A Settle woman has won a Churchill Travel Fellowship to learn how to turn time into something even more valuable than money – and help change people’s lives.

The honour, awarded by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, will enable Jo Rhodes to visit other countries in order to see first-hand how pioneering groups of local people have pooled their skills in order to boost the wellbeing of isolated rural communities.

While many recipients of the Fellowship visit several countries – usually across two continents – Jo has opted instead to visit tiny Welsh villages near Haverfordwest where she will learn more about timebanking schemes established in Pembrokeshire.

“There’s some really interesting work taking place in west Wales and I’m keen to learn more about what’s happening first hand – as it could bring real benefits to rural communities in other areas such as Craven,” she said.

Jo, 50, who is the director of Settle’s thriving Community and Business Hub, set up Settle’s Timebank four years ago. She is visiting the United States for the second part of her six week Fellowship.

Timebanks work by promoting the dynamic exchange of talents and skills – often built up over decades in specialist occupations or high-powered professional careers – and then sharing those skills by using time instead of money.

The timebanks’ shared goals all have one thing in common, rebuilding the confidence and sustainability of independent communities where time and skills freely shared are more valued than earnings or status.

She added: “I really feel there is value in understanding what works well in highly regarded rural timebanks in places like Maine and Vermont where there is strong evidence that older people have been able to stay active and fully engaged in their communities.”

She added that cuts to services and the loss of village shops, public transport and formal community support services have combined to create real problems for many people.

On her return she plans to share what she has learned on her travels with Timebanking UK, Timebanks USA, Age UK the county council – as well as her own extensive network across Yorkshire, and beyond.

The Churchill Fellowship was created by public subscription in 1965 as the living legacy of Sir Winston Churchill by his family after his death.