Profile Piece, Clem Wallace

In this section of our newsletter, we shine a spotlight on someone whose work is integral in ensuring that no one in Cambridge faces hunger alone. This month, we spoke to our newly recruited Campaign Coordinator, Clem Wallace, who gave us an insight into his life before joining the Foodbank, his role as Campaign Coordinator, and what campaigning work he has been facilitating across Cambridge.

Read on to find out more…

Can you tell us about your background prior to joining the Foodbank?

I was born and raised in Bury St. Edmunds. I lived there until I moved to study History and Politics at York University, during which I took a year out to work in Brussels for the CBI. Recently, I lived in Manchester to complete my Masters in Global Development. Outside of my studies, I’ve worked across quite an eclectic mix of jobs, including in a timber factory and cleaning in care homes, but the role that stands out to me the most is my time volunteering at my local food bank while in Manchester. Speaking to the volunteers and visitors there and seeing the positive impact a community can have at a grassroots level was something that really stuck with me.

What are your roles and responsibilities at the Foodbank?

I’m the Foodbank’s Campaign Coordinator and it’s my job to organise people behind the Guarantee Our Essentials campaign. We work with a wide range of people and organisations across Cambridge to highlight the issues we face as a community. Over the last few weeks, I’ve visited our Foodbank Welcome Centres and Fairbite Food Clubs where I’ve spoken to some of our visitors. For some of them, it’s the first time they’ve opened up about the problems they’re facing. Having been unemployed for a time last year, I know that for many, just knowing that they are not alone and feeling heard can be a real turning point.

Each day, we hear more and more from people who never thought they’d ever need the support of a food bank. It’s my job to ensure that all of our visitors, regardless of if it’s their first visit or they’re a regular visitor, have a voice.

What made you want to be a part of the Foodbank team?

Having the chance to make a positive impact and work to create a meaningful change in people’s lives by giving them voice was something I couldn’t let pass me by. It’s even more exciting because it’s not a particularly established role, so it feels like it can go where we want to take it. My first few weeks in the role have been incredibly exciting and eye opening, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we’re able to achieve!

As Campaign Coordinator, are you able to tell us about the work you’ll be doing in 2025?

We recently held a meeting for the Guarantee Our Essentials campaign, where eight members of our community with experience of poverty met with me to discuss the campaign in the city. It was an exciting conversation to be a part of and I can’t wait to see what we build as a result! We’re also planning to host Foodbank visitors and volunteers in our newly launched Community Conversation Hour, which will be an opportunity for people to speak about issues they are facing and topics such as the benefits that nutritious food can have on mental and physical wellbeing.

These sessions will enable us to use attendee comments to influence our campaigns and ensure that these conversations are part of the solution. We’re also looking to take part in National Lobby Day, which will see us travelling to Westminster with other Foodbanks in the Trussell network to speak to MPs directly about the work we do and what we need to do to end the need for food banks. My hope is to lay the groundwork for a group or network that can outlive my time with the Foodbank so that they can take the lead on key campaign issues.

How can volunteers and the public support future campaigns?

Sign the petition to support the essentials guarantee so we can send a strong signal our local MPs, Daniel Zeichner, Pippa Heylings and Ian Sollum, that change is urgently needed – this will be shared in upcoming newsletters. Come along to the Community Conversation Hour that I’m hoping to organise in the coming months. Or why not strike up a conversation with someone at the welcome centre you’re in about the campaign? Keep an eye out in future newsletters for opportunities to get involved in, or feel free to email me at [email protected].

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

I have a passion for learning languages in my spare time and I’ve recently been brushing up on my Spanish whenever I get the chance. I’m also big fan of documentaries, especially ones that cover global events. Faith is a big part of my life too and I think my faith aligns closely with the mission of the Foodbank. The message of hope and belief is something that stays with me and I think resonates with a lot of people who are going through a difficult time.

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