, socials, parties and barbeques at members’ homes, and have also set up Alternative Health & Therapy Days, Art Exhibitions and other events.
SEELETS is committed to the philosophies of Local Agenda 21, and we perceive LETS to be a part of a wider strategy to rejuvenate and empower local communities and businesses by building local trading and networking links. to this end we are also developing in areas that address local food issues and community health projects.