The Cotswold Food Network (CFN) is an informal network of organisations, groups, and individuals working together with the aim that everyone in Cotswold district has a range of suitable food options that are accessible, affordable, and healthy.
This case study looks at the impact of the Community Support Officer who fulfils a Food Sustainability role; a three-year contract hosted and employed by Cotswold District Council running from December 2023 to 2026.
What the role involves
As part of the Council’s Community Wellbeing team, this role seeks to work with groups, organisations, and individuals to improve food equity in Cotswold District. This work has broadly been in two parts: to identify assets, gaps, and challenges, and then seek to bring about positive and, where possible, sustainable change for our communities.
The focus of the work has been facilitating financial inclusion improvement, alongside cost of living and food support. The role works closely with freelance consultant Lizzie Dyer, who provides strategic support for CFN and leads on influencing and partnership work with VCSE and statutory organisations.
Key areas of focus include:
- Engaging with the local voluntary and community sector and enabling connections with local authorities and other statutory bodies.
- Sharing knowledge between groups, organisations, and community members.
- Supporting initiatives to improve access to financial support, free and affordable good quality food, and reducing food waste.
- Co-ordination and facilitation of activities and outcomes with stakeholders.
- Putting evidence-based information (like LIFT and membership intelligence) in front of commissioners and other decision-makers.
Examples of the work in action
- Events and meetings: Running and supporting events and meetings, both Cotswold-wide and within smaller localities.
- Information sharing: Producing monthly newsletters and regular updates, alongside electronic (GIS) mapping of assets across Cotswold District (such as food provision, financial support organisations, community spaces, and buildings).
- Information guides: Creating practical guides covering Allotments, Food Procurement, Food Growing, and the IFAN ‘Worrying about Money’ leaflets.
- Supporting initiatives: Delivering a Small Grants scheme, using data to identify where and who to support (via the Low Income Family Tracker), and providing free food and drink at HAF and Strengthening Communities events.
- Enabling organisations to be more aligned by closer working.
- Embedding the strategic and operational needs of the Cotswolds through connecting with a broad network.
- Representing Cotswold Food Network members at forums like Gloucestershire Rural Partnership, Community Response Network, and Integrated Local Partnerships and its sub-groups.
The difference the work has made
The main advantages of the role have been in providing new capacity to co-ordinate and facilitate organisations and groups to work together on strategic initiatives, such as HAF funding and the Crisis and Resilience Fund. It has also supported direct service delivery, including financial advice, support, and increased take-up of benefits campaigns.
The Network has received positive comments about its grant-giving, its newsletter, and its information sharing.
Some initiatives have faced challenges; for example, providing infrastructure to redistribute surplus food more effectively has not taken off, as Cotswold does not currently have a network of local food hubs.
Plans for the future
Support, engagement, and co-production with a wide range of stakeholders has helped the Network succeed. The funded part of this work is due to end in December 2026. The hope is that if the wish and capacity is there, the positive elements can continue and develop as stakeholders need, with or without funding.
Following a meeting on 1 July, Cotswold Food Network will be facilitating work with stakeholders in the second half of 2026 to understand and develop a positive, value-added, sustainable network benefiting Cotswold organisations and communities. The main themes of the work will continue until December 2026.
