wiggly past,
present and
future!
WIGGLY IS COMMITTED TO OFFERING PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFE THROUGH FOOD
TIME TO GET A WIGGLY ON…
Wiggly has grown from a small volunteer-led charity in Gloucestershire to an organisation helping thousands each year by promoting the public health benefits of cooking, food skills, and nutrition.
Our story begins with Jack, the young son of Rob Rees MBE DL, who loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In the Rees household, it was affectionately called The Wiggly Worm - the perfect name for the charity Rob founded in 2007.
Initially intended as a primary school campaign to teach children how to cook, Wiggly quickly evolved into something much broader. It became a driving force for food education and social change, inspiring projects that help people understand the journey of food from "farm to fork."
Today, Wiggly provides hands-on cooking experiences that empower individuals, particularly those who are vulnerable, marginalised, or disadvantaged. Through inclusive cooking courses and community programmes, we build confidence, develop life skills, improve health, and reduce social isolation.
We believe food has the power to bring people together. Whether peeling, chopping, cooking, or sharing a meal, our welcoming spaces encourage participation for all. By working with local organisations, schools, and support services, we ensure food remains a tool for empowerment, connection, and lasting change.
Wiggly Values
Our Wiggly Values underpin everything that we do and every decision that we make. They ensure that we operate with alignment, consistency, transparency, clarity, and rigour.
Inclusive
Wiggly Charity is fully inclusive in all its work, organising and offering services without judgment and with compassion, leaving no one behind. Our kitchens provide a safe space for everyone involved.
Professional
Wiggly staff, volunteers, Trustees and partners maintain the highest professional and ethical standards. We share ideas freely so that we can improve and evolve to serve the local community and beyond.
Collaborative
Wiggly collaborates and cooperates with a diverse range of stakeholder groups, building effective partnerships that meet individual and community needs in a way that is meaningful to them.
Empowering
Wiggly Charity empowers people to reach their potential. Our courses motivate, inspire and empower people by teaching new skills in the kitchen and building confidence and self-esteem through food.
Accessible
Wiggly is accessible to people of all ages and abilities. We pride ourselves on being innovative, flexible and adaptable in everything we do.
WIGGLY beliefs
Our Beliefs act as the foundation of all our decision making, helping us to achieve alignment, consistency, transparency, clarity and rigour
Safety First
Considering staff and participant safety as top priority into everything we do and mitigating any risks identified.
Positive Impact
Making the right project decisions to ensure we reach people in need in a way that is meaningful to them across Gloucestershire communities.
Values Alignment
Selecting income generation projects, events, activities and funding streams that are a good match to the Wiggly value set.
Consistency
Maintaining consistent use of our brand and Wiggly messaging in all our interactions - online, in print and in person.
Inclusivity, Diversity and Accessibility
Ensuring that all projects are designed with inclusivity, diversity and accessibility in mind, with no one left behind.
Active Growth Management
Taking Wiggly’s future strategy into account in all decisions, to build a strong foundation for growth.
Making The Most Of limited resources
Always working to maximise Wiggly output and benefit from limited resources - financial, people, materials, equipment and ingredients.