Fiveways Skills Swap Shop

Ever dreamed of a cashless society? Slightly older and wiser now (some say) as a pipe dream it is highly unlikely to work anywhere in the western world.

However, there is nothing to stop us trading our skills, art, time, etc with each other. So whether you can walk someones dog, do the ironing, perhaps trade some art, whether you're a plumber or a builder for example with a taste for local artworks, a handy man, it doesn't matter. It is highly likely that 'out there' there is someone who can use your skills and provide you with a similarly useful service or piece of art, perhaps walk your dog when on holiday, babysit the children so you can get out for a meal, or simply iron your clothes. This also an excellent way to get to know people living in the neighbourhood. It's up to individuals to set their own values in trades with each other.Recently, for example, I helped someone build a photography dark room in exchange for 6 or 7 guitar lesons for my daughter.

For me, on occassions when I've been able to trade photography skills for example, with some local artists, I've been able to collect some genuinely lovely pieces that ordinarily might not be afforded. And believe me it is a whole lot more satisfying than mindlessly putting 'stuff' onto a credit card, which is precisely what has gotten us all into this mess of a recession in the first place! There's nothing quite like working and earning, and if you can work out a trade between you and another resident, then that's simply great. Eventually we can develop our own trading currency, say FiverWays

and work out a system of values for smaller trades that act as a credit amongst members so that you can buy in services you may need. So, having your garden tidied for example might cost 2 Fiverways, which you can then trade to get a plumber to fix that leaky tap you always forget to get done. One step at a time first though....

As with all things, the first step is the most difficult. So what is needed is for as many people locally to join in as possible. The more diverse and eclectic list of people and skills available the better, and the more likely it is to work. So pick up the phone and start trading with the people in the list below.

To join the list, simply email us your name, what you have to offer (such as ironing/artists/plumber/dog walker etc) and a contact phone number for people to start contacting you. All we ask is that a one off £10 payment is made so we know that people joining are committed and not just being fickle, as a sign of your committment to trade this way locally. 50% of each payment will be donated directly to Amaze in Brighton, who work with Special Needs Children across the City.

All we ask is that you be polite to each other and no trading livestock! :-)

Have fun trading!

Once joined, simply email me your details for uploading to this page.

I'll start, photography for families and individuals, businesses and clubs, will trade with artists and trades people, businesses and individuals for what you are offering. Call Jim on 542970.

More Skill Swappers below.

Well, I’m a copywriter so that’s the skill I’m prepared to swap for..who knows what – gardening and diy spring to mind. I can help small businesses with their promotional literature and website copy or help with product and business naming. I’ve got a lot of blue chip companies on my website but I do like doing small jobs too. For example, I wrote a strapline for Arkwright’s Deli on Beaconsfield Road – Tasty People, Friendly Food. Anna Dewis

Freelance advertising copywriter

01273 387674