MEET THE WIGGLY TEAM...
Wiggly Operations Team
Claire Foote – General Manager
Get in touch with Claire to talk all things Wiggly, from partnerships to fundraising, from community events to future projects or how to support us claire@wigglycharity.org
Claire joined Wiggly in July 2023.
Claire is passionate about making a real difference in her community. She believes that everyone should have access to good food, cooking skills and nutritional knowledge as the basic building blocks for a healthy life.
Claire's corporate background is in UK government and in the international defence sector as a Chief of Staff. She has also spent some time in food retail and works as a regular volunteer at Cheltenham Festivals.
Claire lives in Cheltenham with her family and three rescue cats. She loves walking and playing the piano, but food is at the heart of most of her social activities. Claire's favourite savoury dish is a home-made curry with dhal and garlic pickle. On the sweet side, she enjoys a tangy lemon drizzle cake or a cheeky cinnamon bun.
Claire enjoys cooking a wide range of family meals with local and seasonal ingredients. She likes to make large batches to ensure plenty of leftovers for the next day!
Ryan Harris – Delivery and Partnerships Lead
Ryan heads up the Wiggly kitchen. Reach out to Ryan to talk about our current projects and all things food-related or find him on Instagram and Facebook as @wigglychef ryan@wigglycharity.org
Ryan joined Wiggly in September 2022.
Ryan has worked in the hospitality and education sectors in previous roles. Wiggly allows him to use his skills working with people, educating about food and passing on his phenomenal knowledge!
Ryan trained as a chef and worked locally. He then progressed into assessment, assessing chefs before working at a local SEN college as the Transtions Co-ordinator. Ryan wanted to get back to working more practically with people, and passing on his cookery knowledge.
Ryan lives in the Forest of Dean with his family. He is currently coaching his son’s under 14s football team. Ryan loves all things BBQ, slow smoked cooked meats. Next project for Ryan is to get his outside kitchen set up at home.
Ryan is a trained Chef, to Level 3 Pro Cook.
Charlotte Foote – Business Operations Assistant
Get in touch with Charlotte to discuss course availability and enrolment and general enquiries about Wiggly charlotte@wigglycharity.org
Charlotte joined Wiggly in September 2024.
Charlotte is passionate about health, fitness, and clean eating. She believes in the power of nutritious, whole foods, and enjoys exploring new meals that align with her lifestyle.
With a love for staying active, Charlotte can often be found in the gym, or on a run, finding balance between physical well-being and nourishing food. She has recently been expanding her cooking repertoire, incorporating a wider variety of fresh, seasonal ingredients into her meals.
Charlotte lives at home with her family and cats, and appreciates the comfort of home-cooked meals and sharing good food with loved ones.
Sue Guilding – Cook Educator
Sue is a freelance cook educator who is able to run courses and workshops for Wiggly
Sue joined Wiggly in 2011, right in the early days of its formation - initially working full-time and then on a part-time and latterly a freelance basis, to fit in with her other day to day work. She has been involved in a wide range of “Wiggly” projects over the years and particularly enjoyed seeing the life-changing outcomes of those who participated in the “Kitchen Challenge” cohorts over the years.
Following spells in journalism and R&D, most of Sue’s working life has been spent teaching nutrition, health and cookery in secondary schools and colleges within the county. Food and nutrition are great passions of hers, and she says it has been a privilege to develop food skills and knowledge in young people – a vital life skill, which sadly is not always passed down the generations.
Most weekday nights are “Ready, Steady, Cook” style, with the fridge contents acting as inspiration and then the recipe books come out at the weekend. Sue particularly loves French cuisine and is fortunate enough to make frequent visits across the Channel to visit markets and restaurants there.
In her spare time Sue enjoys cooking for friend and family, and also sports – especially swimming, badminton, Pilates and walking. She also loves teaching her three grandchildren to cook and enjoy great food.
Tom Ricketts – Kitchen Team member
Tom helps us take our Wiggly workshops out into the community.
Tom joined Wiggly in 2020, initially as volunteer.
Tom started as a volunteer during the pandemic, and when an opportunity came to work for the Wiggly Team, he applied as he’d found a role that really suited him. Tom’s favourite part of his job is working with lots of different people.
Tom has done a bit of everything from gardening, maintenace and building work. Alongside this role he also works as a youth worker.
Tom is originally from Leicester and re-located to Stroud five years ago. Tom enjoys comfort food like cottage pie - food which is simple and uncomplicated.
Tom’s cooking is basic, but he’s willing to experiment!
We are also grateful for our wonderful Wiggly volunteers, many of whom are former Wiggly participants who have stayed on to support others by prepping food for our courses and cooking alongside our Chef.
Wiggly Board of Trustees
Hannah is the Chair of the Wiggly Board, and has been a Trustee since 2017. She has volunteered with Team Wiggly since the charity begun.
Hannah is passionate about food, people and enabling all of us to be the best we can be.
Hannah’s career is with the NHS; she is a Registered Nurse and has a background of commissioning, service design, and is currently the Deputy Director Nursing, Therapies and Quality at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Trust.
Hannah lives in Cheltenham with her pussycats and when not at work can be found on the allotment. Hannah’s list of favourite foods is endless!
Hannah loves cooking, it is her way of relaxing, and prior to falling in love with Nursing she had always wanted to be a Chef!
Miranda joined the Wiggly team in 2018.
Miranda has worked with Wiggly for many years, initially with a partner organisation helping create community based inclusive activities, and then becoming a Trustee. She believes in the power of food to engage and inspire people of all ages and abilities.
Miranda’s background is in Occupational Therapy and working with people who experience long term physical and mental health conditions.
Miranda lives in Cheltenham. Cooking and sharing food is a very important part of her family’s life.
Miranda’s favourite food includes anything picked fresh from her allotment.
Miranda can make a very tasty bolognese!
Nick joined Team Wiggly in January 2022.
Nick believes food is fundamental to our lives, and is saddened by children and adults in 21st century Gloucestershire going hungry or not knowing how to cook. Wiggly tackles both of these issues with a passion and determination that he is really proud of.
Nick has worked in financial services all his life, firstly as a stockbroker and laterly as a financial adviser.
Nick lives in Cheltenham and is firmly behind the dog and two cats in the household pecking order.
Nick’s favourite food are currys - he has a superpower for eating them.
Nick makes a mean Yorkshire pudding!
Jess joined Wiggly in December 2023
Jess describes herself as a Youth Worker ‘by trade’ and has a background in developing and delivering social impact services for children, young people and families. Jess is currently the Head of Education and Community at Everyman Theatre Cheltenham.
Jess is passionate about needs led support and bringing people together; believing that access to positive activities, social connections and learning opportunities can have a transformative impact on communities. Her first exposure to Wiggly’s work was whilst leading a project supporting Young Adult Carers in Gloucestershire, and recalling the great partnership she’d enjoyed with the charity she reached out to join as a Trustee years later.
Sharing Team Wiggly’s love for cooking Jess is that rare person who enjoys meal planning(!), and loves to batch cook. Her go to mid-week meal is chicken, chorizo and bean stew and she gets inspiration for new recipes from Wiggly Chef on Instagram.
Ali joined Wiggly in September 2023
Ali lives is Gloucester with her family and two cocker spaniels, she enjoys spending time outdoors, watching Gloucester Rugby and cooking for family and friends.
Ali’s professional background is in Human Resources and organisational development, having worked in the NHS for most of her career. She is passionate about equality and inclusion, believing in the power of education and food to break down barriers and connect people.
Ali’s favourite dish is Japanese ramen and she also loves anything sweet.