Community Fridge Coordinator

About the Waterside Food Project:

The Waterside Food Project is a community initiative managed by New Forest Aquaponics CIC. Apart from our Aquaponics operation, we work to reduce food waste, promote food sharing, and support our local community through initiatives like the Community Fridge at Hythe Library. This fridge is free and open to all – helping save good food from going to waste and ensuring everyone has access to fresh, surplus produce. To find out more about our projects visit www.newforestaquaponics.com

Interested in joining us?

We’d love to hear from you – whether you want to take on the full role or be part of a small team of coordinators. Just register your interest today.

About the Role:

We are looking for one or more friendly, organised, and compassionate Community Fridge Coordinators to help manage the daily running of our Hythe Library fridge. This doesn’t mean doing it all on your own! You’ll be supported by a team of volunteers and our Project Support Coordinator. Together, we aim to keep the fridge stocked, clean, welcoming – and fair for all who use it.

This role is flexible and can be shared – perfect for anyone wanting to get involved in a meaningful local project and help build a stronger, more sustainable community.

What We Offer:

• A flexible and supportive volunteering environment.
• Full support from our Project Support Coordinator and existing volunteers.
• Opportunities to shape and improve the way the Community Fridge works.
• A chance to make a real difference in your local community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fridge Stocking: Ensure the fridge is stocked daily by collecting surplus food from our Blackfield Shop and transporting it to Hythe Library.
• Cleanliness & Safety: Help maintain a clean, tidy, and food-safe environment by wiping down the fridge and shelving regularly.
• Volunteer Support: Work with our volunteer team, helping with scheduling, coordination, and support as needed.
• Community Monitoring: Keep an eye on fridge usage and behaviours. If there are issues with fair access or misuse, report them calmly to the Project Support Coordinator so we can work on respectful solutions.
• Communication: Maintain good communication with volunteers, library staff, and the Project Support Coordinator to ensure smooth operations.
• Problem Solving: Help develop ideas and systems that support fairness and accessibility for all, especially for those who can’t visit early in the day.

Skills

We are looking for:

• A calm, friendly and fair-minded person with strong people skills.
• Someone who is reliable, practical and happy to be part of a team.
• Able to stay level-headed when dealing with tricky or sensitive situations – you won’t need to confront anyone directly, just help us monitor and address concerns.
• Comfortable with light manual tasks like carrying crates or cleaning shelves (with help available).
• Organised and flexible, with good communication skills.