• Helpers are Just the Job •
The idea that a good neighbour is someone who lends you a bag of sugar is about to be revolutionised by a pioneering project in Cheltenham.
People living in Whaddon will be trading everyday duties including vacuuming, gardening, shopping and washing cars, to foster community spirit and good relations.
The Whaddon, Lynworth and Priors Neighbourhood Project is setting up one of the first Fair Shares schemes in the country.
It is part of a Gloucestershire based scheme which has won £180,000 funding to set up nine such schemes in the county.
Each member of the scheme registers with a central office in Gloucester and gives an idea of services they can offer.
These are 'traded' and members each have an account detailing the number of hours they have given.
Jane Jones, Co-ordinator of the Fair Shares scheme in Whaddon, Lynworth and Priors, said: "The idea is that people can help others through community support.
"An elderly person may need some decorating done but is unable to do it. Her neighbour may be able to do so. She may be able to offer another service to her neighbour such as babysitting. If you give up one hour of your time you are owed an hour of someone else's." Whaddon resident Maura Woulfe said: "It's a very good idea. It's a barter system so you can help others and they can help you."
The scheme has been given £90,000 each from the lottery and the Barnwood-based Barnwood House Trust, which supports disabled people.
These awards will be spread over three years.
The money has been used to employ four members of staff at the Gloucester base and cover costs of running the projects.
About 100 people have already joined schemes which were recently launched in Newent and Stonehouse, near Stroud.
Co-ordinator of Fair Shares Gloucestershire, Joy Rogers said: "We'll have a database of all members and the services they can offer."
"You don't need specific skills. Everyone has something to offer."
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