The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the 's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".
The objectives of the company are to advance the education of the public in the subject of cooking and food skills to promote awareness and education into sound nutrition and in doing so, promoting public health.
- The provision of learning opportunities and training, with the emphasis on the acquisition of practical skills.
- The general promotion of the knowledge of sound nutrition and culinary skills in the community.
- Fundraising and publicity to support the above activities.
WIGGLY CHARITY ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE 2024/25
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am pleased to present our impact report for the year November 2024 to October 2025. Building on our growth during 2023/24, over the past 12 months, Wiggly has continued to expand its reach across Gloucestershire through cookery and meal programmes for some of the most marginalised people in our communities, reducing isolation, improving wellbeing and equipping participants with kitchen skills and confidence.
Our impact in numbers 2024/25
Our top-line delivery data grew in all categories, and shows the scale and depth of Wiggly’s impact this year:
Growing reach: This year, our team engaged with 3040 participants and served 5239 meals – an increase of 23% and 57% respectively on the same period in 2023/24. We also delivered 490 hours of cookery education supported by volunteers who contributed 251 hours.
Surplus Shared: We believe in sharing any surplus donations that we receive with other organisations. This year, we distributed 590kg of surplus food donations from Creed Foodservice and Project Grow and 155 pieces of kitchen equipment donations from ProCook across 13 local charitable and voluntary organisations.
Wider footprint: We are working in more areas of Gloucestershire than ever before, breaking down the barriers for people to learn to cook. This year we reached 22 different venues and delivered 46 distinct projects to people of all ages and abilities
Social Source growth: Our Social Source project in collaboration with Project Grow CIC more than doubled its output, producing 796 jars of seasonal sauces and preserves in 2024/25. Social Source is designed to generate an income stream via creation of sauces and chutneys using produce grown locally by Project Grow. Products are now stocked by a growing network of seven independent retailers and visitor attractions, including The Different Kind in Cirencester and Westonbirt Arboretum.
Award-Winning Impact: Wiggly was proud to be named Food Hero 2025 at the Gloucestershire Foodie Awards, with Social Source winning Start Up of the Year at the same event.
These figures sit behind so many individual journeys of learning, change and connections. Our small team has worked with children as young as four and people in their 80s. We have reached young adults struggling with employment, veterans at risk of homelessness, adults with a learning disability, families living on low incomes, carers seeking respite from their responsibilities, widowers cooking for themselves for the first time and many more besides. It is impossible to categorise the variety of people and challenges that come into our kitchens, but the common theme is one of people seeking social connection, confidence-building and nutritional knowledge to live independent, healthy lives.
Growing demand and programme delivery
This year, we have expanded our programme of cookery courses and community lunches, adapting them to individual needs, dietary requirements and learning styles.
Our diverse cookery education and food programme has included:
Multi-week and seasonal courses for adults with learning disabilities, health conditions or those who are socially isolated or otherwise marginalised in society.
Ad hoc sessional workshops in Gloucester, introducing new people to Wiggly and helping to minimise the anxiety of joining a new activity.
The use of new venues for cookery sessions, including the Butterfly Garden in Cheltenham where our sessions support adults with a disability or additional needs.
Weekly community pay as you can lunches at School House Café in Cheltenham, where attendance has grown throughout the year.
Continued close partnership with Gloucestershire Deaf Association, cooking for their community lunch club and running tailored events for their children and teen groups
Specialist multi-week courses, including building numeracy and employability skills
A series of after-school cookery sessions for parents and children at a local primary school in an area of deprivation.
In addition to building foundational cookery skills, our courses focus on boosting participants’ confidence and wellbeing and reducing social isolation and anxiety. Feedback from participants and partners continues to shape our programmes, helping us to refine session content, accessibility and support.
Enhancing organisational capacity
As a Board, we have invested in strengthening our team and governance this year, in line with growing demand for Wiggly services. In September, we recruited a second Community Chef and in October, we further enhanced the team with the addition of a part time Business Operations Coordinator to manage our participant enrolment and evaluation processes. Staffing throughout the year also benefited from ad hoc course delivery by an experienced freelance Cook Educator.
We have also made three new appointments to the Board this year; Michael Barlow, Executive Head of Food and Beverage at the Cheltenham Trust, Roseann Thompson, Community Engagement Manager at Katherine House Hospice, and Ayako Hirota, Social Impact Entrepreneur. The three new Trustees bring a diversity of skills and expertise to help Wiggly achieve financial sustainability and will play a key role in shaping our long term strategy.
Funding and financial progress
2024/25 marked another step change in our fundraising capability and income generation. We diversified income through grants and commissioned courses. We received much-needed core funding from both Garfield Weston Foundation and Notgrove Trust, enabling us to strengthen our operational team. Project funding was forthcoming from NHS ICB, Gloucestershire Community Foundation and Barnwood Trust. Creed Foodservice, ProCook Gloucester, Follow the Flow Cookery Books and We Are Project Grow CIC have continued to support us with much valued donations in kind which we have been pleased to share with the wider community. Our diverse income sources have enabled Wiggly to weather the continued pressure on unrestricted reserves. The Board remains committed to building a resilient funding mix and to diversifying our sources of funding further.
Looking ahead to 2025/26
Demand for Wiggly’s services is expected to remain high but our new team structure will enable us to meet delivery demand and continue to support our many positive partnerships. Our intent is to consolidate our existing team and to reinforce our positive partnerships across Gloucestershire, with local authorities, schools, health services and the voluntary sector, to ensure Wiggly’s programmes reach those most in need.
We are also looking forward to piloting some new programmes for 2026:
A Future Prevention programme for young men at risk of involvement in violent crime, run by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner;
An NHS GP pilot programme for patients at risk of certain health conditions;
An Employability Pilot supporting participants to gain catering and hospitality experience to support their transition into employment.
As Chair of Trustees, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our team, volunteers, partners and funders. Their dedication and generosity continue to enable Wiggly to transform lives through the power of food, fostering confidence, connection and community across Gloucestershire.
Hannah Andrews
Chair of Board of Trustees
It is the policy of the that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the ’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The is a company limited by guarantee, with no share capital governed by its Memorandum and Articles of association.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £10 in the event of a winding up.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Wiggly Worm Limited (the ) for the year ended 31 October 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the ’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
The Wiggly Worm Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 52 Westgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 2NF.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)". The is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the . Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the in an independently administered fund.
Food education project income is restricted to specific projects which promote the objectives and aims of the company. Once a project is completed any remaining funds are transferred from restricted funds to the unrestricted funds as agreed by the donor.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).