Welcome to Fair Shares

Fair Shares is a community based project that uses two-way volunteering, to reward people for the time and effort they put into their neighbourhood.

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Ways you can
make a donation

If you are unable to share your time, you can still help Fair Shares by donating. Find out more about the different ways to donate.

Make a donation

Give your time and join up today!

Need to learn more about how time banking works before you get involved with Fair Shares.

Learn more now

Interested in Getting Started

Want to find out more about how you can get started with Fair Shares, and the next steps involved.

Get started now

Fair Shares projects

Fair Shares is involved with many different projects, ranging from working with young people, to work in prisons, fundraising events and dementia work.

View our projects

We love sharing time. Everyone can do it, this is how!

Fair Shares Hourglass

Individuals and organisations can swap their time and skills with other members of the Time Bank.

Fair Shares Clock

For every hour of help that someone gives, they get one Fair Shares time credit. They can then use these credits to spend on things that they might need help with.

Different ways you can get involved

As an individual

There are many ways you can get involved; from sharing time and skills with others in the community, taking part in our social activities, to joining our charity shop team. The options are endless.

Learn more here

As an organisation

Organisations of all kinds can also join Fair Shares. Find ways of sharing resources with other groups or open up new opportunities for your existing volunteers.

Find out more

Make a donation

If you don't feel you can share your time, then you can also give a donation to the Fair Shares community.

Ways to Donate

How Fair Shares has helped…

When I first came into prison 3 years ago, I had very little confidence regarding maths but I have improved to the point I’m now a mentor

S. a Maths mentor in HMP Leyhill

My illness no longer defines or limits my life. Fair Shares has changed my life. I can’t talk highly enough about it.

Fred in Gloucester

I struggle sitting in a classroom but a little bit of maths [mentoring] in a different environment, is encouraging.

J. - Maths Learner in HMP Erlestoke

Times2 Maths mentoring has “brought me out of my shell, it’s helped my confidence”

John - Maths Mentor Leyhill

When I walk around town, I see so many people I know. It’s embedded me into the community

Jane from North Cotswolds

I’ve been involved in Fair Shares for three years, after volunteering at a woodland project, Gymnation, the Furniture Recycling Project and the City Farm. I don’t like office work, I prefer doing practical things that help people – Fair Shares is all about people helping each other. I’ve learned all sorts of skills – carpentry, gardening, lambing and repairing things. I feel safe, welcome and useful here

Luke from Gloucester

I feel part of their community and know that my time and skills are valued

Vivienne from Newent

It’s been amazing because we can actually have a conversation with older people and learn things from them and at the same time learn something new about cooking, nutrition and how to budget.

John, a young participant from Stroud

Coming here has helped me become more confident; I am more comfortable with people and I can make and do useful things to help other people, and make friends who don’t judge you. It’s made me think about becoming a social worker, or a teacher.

Courntey, a young participant in Gloucester

Fair Shares members have been so supportive. They have moved an ottoman for me and provided lifts and in return I have undertaken extensive sewing repairs. It’s a very effective method.

Gee from Newent

It’s a great way of getting unemployed people back into things, instead of them being made to feel redundant and losing confidence.

Bill Wragge, Cotswold District Council

Times2 Maths is good because helping people in prison  also means helping the less fortunate outside

Michael - Maths mentor HMP Erlestoke

I’ve really enjoyed being with younger people and been impressed with their commitment. Without this we would never have met and had the time to speak and listen to each other. This could help change people’s attitudes.

Pammy from Stroud

It’s just the natural way of living – everyone helping each other out.

Rob from Gloucester
A large group showing Fair Shares certificates

A typical week in numbers…

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Latest News

Crossing the Generations

Chris, our Stroud Time Broker, shared a local secondary school’s dementia work with our gentle walks group – with some uplifting results. As she sat with her coffee a huge smile erupted on one woman’s face and she burst into…read more

Inside Times2

Fair Shares are working in 5 prisons in the South West to deliver Times2 maths mentoring and / or time banking opportunities for offenders. Improving numeracy and maths skills has been shown to reduce future chances of re-offending and there…read more

Visit to the Houses of Parliament

We had a great visit to London today as we took a group of our young participants to the Houses of Parliament. We have been working with a group of young people from Betaris Training this year. We’ve had them…read more

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