The Exchange

22/09/2026

Looking for a friendly place to work alongside others? We have a permanent desk space available in our bright, airy shared office and we’d love to welcome someone new. If you’re tired of working on your own and would enjoy a bit of company, connection and community during the working day, please get in touch with Aurelia at [email protected] — we’d be happy to tell you more. Message us if you’d like to pop in and have a look. Hot desks are also available for £20 per day, including tea and coffee if you just need the odd day here and there.

09/09/2026

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸.”

Meet The Exchangers – this week: Nicki Baker, Treasurer of Stroud Common Wealth

Most people who leave a workplace lose touch with it. Nicki Baker never has.

She first came to The Exchange back in 2008, as bookkeeper for Time Banking UK, a national charity that made the building its HQ. Nicki's since moved on to a new role at Finch Optical in Nailsworth, doing everything from accounts and marketing to social media and the occasional window dressing.

However, she's never quite left The Exchange behind: today she's Treasurer of Stroud Common Wealth, the charity that runs the whole place.

"As someone who used to work there, I feel like I can speak up for the people who work there now," says Nicki. "I can bring their point of view into the decisions we make."

It's a connection that goes back to when The Exchange was barely recognisable as the calm, comfortable space it is today.

"The place was basically a building site!" Nicki remembers.

"Everyone was squashed into what's now the conference room while the old Victorian girls' school - and, later, Selsley Herb Farm's warehouse - was turned into the big open-plan office it is now. Our desks were so close together it was certainly cosy!"

"Where the car park is now, there was a portaloo and a caravan that served as our kitchen, we had to walk along wooden planks to reach them."

Nicki's role at Time Banking UK soon grew from bookkeeping into organising events, training and supporting time banks across the country.

"I always looked forward to going to work at The Exchange because there was plenty of laughter, chat, coffee, and often cake, especially on someone's birthday.

Those human touches matter since we spend so much of our life at work. Even though everyone there comes from a different background, the way it's run means everyone's valued equally and feels welcome. That's part of the magic of the place."

🔗 More details about our campaign to raise money to buy and save The Exchange: https://theexchangestroud.org.uk

03/09/2026

The ceremony is tomorrow, Friday 4th September - and we've got everything crossed for Stroud Valleys Project, nominated in BBC Gloucestershire 'Make a Difference' awards, Environment category. 🌟🌳

We know this far-sighted charity well: its CEO, Clare Mahdiyone, has been a director of Stroud Common Wealth for many years and has poured her skills and enthusiasm into the development of The Exchange. The Projects' volunteers also created our garden which is enjoyed by all that use The Exchange.

Despite a staff team of only half a dozen or so, SVP works with over 150 volunteers across the Stroud district to create, restore and maintain natural habitats and greenspaces, grow food, and uncover overlooked wildlife-rich places, including rare habitats.

The events programme gets people of any age up close and personal with nature, to learn about its wonders.

This small, yet mighty, community environmental charity does incredible work reconnecting people with nature, especially those from some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds.

Congratulations and good luck to Clare and the team. These awards recognise the local heroes who go the extra mile to tackle the issues deeply affecting their communities - and they certainly deserve it. 🤞🤞🏆🏆

New volunteers or Friends of Stroud Valleys Project are always welcome - take a look at the website and see how you can get involved.

A film about the wonderful work of Stroud Valleys Project which sup...

25/08/2026

Looking at the past, present and future – in a nutshell, that’s the AGM for Stroud Common Wealth on 3rd September, the fantastic organisation that brought The Exchange to life and keeps it going every year.

And not only The Exchange. This unsung charity quietly gets on with making great things happen for Stroud’s community:

• Lansdown Hall – a neglected chapel transformed into a busy arts and music venue

• Gloucestershire Land for People – the organisation set up by SCW to work with Kevin McClouds’ company, redesigning the disused Cashes’ Green cottage hospital into a housing development with people and nature at its heart

• Rodborough Fields & Frome Banks Preservation Group – providing the initial admin & financial processes enabling the Group to raise £200,000 in 2 months

We’d love to welcome you to the AGM and share more of our story with you.

Thursday 3rd September, 12 noon – 2pm at The Exchange.

If you’d like to attend, email Reli at [email protected] and she’ll send you an agenda.

📍 The Exchange, Brick Row, Stroud GL5 1DF

🔗 Can you help us buy The Exchange & save it for Stroud? https://theexchangestroud.org.uk

12/08/2026

"𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲." 😋

Meet The Exchangers – this week: Ian Toplis of Complete Energy Solutions.

Look carefully behind Ian in the photo and you'll spot the evidence: a marmite-jar throne.

"One of the other Exchangers introduced me to it, and now I love the taste."

That's The Exchange in a nutshell – you come for the desk space, you leave with opinions about yeast extract.

Ian's the second-longest inhabitant of The Exchange (by 6 months) – originally arriving here to provide short-term maternity cover for Time Banking UK's IT officer. Eleven years later, he's still here.

He'd spent years in IT, watching computing evolve from room-sized machines that needed their own air conditioning to whatever's in your pocket now. 🤖💻🤳

Then a couple of years ago, bored of IT, he swapped it all for a new challenge: joining Richard Britten's company, Complete Energy Solutions, based right there at The Exchange. Moving desks took a lot of planning – his new one was all of 6 feet away.

"I'm still using computers, though for more fun stuff now – analysing water usage in new buildings, sound-proof testing, and assessing for overheating."

Oh, and somewhere along the way he was persuaded by another Exchanger to abseil down Stroud's multi-storey car park ro raise money for the charity, Stroud Valleys Project. That's the kind of thing that happens here.

"Getting involved in The Exchange is so much more than just having a place to work. Everyone here loves having a chat and a laugh, they're great company."


🔗 More details about our campaign to raise money to buy and save The Exchange: https://theexchangestroud.org.uk

10/08/2026

Lots of fantastic things happen at The Exchange, including this weekly LGBTQIA+ Alcoholics Anonymous meeting which happens every Friday at 6pm The meeting may not be something you need personally but you may know someone who would appreciate knowing that this welcoming and supportive recovery community is there 💜

30/07/2026

"It's weird not to be thought of as weird anymore"

Meet The Exchangers – this week: Caroline Aistrop of Green Spark Marketing

Caroline specialises in PR for sustainability, helping her clients turn their green activities, journeys and achievements into compelling communications — whether they're a sustainability-focused company or one simply doing the best they can to be greener.

Caroline's seen a huge shift in attitudes towards the environmental movement during her 35+ years working in it – and no longer has to lie at parties!

"When I started out, very few people had a clue what this 'environmental thing' was all about," remembers Caroline.

"Back then, if I told someone at a party what I did for a living, they'd either think I worked on a Greenpeace anti-whaling ship, knitted my own yogurt and hugged trees, or that I was just plain weird and would soon wander off. So I usually lied and said I was a biology teacher – even a passionate campaigner wants a bit of time off now and then!"

She's so heartened by the change in attitudes since then.

"If you'd told me when I started that the environment would be on Government and corporate agendas, I wouldn't have believed you. A 180 degree change in mindset has happened in a short space of time in human terms. Yes, the issues are still as urgent, possibly even more so, but society's mindset has come so far.

"And I still can't get used to not having to lie at parties any more – people are actually impressed with what I do!"

Caroline has been using The Exchange for twelve years, after her work space at home – doubling as a spare bedroom – was needed for a friend staying for a week and tried out The Exchange's hotdesks.

"That week was so enjoyable, having company every day after working alone and staring at the same four walls for a couple of years. I jumped at the chance without hesitating when a long-term desk rental became available. And I've never regretted it."

📍 The Exchange, Brick Row, Stroud GL5 1DF
🔗 More details about our share offer to buy the building: https://theexchangestroud.org.uk

24/07/2026

Home working is great .... until the builders arrive! 🏗

Reasons to be hotdesking - part 1

One of our hotdeskers is extremely thankful to have The Exchange to retreat to.

"I'm pleased to see the old, empty mill buildings opposite to where I live being turned into flats and houses." says Caroline who's been using The Exchange for many years.

"The renovation seems to be being done sympathetically and living by the canal will be a lovely place for the new residents to be. However, the builders have been digging up thick concrete floors with a pile driver for a couple of weeks, starting at 8am on the dot every morning."

"The hot weather means the windows need to be open - yet that prevents me from shutting out the noise. Trying to concentrate has been hard to say the least. Thank goodness The Exchange has been a bolthole offering peace and quiet."

Our tranquil hotdesks are available every day with:
🫖 lashings of free tea and coffee
🙋‍♀️the company of our wonderful regular desk renters
🌷and a cool garden to enjoy at lunchtime.

All for just £20/day.

If you'd like to have a look around before renting a desk, simply give Reli, our office manager a ring on 01453 762271 or email [email protected] to arrange a time.

📍 The Exchange, Brick Row, Stroud GL5 1DF

🔗 More details about the share offer: https://theexchangestroud.org.uk

20/07/2026

🌳Rodborough Fields: the next chapter: public meeting TONIGHT!

Last year, this local community raised a staggering £220,000 in just two months to buy one of the two Rodborough Fields. Now there's the chance to buy the second and tonight's public meeting will discuss what's possible.

📍 6pm tonight, The Prince Albert pub, top of Rodborough Hill: come along and hear more.

These fields aren't just a beautiful green corridor linking Rodborough to the River Frome. They're a traditional hay meadow and a haven for wildlife, and steeped in local history too - you can still see the ridges and furrows of a medieval farming system, and this was once where local mills laid out newly woven, freshly dyed cloth to dry in the sun.

When the community raised the funds to buy the first field, that money needed somewhere safe to sit - and potentially a legal owner - while the Rodborough Fields & Frome Banks Preservation Group became a formal charity.

That's where we came in: Stroud Common Wealth (which runs The Exchange) is a legally constituted organisation, so we stepped in as bankers for the funds, and stood ready to take on ownership if needed. In the end, the Group secured charitable status in time.

It's exactly this kind of behind-the-scenes support - helping Stroud's communities and entrepreneurs build a strong, thriving, fair town - that the Common Wealth exists for.

Come along tonight and be part of what happens next for the second field. 🌿

15/07/2026

"Being made redundant was one of the best things that's happened to me."

Meet the Exchangers – this week: Richard Britten of Complete Energy Consultancy.

After years as a Building Control Surveyor in the public and private sectors, redundancy pushed Richard to take a leap of faith and start his own business, over 14 years ago. He admits to it feeling scary at times:

"My wife and I had just bought a run-down house to renovate when I was made redundant, then we discovered she was pregnant with our first child! Suddenly all these financial needs appeared out of nowhere, yet I wasn't sure where my next client was coming from."

Undaunted, he rented one of The Exchange's low-cost desks and began building his business, drawing on contacts from his previous career.

Fourteen years on, Richard employs Ian, also a long-standing Exchanger, plus several sub-contractors. Together they help developers, self-builders and anyone in the building trade meet the energy efficiency standards set by building regulations.

As government testing requirements have grown more complex, so has Complete Energy Consultancy's range of services.

"As well as testing the air tightness of new buildings — making sure warm air isn't escaping and cold air isn't creeping in — we test sound-proofing, ventilation systems and water usage. Our latest addition is assessing buildings for overheating, which matters more as climate change takes hold."

Richard is quick to credit the support of fellow Exchangers.

"Most here are self-employed too, so they know how hard it can be, and how rewarding. They've given me so much moral support. I've got my fingers crossed The Exchange can be saved, to help even more entrepreneurs like me."

Help us Save The Exchange! Our campaign to buy the building and support tomorrow's microbusinesses runs until 31st July. Visit The Exchange to find out how you can help: https://theexchangestroud.org.uk