Meet Eleanor Southall, a volunteer at Cambridge City Foodbank

At just 20, Eleanor is bringing creativity, enthusiasm and fresh ideas to our Fairbite development project, all while balancing her International Relations and Sociology degree at university.

We spoke to Eleanor to learn a little bit more about her background, what inspired her to volunteer and why giving back has become such a meaningful part of her university journey.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m 20 years old and I’ve lived in Waterbeach for most of my life. I’ve been up in Birmingham for the past two years at university, where I’m studying International Relations and Sociology, which has been fantastic. It’s a lovely city with lots to do, but once you’ve spent time in bigger cities like Birmingham, I think you start to realise just how special Cambridge really is.

What made you want to volunteer with the Foodbank?

I’ve spent so much time in and around Cambridge, and volunteering locally was something I’d wanted to do for a long time. Even before becoming a regular volunteer, I’d donated food during Christmas food drives as it was a way to give back to the local community. What encouraged me to get started was a module at university, where I was tasked with carrying out a community engagement project, conducting research, and reflecting on my experience – I instantly knew Cambridge City Foodbank was the perfect place for me. University gave me the push I needed to become a volunteer, and I’m very glad it did.

What kind of activities does your role involve?

It’s a real mix of admin and creative tasks. For example, recently I’ve been working closely with the Fairbite development team. I’ve been researching organisations we could work with, designing posters and leaflets for Fairbite members and helping organise operational aspects. Some days I’m working in Canva creating promotional material, and other days I’m booking shopping slots and helping out wherever I’m needed - I enjoy the variety. Whether it’s creative work, admin or planning, it’s fascinating to see everything that happens behind the scenes to keep the Foodbank running.

What do you find most rewarding about volunteering for the Foodbank?

It’s rewarding because it's not just helping people today – It's about looking towards the future too. We don’t just provide emergency food; we improve long term circumstances and change lives. For our Fairbite development project, we are exploring ways to offer support with budgeting, health checks, cooking and nutrition skills, and even assisting members into employment – it really feels like a great cause to be part of.

On a more personal note, it also ties in nicely with my Sociology degree. I learn a lot about diversity and different life situations through my role at the Foodbank, and that wider perspective has given me a much deeper understanding of the concepts I study at university. 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

When I’m not studying, volunteering or working at Clare College, I love going to concerts and live events. I’ve got quite a few coming up, including The Weeknd, Craig David, and All Points East, so I’m looking forward to a busy summer!