The Pound in Your Pocket
Following the creation of the Totnes Pound, Lewis Pound and recent Brixton pound, artist Wendy Le Ber invites you to imagine a Waltham Forest Pound.
What are local currencies? Briefly described as either a share, token or voucher, these local pounds are exchanged for pounds Stirling and spent in local shops and businesses (that accept them) as equivalent pounds. People are encouraged to keep the money in circulation rather than saving it, though in some places an alternative banking system using local currencies operates.
These local currencies set out to improve their local communities, by strengthening the local economy whilst preventing money from leaking out.
“According to the New Economics Foundation, money spent locally stays within the community and is re-used many times, multiplying wealth and building resilience in the local economy” In contrast money spent in national or international chains and businesses is mostly siphoned away from their sites of operation.
People who choose to use local currencies are making a commitment to shopping locally, thus reducing their carbon footprint, keeping jobs in the local area and taking responsibility for the wellbeing of their community.
Wendy invites you to imagine that you have unlimited Waltham Forest Pounds, what would you spend them on?
You could spend them on yourself, family and friends and/or to improve the local area of Waltham Forest.
Please write your ideas on one of the notes and leave as part of the ongoing exhibition.
You may also take away a copy for yourself.
more information on local currancy
Brixton Pound
