A guest blog from our friends at MK Letnet

In these difficult times when there is high inflation and people are struggling to make ends meet it is good to know that there is an alternative to spending your precious cash.

Local community group Milton Keynes Letnet is a thriving community of people who trade their skills and services within the network for “ccs” or concrete cows!  Concrete cows are computer credits, we have a banking system where members pay each other in ccs or “points” in exchange for trades which comprise anything from allotment produce, giving lifts, house-work, computer help, painting and decorating, DIY help and much more besides.  Member Valerie says that her “favourite trades were to buy sheep and chickens, to get tuition for her children and to buy a bike”!

Things were obviously quieter over lockdown, but trading still was happening and members were great at looking out for each other and met up on-line for trading and social events.  We are really keen to reinvigorate our group and are now having regular meetings, it is a thriving social group alongside the trading and many of us have made good friends in the group.

It is currently free of charge to become a member for your first year, (subsequently it is only £5 per year) and you will receive a Directory of things that members are Offering and Requesting.  Most people wonder what they can offer, but it is surprising … you may be able to loan a ladder or strimmer, you may be able to give a lift or provide companionship for a theatre trip, bake a cake or share surplus allotment produce – we can guarantee that there will be something that you can offer!

If you would like to know more, please go to www.mkletnet.org.uk or give Valerie a call on 07759 952841.