Fremington hero transforms community with Don't Just Bin It North Devon initiative

A Fremington woman has become a beacon of hope and change in her community through her initiative, Don't Just Bin It North Devon.

Inspired by her own experiences growing up in foster care and facing homelessness at 16, Maz Griffin, 39, has dedicated herself to making a difference in the lives of others.

The creation of the community interest company began in 2014 when Maz, a passionate advocate for nature and upcycling, decided to take action during a shed tidy-up. 

Instead of discarding old coloured light bulbs, she created a Facebook group to offer items for free to those in need.

What started as a simple act of kindness has blossomed into a thriving community movement with more than 21,000 members.

Reflecting on her motivation, Maz shared: "I hate wasting anything. I will always Google what I can do with something."

She added: "My inspiration, I think, was knowing myself what it’s like to have nothing, and yet a simple thing like a bed or a plant pot can make such a difference to someone in those shoes."

Don't Just Bin It North Devon has evolved to address various needs within the community. From providing budgeting advice and assistance with benefits to organising street pantries offering essential food items, the initiative has become a lifeline for many.

"I don’t think there’s much else we don’t do," Maz chuckled, "but we love it."

Despite the challenges of juggling volunteer work with personal responsibilities, Maz has remained committed to expanding the initiative's reach.

Plans for the future include establishing a dedicated base of operations, increasing support for food collections, and acquiring a van for logistical needs.

Reflecting on the impact of Don't Just Bin It North Devon, Maz has recalled heartwarming moments of seeing families thrive thanks to the community's support. 

"I've had lots of lovely memories over the 10 years," she said, "just seeing people smile because they can eat, or a family going to the pantomime with tickets we have been gifted who never thought they would ever go because of the cost of it."

To get involved or learn more about Don't Just Bin It North Devon, individuals can join the Facebook pages Don't Just Bin It North Devon CIC and Don't Just Bin It North Devon Fremington Community Pantry or reach out via email at dontjustbinitnorthdevon@gmail.com.