In each of our monthly newsletters, we speak to one of our staff members or volunteers whose work makes a difference to the lives of those facing hunger in Cambridge. This month, we spoke to Nigel Canton, a seven-year-long volunteer who is currently one of our delivery drivers.
Read on to find out about his various roles since joining us in 2018, how our service has developed over the years, and what he likes to do when he’s not volunteering…
Can you tell us about your background and life prior to joining the Foodbank?
I’m originally from Winslow in Buckinghamshire and moved to Cambridge in 2015 after accepting a teaching job at a school just outside of the city. I left school at age 15 and, after a year at the local technical college, enrolled in the army where I served for the next 10 years. Since leaving the army and coming to Cambridge I’ve had numerous jobs, ranging from hospital porter to teacher and much besides.
What is your role and responsibilities when you volunteer at the Foodbank?
When I first joined in 2018, I initially volunteered in the warehouse, once a week during the evenings. I did this for three years before moving onto delivery driving as I was no longer able to regularly attend my evening shift at the warehouse. When I first started delivery driving, I was doing a bit of everything - taking food and supplies to distribution centres, picking up collections from supermarkets and taking supplies back to the warehouse - but over the last few months, I’ve mostly driven supplies to our Welcome Centres to ensure that they have everything that they need.
Why did you start volunteering with us?
To put it simply, it seemed like a worthwhile and good thing to do. I knew that there were people in the city that needed support, and it just felt right for me to be part of the solution for people who are facing hunger in Cambridge. I discovered the potential opportunities to volunteer with the Foodbank and I thought, why not? I haven’t looked back since.
How does your role compare now to when you first started?
When I first started volunteering, I was solely focused on my role in the warehouse, so I never really saw how the Foodbank operated outside of its warehouse. As a result, I was not really aware of how it interfaced with those who it supports and the direct impact it had. Since doing the deliveries, my understanding of how the Foodbank functions and the difference that we make to people’s lives has definitely expanded. When you realise the scale of support that the Foodbank is having to provide, you start to understand the levels of poverty in Cambridge, as well as why it’s so important that the Foodbank exists.
What do you like to do when you're not volunteering at the Foodbank?
I retired in 2021, but by no means does that mean that I’ve stopped working. On top of volunteering at the Foodbank, I teach at the University of the Third Age here in Cambridge and support my sister who lives with a disability. I’m also enrolled at Birkbeck College which is part of the University of London where I’m studying a mathematics course. In October, I hope to take up a place at Essex University to study for an MSc. In my downtime, I enjoy films, music and reading, although my primary focus at the moment is on learning, self-improvement and giving as much time as I can to others by whatever means I can.