Time bank sets up internet caf (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Time bank sets up internet caf

A MORETON-based time bartering charity is to set up the town's first internet caf after winning a £2,000 national award.

Cash-strapped Fair Shares, the country's first rural "time bank", which enables members to earn time credits to exchange for skills provided by other members, has won an AOL Innovation in the Community Award.

It is one of three community groups in Gloucestershire and 30 in the country to win one of the awards to support Internet projects. It also receives a free year's subscription to internet service provider AOL.

Jo Goldie, a time broker at Fair Shares, said the money would be used to set up the internet caf at its New Road offices once BT converts the local exchange for faster Broadband internet access, due on September 8.

"We are hoping to have four computers. Time bank members can pay with time and visitors to the town, such as people on holiday who want to check their emails, will be charged," said Jo.

"We will do teas and coffees and we hope to have time bank members making cakes. It depends on the demand," she added.

The organisation, which has been under threat of closure due to lack of funding but now has enough money to keep running until March next year, also hopes to extend its current 9am to 1pm opening hours, possibly to 7pm or 8pm, with time bank members staffing the new caf.

Jo and her fellow time broker Kate Newman have been invited to London on September 20 to receive the AOL award.

The award comes at a good time for Fair Shares, which was unsuccessful in its recent bid for a £150,000 community lottery grant.

However, the organisation has been encouraged to resubmit its application, which is for three years' funding, in October.

"They have given us some encouragement," said Jo.