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.
Sarah Stripe – Delivery and Partnerships Coordinator. Sarah helps deliver our Wiggly workshops, as well as supporting our fundraising and comms. Contact Sarah about our workshops, or if you’re interested in volunteering for Wiggly. Sarah@wigglycharity.org
Sarah joined Wiggly in September 2022.
Sarah was excited by the oppotunity to share her love of food and cooking with her wider community.
Sarah’s first career was working in Marketing for food companies all over the country but after retraining, she has spent recent years as a teacher working with children and young adults with Special Educational Needs.
Sarah is a keen gardener, DIY-er and traveller. Sarah’s favourite food is a traditional Sunday Roast (with all the trimmings!).
Sarah is a confident home cook who loves learning new things.
Insta: Instagram
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!
All supported by our lovely Wiggly volunteers
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 began.
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!
Billy joined Wiggly in July 2023.
Billy is a life long foodie. He understands the need to cook nutritious and delicious food while keeping a keen eye on costs. He believes food is an opening to the soul and always best shared with family or friends and wants to share his vast experience in charity sector.
Billy is from an IT background working for the likes Dominos & Pizza Hut in the US. He switched tack almost two decades ago and threw himself into what he loved. Food! He has since worked for several Michelin Starred restaurants and been an executive chef, consultant and teacher for event companies, cooking schools and wedding venues.
Billy lives in the West Midlands with his family and their Italian Greyhound. He spends plenty of time in the garden/allotment and sports a farmers tan for 5 months of the year!
Billy does not have a favourite dish but enjoying cooking and eating whatever the season offers. He does have a soft spot for Asian flavours and loves fresh fruit.
As a professional chef Billy can run any section of a kitchen. He has overseen events for 400 plus people. At home he makes weekly meal plans as he hates waste.