MIGRATEFUL Migrateful Annual Accounts 2024-2025 Year ended 30 September 2025
Migrateful Trustees, Report Year Ended 30th September 2025 REFERENCE DEfAILS Trustees Mary Locke, Chalr {Resl8ned 2nd December 2025) Paul Kane Sara Zimmerman {appolnted 24th March 2025, Chalr from Netsi Munoth 17th September 2025) Nell Taylor Edln Basic lappointed 24th March 2025) Nlcola Baker lappolnted 24th March 2025, reslgned 26th Wayne Holder (appolnted 24th March 2025) January 2026) Wlll Cardy (appointed 16th June 2025) Habib Sedat (resigned 24th March 2025) Emily Miller Isabel Passos Sachs (resigned 9 December 2024)
CEO Auditors Godfrey Wilson Llmlted Jessica Thompson Chartered accountsnts and statutory auditors Registered name Migrateful 5th Floor Marlner House 62 Prlnce Street Bristol BSI 4QD Bank Charity registration number 1180110 Metrobank I Southampton Row London WCIB SHA Registered address 40 Bowling Green Lane London ECIR ONE Website address
Table of Contents Migrateful's Charitable Objectives and Activities....................................... Changing Narratives About Migration.............................. p. 54-55 A Message From Our CEO and Founder... p. 8-9 Growing Our Impact In Bristol.. . p. 56-57 Our Theory Of Change............. p. 10-11 Organisational Progress...., p. 58-64 Our Journey So Far.................... p. 12 Financial Review.................. p. 65-73 A Snapshot Of Our Year........... p. 13 Independent Auditor's Report.................................... p. 74-77 Who Are Our Chefs................... p. 14-17 Statement of Financial Activities................................ p. 78 What We Offer Our Chefs...... p. 18-24 What We Offer Our Class Participants....,. Balance Sheet....................... p. 79 . p. 25-33 Statement of Cashflows..... p. 80 Our Volunteers.......................... p. 34-38 Notes to Financial Statements............................ p. 81-95 Life After Migrateful................. p. 39-53
Migrateful's Charitable Objectives @Activities OBJECTIVES Migrateful exists to help the UK'S mlgrant communlty on thelr Journey to employment and Independence and to promote Inte8ration. other mi8rants to the UK thmu8h the provlsion ofr Vocatlonal ond skills troinin8. work experience, advice and support. • Social and recreational locilities and events invofvin8 the local community. • Educational ond awareness compoi8ns to erKoura8e the public to seneft711y be more acceptin8 ol, ond enga8e with socially excluded communitie& . MIGRATEFUI In settin8 objectlves and plannin8 activitles, the trustees conflrm that they have complied with their duty under Sectlon 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due 3rd to the Charity Commisslon's guldance on publlc benef It. For the purposes of thls clause "soclally excluded. means "people who ore excluded from soclety, or parts of society. os o result of one or more of the lollowins roctors". unemployment,. To promote soclal inclusion for the publk financial hordship." race", gender.. poor benefit by preventing people Irom educational or skills attainment,. becoming socially excluded, relieving the disability.. ethnic orftgin". reli8ion.' belief", needs ol those people who dre sociolty creed.. or who dre within. or hove excluded ond asSlStin8 them to Integrate experienced. the public care or penal into society. in particular. but not system". exclusively, refvgees asylum seekers and The objects of Migroteful, as stated In the Constitutlon, are.
To promote equolity and diversity ond rocial ond rell8ious homiony for the publlc benefit through the provispon of activities to loster understandin8 and good rdations between people from diverse back8nd The preventlon or rellef of poverty by provldin8.' grants, items ond servkes to Individuols In need, In portlcular. but not exclusivefy, refvgees. osylum seeker5 and other migrants to the UK. 4$ Mi8rateful achieves Its obhectlves by offering cookery classes Whe migrant chets Sha thelr traditional cuislne. Cultu and storles with the public. More Snformation about our actlvities are outllned below. OUR ACTIVITIES Tralnlng and Support Migrateful recruits and trains passionate refu8ee and migrant home cooks transformin8 them Into cookery class teachers (our "chefs?. Throu8h structured trainin8 pro8ramme. chefs develop skills In teachin8, publlc speaklng and facilltation, while buildlng conf idence, Improvin8 spoken Engllsh and reducin8 social isolatiorL Each chef receives on8oin8 SUPI)ort throu8hout the programme. includin8 re8ular chef socials, mentorin8. pastoral care and access to wider employment and wellbein8 SUPlJOrt. Following their inltial trainin& chefs gain practical experience leading cla55es over a period of two to three year5. developing pathways into employment. Those with the right to work a paid for teachin8, while others can acces5 a small solidarlty fund providing financial support to help cover basic livin8 Costs.
Cookery Classes Once tralned. our chets lead cookery classes for wblic and corporate audlences. In %nall, Interactive groups. particlpants leam to cook dishe5 from the chef's culture while hearing their personal stories, creating an intimate and human learning experience. The classes are designed around the prlnclples of contact theory. whlch shows that meaningful Interaction between dIffent 8foLIPS Can duce pjUdice when people meet on equal terms. Wofk towards a shared goal and have opportunities for personal connection. Classes take place In our dedlcated cookery schools In central London and Brlstol, as well as partner venue& They provlde valuable pald work experlence for chefs whlle offering partlclpants the chance to learn rbew skllls. meet new people and engage ditlY wlth migrants. Corporate team-buildin8 dasses also fonn a key part of our delivery. Together, these activitle5 SUPPOrt refugees Into employment while helpin8 to challenge stereotypes. reduce prejudice and stren8then soclal coheslon.
A Message From Our Founder and CEO Jess When I stsrted Mlgrateful over eight Whilst these developments have been ¥ear5 ago, It was a deeply upsetting deeply unsettling for our community. time. with a noticeable increase in anti- they have also made our work at ml8ration rhetoric In the media, Ml8rateful feel more Important, and culminatin8 in the Brexlt referendum. more needed. than ever. Thls has brought neWed energy and purpose The 5dea behind the Migratefvl towhatwedo. cookery classes was twofold: to SUPPOrt ml8r3nts and refugees to Integrate, and to foster a more welcomln8 environment for mi8rants In the UK. Despite the hostlllty that refu8ees arKI asylum seekers are faclng In the UK what fee15 so powerful about Mi8rateful Is our ability to offer our chefs a microcosm of a dIffent klnd of envlronmentr. one in which they feel loved. celebrated and welcomed. It Is hard not to feel dlsheartened to see that the external environment appears to have only W0ened since then, glven the rlse in antl-mi8ratlon As you will read In the pages of thls protests. the growln8 popularlty of port, Migrateful chefs speak about Reform, and a Labour govemment that the Ilfe-changing nature of beln8 given continues to limit the rights of refugees the opportunlty to teach thelr cookery In the UK through restrlctlve asylum classes. policie5, prolonged walting times, and ongoln8 barriers to work and stsbillty.
As Ada. a Migrateful chef from Turkey, put ic 'The day I stsrted at Migrateful. a bi8 light turned on In my heart.. We would not be where we are wlthout the support of our volunteers, with over 900 people 8ivin8 their time to support our classes. alongslde the commltment of our trustees. Opportunitles for people from different back8rounds to come together are becomin8 Increasln8ly rare. Cuts to public fundin8 over the last decade have led to a decllne In community centres arKI shared spaces. meaning there are fewer places where people from different backgrounds naturally ml We rK>W have two cookery schools to call our own: one in Farrlngdon, London, and one In Bedmlnster. Bristol. Openin8 our Bristol cookery school in November 2025 was a major milestone for Mi8rateful, made posslble through hu8ely successful fundralsin8 campaign, whlch you can read more about below. The Mi8r3teful model offers a much- needed response to increasin8 polarlsatlon around immigration by brin8in8 people tO8ether to Share food. Through thls contact, empathy and understanding are fostered. Th5s report wlll take you through the Impact our m¢xlel has had on the Ilve5 of our chefs, participants and volunteers. Thank you to everyone who has made this Impact possible. We hope you enjoy readin8 more about what we have achieved. Over the reporting period Oct 24 - Sep 25 ¢heafter referred to as FY 24125), the team has worked incredibly hard to dellver more than 770 cookery classes, support 97 chefs, and welcome 9,257 participants into our classes.
Our Theory Of Change Mlgrateful runs cookery classes In whlch ml8rant chets teach their traditional cuisines to the public. Through our tralning SXO8ramme and teachin8 classes. chefs 8aln valuable skills and work experlence. bulld confldence. Improve thelr Engllsh. and become part of a nurturln8 community. At the same tlme. members of the public are Invlted Into a posStlve, shared space Whe thty can learn. connect and enga8e wlth ml8rants as Indlvlduals, rather than through abstract or pollticlsed narratlves. In thls way. our model operates on two levels at once: 5upporfn8 migrants who face barrlers to Inte8ratlon. and addssIng the wSder publlc narratlves that shape how ml8ratlon Ss understo¢xl. Our Theory of Chan8e15 Illustrated In the dla8ram on the next page, whlch shows how MS8rateful's adivltles lead to Impact for both ml8rants and the wlder publlc. 10
Ituation Activities Outcome FOR THE CHEFS REFUGEESAND MIGRANTS SUPPORT Intefmediate Outcomes Increased ernployabS11ty Increased acces5 to other volunteerlng. educatior1 and employment opportunltles Increased confidence in mlxing with other people Improved En8llsh Incased sense of belonging In the UK Trainlng and hollstic support to migrant5 to become Mlgrateful chefs Refugees and mlgrants face barriers to Integratlng and contributin8 to UK society Lon8 Tenn Outcomes Migrants more integrated and able to fully contribute to society Chan8ln8 narratives through press & research PUBLIC Immigration Is often perceived negatively by the public FOR THE PUBLIC InterndIate Outcomes Warmer attitudes to migrants Increased knowledge about issues faced by migrants CLASSES Chets teath cookery classes to the publlc Long Tern Outcomes A more welcoming society for migrants which is enriched by thelr contributlons 11
Our Journey So Far Contract slgned for new Bristol cookery school 1714125 , Kent pro8ramme j be8in5165th chef starts ', | 115121 120,0(Klth partlclpant 14110/21 London cookery I school opens 19110/21 2,OCM)th class 14112/21 92- chef starts 115123 5.000th class 30/6/25 Flrst class 1515117 Jess flrst pald staff member 111118 particlpant 2812119 Brlstol programme begins 2719119 Brlghton programme be8lns 719123 Onllne classes end 30/7/25 Flr5t partlclpant 1515117 Flrst corporate class 514118 Target reached for Brlstol cookery school Crowdfunder 16/7125 40,OOOth particlpant 1110123 Flrst chef 5tsrts j 1515/17 2025 1017 1018 1019 1010 2021 2022 1013 2024 4.0(X)th class 1712124 80" chef starts 115/22 Flrst onllne clas5 1314120 50° chef stsrts 1110120 50,IX)Oth I partlcipant 1 1/7124 j 112th chef starts 21/08124 participant 119/25 30,0(X)th particlpant 219122 3,OOOth class 11112122 10th chef stsrts 16/5/18 IOOth class 718118 Mlgrateful gets charlty status 2719118 126th chef starts 08/10125 Ih Mlgrateful Ltd fonned (as company) 5/7117 10.IXO participant 9/12120 IOCMY, class 11112120 Brlstol cookery school opens 4111/25 Reached £lm tumover 30/9124 ICX)th partlclpant 26/10/17 12
FY 24/25 In Numbers 59 CHEFS TEACHING CLASSES 4,638 14 HOURS OF WORK EXPERIENCE CHEFS TRAINED 13
ty,J.l- I Who Are Our Chefs? 14
Our 'chefs' are referred to us because they a stru88lin8 to integrate into UK society. Many are still processln8 trauma after becoming victlms of modern-day slavery, torture, 8ender- based violence, persecution or fleein8 war-tom countries. For this 3500. we take a holistlc approach when assessin8 Suitability for the programme. considerin8 people's wider circumstsnces rather than focusing 501ely on a sin8le le8al cate80ry. This complexity includes people fleeing domestlc violence who are unable to provide formal evidence for their asylum claims. suNlvors of trafficklng and modem slavery who must navigate alternative legal routes under the Modern Slavery Act, and people who have built Ilves in the UK but later lose their legal status, placlng them in a particularly vulnerable position when thls intersects with other challenges such a5 soclal Isolation and economlc hardship. Our pro8ramme Is open to people seeking asylum, those who have been granted refugee status. and 'unsettled' mlgrants who experlence intersectln8 forms of vulrberability related to their legal 5tstus. and/or their abillty to Integrate in the UK. From over eight years of workin8 closely w5th our chefs. we know that it 5s often dlfficult to place people neatly Into immigration 5tstus categ¢)rie5. The UK immigration system creates complex and shifting sltuatlons. with Indlviduals frequently movin8 between diffent legal 5tstU5es over time. Our data reflects this diversity. At the polnt of joinln8 Migrateful. 35% of our chefs had refugee status, 35% we seeklng asylum. and the remalnlng 30% fell into this 'otherf category. 15
"People seeking asylum receive just £49.18 per week in asylum support and those awaiting the outcome of other immigration applications are not eligible to access public funds at all." (Gov UK). 16
In many cases. chefs who are seekin8 Mlgrateful helps to lay the foundations asylum or have a pendin8 immigratlon for longer-term economlc indeperKlence clalm are not permitted to work People and social Inte8raticm. However, 8alnin8 seeking asylum receive just £49.18 per the right to work does not in Itself remove week (GolllSu[00L> In asylum all barriers to Inte8ratlon. Many of our support and those awaiting the outcome chefs arrive in the UK with high levels of of other Immi8ratlon applications are not qualificatlons and substantial professlonal ellgible to access public funds at all. experience from thelr home countrles, yet still face slgnificant challenges accessin8 employment, sometimes even after many year& As a resulL these groups are at the highest risk of destitution. with no means to support themselves and very limited, or r. government assistance. For chefs in Common barrlers include difficulties thls situation, we provide a weekly having qualifications recognised, a lack of financial 501idarlty Support payment to UK work refences, gaps in employment help cover basic livln8 Costs. caused by the asylum process, and slow or complex le8al and bureaucratic systems that leave people waiting for essential documentstion. We also know that there are far fewer opportunities and sources of support available to these groups, and it is well documented that prolonged exclusion from the labour market has long-term negative effects on integration. Alongside the experience of upheaval and displacement. these intersecting soci economic barriers can continue to limit opportunities and delay meaningful integration. By offering training. work experience and supportive pathway into paid employment. 17
I If,RATEFU What We Offer Chefs 18
Initial Intensive Training Our initlal 16-week programme prepares Mlgrateful chefs-in- trainin8 to teach Migrateful cookery classes to the general public. The training covers public speaking skills, storytelling and food safety. and chefs work with their mentors to test recipes and develop a 5CriPt and plan for the class. Durlng thi5 time. chefs practice speaklng English. enhance their culinary expertise, hone professlonal skills such as time management and leadership. and gain familiarlty with the expectations in a British workplace. Between May and September 2025, we trained 14 chets across London and Bristol and developed 89 recipes with the support of 11 volunteer mentors (we've trained 147 chefs in total slnce 201711. For our London cohort, we had over 60 applicatlons. accepting 12 trainees onto the course to begin a two-to-three year Journey of trainin8. teachlng, and on8olng support. In London. we have been tralnln8 a cohort of 12 chets every year since 2021. befo which we trained chefs on a rolling basis. In our regional sites. such as Brlstol. we have adapted our model to suit the local context. For example, In FY24125 In Brlstol, we trained two chefs in 3 rn0 condensed format rather than a fvll cohort to match the l¢)wer (but growlng!) demand for classes In the city. 19
Teaching Opportunities In FY 24125. we offered 4.638 hours of meanlngful UK work experience, or paid work for those with the right to work. Teachln8 the cookery classes helps chefs to bulld their confidence, Improve thelr En8llsh and decaSe soclal Isolation. For our chets barred from workln8 whlle awaltlng a declslon on thelr Imml8ratlon case. the opportunlty to teach classes offers Structure, purpose and connection at a tlme when they are unable to fvlly partlclpate In soclety due to the work ban. Community Events DurSn8 FY 24125. we held 51x communlty soclals (across London and Brlstol). whlch a valuable occaslons In the year for chefs to come together to cook arKI share food. These events offer a chance for chefs to reconnect wlth thelr cohort once the Inltlal tralnln8 perlod comes to an efKI and they stsrt teachln8 thelr own classes, lyjt also to meet and soclallse with chefs from other cohorts. staff and volunteers. Many alumnl chets continue to joln these events even several years after they graduate from the programme. 20
I:1 Support and Signposting Throughout thelr lourney with us. we provlde chets wlth holistic pastoral support to bulld social, professlonal and wider support networks. Our Chef Support Officer. Elizabeth, works one-to-one with each chef to connect them with relevant employment, training and educatlonal opportunltles and wellbeln8 resources, Includlng le831 advice and other support services. In FY 24125, as well as regular sl8npDstln8 to our wlder chef communlty. we dSrectly ferd and connected 22 chefs to paid work opportunities, with organlsations such as UBS. Our Second Home and OrganlcLea, 14 to further trainlng and 13 to mentorln& advice or other support services. Some hl8hli8hts across these dlfferent areas Include: two chets securing tralnlng placements at Selfrldges, four chefs enrolling at the Hotel Sch¢)ol, four chets accessin8 buslness mentorin8 schemes, the accessing Brltlsh Red Cross servlces and one successfully applyin8 for a Sanctuary Scholarshlp. 21
What Our Chefs Gain Our chefs brlng d5fferent talents and strengths, and each has thelr own goals for self-development. Over the last 8 years. we have identified the key areas of impact that chefs are likely to experience in our programme, with each chef havin8 different priority areas and rates of change. % chefs rnported chy Incrnasod ¢Mfldonce 9S%1381 Increased Wellbe 95x138) We asked chefs about thelr experience on the programme using a survey that asked them to compare how they felt in each area before jolning Migrateful and how they feel currently. by selecting a number on two scales 1-10. The survey was completed by 38 of the chets that we supported durlng FY 24125 (who a at varyin8 sts8es of the programme). The table on the rl8ht shows the percents8e of respondents who reported a positive change In the key Impact areas (levant to each chef). The number of respondents Is Indicated In bracket5 for each impact aa. Increased sense ol bekn8kn8 In thv UK 95%138) InCsed cMi3dence %pe•kln8 Engllsh 94x136) Iweased ablkty to overcom• lonellness nd1501•11 92%1371 Iread ablllty to flnd work (fth m$pthts tNIth the rlght to T•voik") 86%128) IrKreased abillty to access adwke and 83% (36) 'Of the respondents that are not Included In thls dota as thelr Immigration status does not pern7it wo. 5 out of 6 told us they would leel more ready and able to find work once they are granted the rlsht to work. Improved overall flrt*Klal sltuallon 83% (36) IKreased ablllty to find volteerIng or 70X (34) 22
AvLYa8e Score Before "Migrateful reminded me that if one dream ends you can always build a new one. If one door closes, life does open a new path." Aisha [alias], South Asia • Average Score Now ConfKlenc¢ 8.53 Wellbeln8 4.79 8.50 Sense of belon8ln8 4.45 8.53 C<)nfide¢ speakln8 En811sh 4.61 8.47 Ablllty to overcome lonelln•ss and Isolatlon 4.51 8.32 Ablllty to find pabd work 3.82 7.50 Ablllty to access advlce and support 4.78 8.03 Improved fin•nclal situatlon 6.97 The graph on the left compares the average sco5 (1-101 for chefs in each key impact area before they joined Migrateful and how they feel currently. since bein8 part of the pro8ramme. Volunteerin8 and educational opportunitie5 7.91 10 23
Chef Impact In Words hen I speak In public. It has given me the confidence to express myself. I can now share my ideas with people who live he, and I can tell them that I have a dream to create somethlng Sn the world of f¢)od.' Judlth. Mlgrateful chef from Ecuador Desulbe In 3 words you were feellng before VI ]olned Mlgrateful Descrlbe In 3 words how you ¥e feelln8 now Isolated. uncertaln, cautlou5 CMfklenL connectrt hopeful 'Before lolnln8 Migratelul, I sornetimes felt Isolated desplte my professSon31 experience as a restaurant owner and team leader, because I was not fully connected to the local communlty. Since joinin8 Mi8rateful. I have had many opportunities to socialise. meet other chefs. volunteers, and partlclpants. and share my culture and skills. These interactions have greatly reduced feelings of isolation and made me feel more included, supported. and part of a community.. Hanl. Migrateful chef from Oman L05L shattered, lack of conflderbce ConlidenL independenL can See a path Hopeles% unsale and kx*ty Optlmlslk. safe and settled I'rn not enough. my ability Is useless Hundreds of people know me.11 I want to, Is a way .1 feel valued arKI capable when I'm at Migrateful, I feel like I'm among famlly and that I Iruly live Sn the United Kingdom." Amal. Migrateful chef from E8yPt Losw control. lackln8 SnteresL lost Hopeful. optlmlstlc. Joy Hopeless, depressed and unsure Empowefed. sUPPOrted, Insplred 'After joining Migrateful, I don't only have more confidence in lookin8 for a paid job but it also helped to build solid local working experience which helps me to find work" Celia. Migrateful Graduate from Hon8 Kong 24
l• 14 Vi What We Offer Class Participants 25
Members of the public who Joln our cookery classes get the chance to learn authentlc reclpes from around the world. In FY 24125 alone. we have offed 32 diverse cuisines. Our classes offer a unique collaboratlve and social cooking experience makin8 them perfect for team bulldin8 and company yxial activities a5 well as celebrations such as blrthdays and hen p3rt1es. Our model is based on psychologist Gordon Allport's well. validated contact theory (set out In hi5 book The Nature of Prejudlce,. 1954). which sets out the condltions under which Intergroup contact between mar8lrk311sed and host communlties can successfully reduce prejudice. Mi8rateful's classes are designed to meet these corKlition5 and promote posltlve contacL People from dlffefent back8rounds come tO8ether, Ostensibly to leam to cook, but In doln8 $0, stereotypes are challenged: the migrant is leading the class, partlc5pants cooperate by sharing tasks In preparing the meal. and the Intimate settln8 enables personal storles to emerge. Independent research (Patol,AQ22) tested these assumptions withln Migrateful classes and found that the opportunity to have direct, personal contact wlth migrants through the cookery classes has a deeply humanislng effect, and Importantty leads to measurable shlfts in attitude5 and behaviour, 26
In FY 24/25, we ran 773 classes, bringing us to a total of 5,207 from July 2017 to September 2025 27
Participant Surveys Av. for all partl¢lpant types comblned Type of parU(Ipant colate class P3rtklpants Publk dass partklpants In FY 24125. we welcomed 9.257 participants to our cookery classes. reachln8 a total of 60,786 people between Mi8rateful startin8 in July 2017 and September 2025. % of respondents reportlng Increased knowledge aljout rn18rants' sltuatlan after the class 40% 42% After each class, we ask particlpants to complete feedback surveys. which include questions on how their experience may have changed their knowledge about mi8rants' sltuatlons and attitudes towards mi8ration. The table on the right shows survey sponses from 488 participants who attended a class durin8 the reporting year. % of spondefits report5n8 warn*r attltud¢s to mi8rants aftLY the class 24% 18% 20% 28
What This Data Tells Us In the field of behavioral psychology, an Intervention would be considered "hi8hlv successful. If it changed behavlour In the tsrget group by 5-7% (EoDtL&LLI 2Ql8). Whlle thls may appear small. Research (5£hM,QI2) on when dellvered at scale, such contact theory suggests that attitude InteThentions can brin8 about signlflcant change can spad to friends and family soclal change. through social networks. Applying this multipller effect (x by 31, the positive Impact of Migrateful classes In the porting perlod could plausibly extend to around 36.000 people through particSpants' wider social networks, demonstrating how relatively small shift5 at an Sndlvidual level can contribute to wider societal change. Importantly, the Impact of Migrateful classes 15 likely to extend beyond those who attend the classes themselves. Taklng the average from th15 year. 20% of particlpants report a posltlve change In their attitudes towards migrants after attendin8 a cookery class. Based on behavioural science standards. this presents a very stron8 Outcome. In real terms. this equates to around 12,IXM) people <20% of approximately 60.OCK) participants) reportin8 warmer attitudes towards mi8rants as a direct $It of thelr experience. 29
"The chef had a wonderful energy about her, she played her music and danced in the class. She spoke so confidently about her culture and the food. Although I wasn't there at the start of her journey, I felt like I could see her growth." Class Participant 30
Who Are Our Participants? In social cohesion policy tems, Migrateful classes are well su5ted to reaching the 'b3lancer mlddle. (BolfL.2022). The balancer mlddle makes up around 50% of the Brltish public: they are not completely agalnst mi8ratlon but want falr rules which do not simply let everyone In. They sit between ml8ratlon sceptics. who are strongly agalnst mlgration, and mlgratlon Ilberals who are broadly pro-migratlon. Yf f", *' After attendin8 a Mlgrateful cookery class and experienclng posit5ve contact with a ml8rant. particlpants from the balancer middle are expected to feel less worried about the Idea of ml8rant5 comin8 to the UK. and therefore less supportive of IK•Stile pollcSes towards mlgrants. This is because the balancer middle is open to ne8Otiation about what a fair approach to migration consists of. and Is thef0 rn0 CeptiVe to new positSve information about mi8rants which can dispel forn)er mlsconceptions. 31
"The chef was an excellent host. l admired her bravery in sharing her personal circumstances and we were all deeply affected by this. Frhe conversation in the class] reinforced how the chef must feel as a refugee in England and how inspirational she is in her positivity and faith that she will settle here, as well as look after family [back home]." Class Participant 32
Independent research conducted In 2021 IPaLeJUQ22) fourKI that Migrateful classes naturally appeal to those from the balancer middle, reachin8 beyond groups who are primarlly interested Sn 5UPPOrtln8 migrants. Classes are often attended by people who slmply wlsh to learn about new cuisines, or who were gifted a class voucher by a friend or family member. Gift vouchers are frequently 8lven inter8eneratlonally, for example, by youn8 people purchasing them for pantS helping to brln8 a broader and rn0 dlverse demographlc Into our classe5. In the portin8 year. over a quarter of public class particlpants were atterKlin8 usln8 3 81ft voucher. participants attending a class thos year. as demonstrated by lar8er proportions reportin8 a chan8e In attitudes (24% versus 18%) and increased knowledge {48% versu5 40%) after their class compared with those attendin8 public classes. Taken tO8ether, this evidence shows that Ml8rateful's cookery classes are not only effective at shlftlng attitudes. but are doing so among audlences where change matters most. By reaching the balancer middle, attracting partlcipants who do not self- select on the basis of pro-mlgration views. and leveraging social networks throu8h a multiplier effect. our model is 8eneratln8 Impact at scale and contributlng to meanlngful shifts In public narratives around migration. Our corporate classes a150 bring in participants who have not actively chosen to attend themselve5 but are requId to do so as part of a work event. Notably, the potentlal for attitude shift appears h58her amon8 corporate participants, who rnade up approximately a third of all 33
Our Volunteers 34
Migrateful also engages members of the public through volunteerin8 opportunltles. Our cookery dasses would not be possible without the incredible support of volunteers, who play a vital role In community-bulldlng and in creating the Inclusive, respectful and celebratory atmosphere of each class. Chefs consistently report that their connections and interactions with volunteers contrSbute to Stronger feelin8S of belonglng in the UK. Some are motivated by personal experiences of migration or displacement. "I started volunteerins when I was not working. This gove me something productlve ond meonin8ful but also an opportunlty to 5UPPOrt migrants and refugees. I really enjoy meetin8 the chets and portlcipants from different cultures and eatin8 different food5." As well as supportlng our classes volunteers also contribute to our Chef Trainin8 Pro8ramme as mentors, workin8 one-to-one with chefs, during the Inltial th-rnonth tralnin8 perlod, to test and write cIpeS and help capture thelr storles. Our cookery classes In FY 24125 were supported by 919 volunteers, completin8 over 12,(XK) hours of volunteerln8. Between July 2017 and Sept 2025, we have worked with 2.794 volunteers. Our volunteers offer their tlme for many diffent reasons, Includlng wantin8 to support our misslon, to meet new people from dlfferent background5 or to learn about diffent cultures and cuisine 35
"It was a fabulous and worthwhile learning experience for me, especially to witness the growth in confidence and ownership of the classes by the trainees over three months." Volunteer Mentor 36
Volunteer Impact Volunteers make a vltal contrlbutlon to our mlsslon. but we often hear how much they also 8aln from the experience themselves. Thls year, we wanted to try to bulld a better urKlerstsndin8 of how our work may Impact volunteers, developln8 a survey to share wlth a sample of volunteers. We hope to use these Insl8htS to desl8n ways to measure Impact for our volunteers in future. For the survey, we selected a group of 239 volunteers who met the followin8 criteria: volunteered at a cookery class durin8 the portlng perlod but had also Jolned S or more classes. assuming that the measurable Impact of volunteering might not occur from participating in a single session. We received 35 sponses. The most commonly reported chan8es experienced were: 89% Felt happler or reported itnproved wellbein8 83% Better understsnding of diffent cultures 74% Increased contact with people from dlfferent backgrounds 37
Volunteerin8 In classes has been a great way to give me regulor exposure to a wide variety of (often very nice) people. which has helped me feel less isolated. reduce my social anxiety and be more confthnt interacting with other5 in seneral. l alx) love cooking and have greatly appreciated learning more about food from under. represented cuislnes and expandin8 my repertoire of reclpes. And of courx meetlns chefs from a very wide vorlety of b(Kk8rounds I'd othe1$e pmbably never be exposed to, leamin8 about their lfve& culture and food." Not only do volunteers help to make our cookery classes POS51ble but there 55 aly) the potential for our volunteers to experience change In their perceptions about mi8ratSon through posltlve contsct wSth chets. In the survey. 83% of volunteers reported that they gained knowledge about ml8ratlon and 37% reported that they developed warmer attltudes to refugees and migrants through thelr Involvement at Migrateful classes. Tr chef was describing the mountalns and Idndscapes of her home In Iran and became emotional. Everyone In the room could ftel it - the sense of grief. the weight of what She had left behind. It wos incredibty movln8. And that s the beouty of Migratefvl.. It offer5 o space fvr chets to be seen not just as misronts, but a5 people - fvll of memories, strength, ond 8enemsity.' 38
Life After Migrateful 31-. 39
In FY 24125. we held two graduation delighted when our chets go on to ceremonie5 in London and Bristol. where achieve 3mazin8 things. Thi5 year has 22 chefs graduated Into our alumni seen various successes with several community. These events a a very members of graduating chefs securing Signif icant milestone. celebratin8 chets, employment and further trainin8 in achlevements on the pro8ramme and diverse fleld5, including two chefs 80in8 thanking them for thelr contrlbut5ons to on to study Nursing degrees and another Migrateful. Once chef5 become alumnl. graduating from a Social Work Masters, they remain part of the Mi8rateful family one startin8 a job as a Teachin8 Assistsnt by attendin8 our communlty soclals, and and another as a ca. continue to share relevant employmenc tralnlng and sUPPOrt opportunities with them. Many of our chets 8ain employment in the food and hospitality sector or 80 on to set up their own businesse5, whkh we a so happy to see 8oln8 from Stn8th to stren8th. These achSevements demonstrate the valuable and meaningful contributions that our chets can. artrd want to make to UK soclety once they are able to regularise thelr status. 4¢. Of chefs that have 8raduated from the programme in the reportlng year land have the rl8ht to work), 86% have gone onto employment or education after leavlng Migrateful. Those not currently In work or education are c3rSn8 for dependents or deallng wlth long-ten health is5ue& Hear from four of our chefs aljout thelr experlence of the pro8ramme. Ml8rateful Is a steppin8 Stone in each chef's joumey to fuller integratlon, and $0 we are
Meet Migrateful Chef Tamika Tamlka, a chef from Jamalca, jolned Mlgrateful In 2022 followlng over 20 years of insecure Immigratlon status and an extremely dlfflcult time of uncertainty, .1 was goin8 through a depresslon, the lowest po5nt Fn my Ilfe. I had lost hope. I wasn't allowed to work or study and couldn't access any financial support. I had too much time to thlnk. negativity tskes over, the was no fulfilment. I felt empty. My support worker was lookin8 for actlvities and found Mi8rateful as she knew I liked cookin8 and bakin8.' Jolnln8 the tralnlng pro8ramme felt Ilke a 'safe space". 'It helped to late to others In a slmllar situatSon. we could go through It tO8ether, and I felt comfortable expressln8 how I was feelin&. Gradually, week by week of the training, thlngs stsrted to chan8e. .1 stru88led to 8et out of bed. feellng unmotivated, but somethln8 was pullln8 to go, encoura8in8 me.. 41
"I really enjoy my classes, the atmosphere and the chemistry between people who have never met before - it feels like family and always a good energy. I feel happy and proud of myself after each class, that's why l always show up, no matter what else is going on in my life - it's my happy place." Tamika 42
Tamlka found the training transformative. gettlng to learn all about cultures from different countrie5 and build connectiOn5: .1 connected with everyone in the group, and all the stsff made me feel comfortable and showed they care. I found enjoyment again. My wellbeing and mental health Improved immensely. and I started to feel MO open and comfortable around people.. (kne of the bl88est chan8es she notlced was her publlc speakSn8, .1 used to feel awkward meetln8 Strangers. but now when I meet new people I feel much rn0 confident.. tside of classes, Tamika descrlbes the Impact of the holistlc support provlded by Ml8rateful's Chef Support Offlcer. 'Ellzabeth has always been there supportin8 me. checklng In, encouraging arKI motivating me to feel hopeful in every aspect of my life. It made such a difference.. Mi8rateful also connected Tamika wlth work experlence in a bakery. While she wa5 Waiting for her right to work to be 8ranted. Tamlka taught regular cookery classes. 8ainin8 work experience. 43
In 2023, the Home Offlce granted her leave to remaln bLrt Immediately retracted saylng 5t was a mistake and she was never 8iven her documents. It took almost another two years to challenge thls retraction, an error made by the Home Office with devaststin8 real1Sfe cOnsequens. 11 £¢9 Durln8 thls tlme. she described how 'Mi8rateful 8ives you hope you see the other chets that came before. and their success and storfes,1Ske openln8 thelr own l)uslness". Finally, in 2025, she was granted her immigration statu5 and with it the right to work. She applied for a lob at a restaurant in her local area and usin8 the experlence and food hyglene qualification 8ained at Migrateful. secured a full-time positlon. Tamlka t¢)ok part In a graduation ceremony wlth her fellow cohort in July 2025, but Is also continuin8 to teach classes with Mi8rateful (we offer chets the opportunity to be pald to teach cookery classes for up to one year after they are granted the rS8ht to work.) 1411 Describing how She feels about life in the UK now. .1 feel hopeful and like I finally have opportunities. l am currently saving money so that I can open my own restaurant one day:.
Meet Migrateful Graduate Halima Halima, a Nigerian chef, joined Migrateful's Chef Training Programme In 2022 at a time of bein8 Stuck in limbo, waitin8 for the outcome of her asylum applicatlon. .1 was livln8 With my son, and we felt very Isolated wlthout any other famlly or support network In the UK or opportunities to sociali5e'. Wlthout the rl8ht to work. she was unable to access employment. despite a strong professional background In Human Resources. She describes feelin8 "Hopeless. depressed and unsure.. Il I "Mlgrateful offed me an opportunlty to loln a communlty and to no longer feel alone in what I was goin8 through. I looked forward to training days a5 the only social contact I was having and an envlronment Whe you can make connections that are hard to make in everyday life.. Through Mlgrateful's Inltial trainlng pro8ramme, Hallma felt a 'deep support. and built 'confidence, motivation and a sense of belongin8' alon8 With teachin8, leadership and publlc speaking skills. She then taught regular cookery classes 8ainin8 UK work experience and positlve contact wlth members of the public. 45
"The experience of being a Migrateful chef, it built me." Halima 46
Migrateful also supported Halima to acce55 volunteefins opportunities in London, including Oxfam and the Tower Hamlets Carers Centre. allowin8 her to further develop skills confidence and networks. At fir5L she was discoura8ed by some unsuccessful applications, but she then applied for a vacancy at Migrateful. Recognising the profe55i0nal experience she had built before having to leave her country and the talent she had aladY demonstrated in the chef tralning programme. Migrateful supported her to find the most Sultable role within the organlsatlon. starting In one positlon In July 2024 and then encouragin8 her to apply for different role in the corporate booking5 team. She was 8ranted asylum In late 2023, e flrst class I taught after bein8 granted my refugee Status. I went in wlth so much confidence and happiness and a bl8 smile. thinkSn8. now I can change the story I share In my classes! The participants We so happy for me. and they wanted to understand my experience. It felt reassurin8 to know that members of the public that come to the classes care about what I had been throu8h. I had tears of joy.. Migrateful was delighted to offer her this role in early 2025. Ha15ma feels very optlmistic about her future in the UK- 'Belng part of Mi8rateful has not only given me meanlngful paid work but also a sense of purpose arKI connection to a community I trulv value. I feel respected and validated and like the sky is my limit!. "I was then tranSferd to local authority emergency accommodation In completely different part of the city, which was another tlme of upheaval, so I paused teachlng untll I was settled. but meanwhlle I stsrted to l¢)ok for work.. 47
Meet Migrateful Graduate Kule Kule, a Srl Lankan chef, jolr the Mlgrateful chef pro8ramme In Brlstol In autumn 2021 followln8 18 years, stru88le within the Immi8ratlon system to secure hls leave to remaln, whlch had made Inte8ratlon extremely challen8in& He had always been a hlghly motlvated person worklng as a marketlng professional In hls country. but after a lon8 and dlfflcult perlod of uncertalnty In the UK, he had begun to lose hope. "Ever slnce I loined Mi8rateful. after a lon8 perlod of Isolation, I found a renewed sense of purpose. I stsrted reconnectlng wlth what I love most: cookln8, teachln8, and connectin8 wlth people.. Through the tralnlng, Kule explains: .1 redlscovered my confidence, skllls, experience and passion. Mi8rateful shaped me from an Intultive cook to an organised chef. It became the platform Whe my expertise was cOgnISed. It helped me reallse that my culture, my food stories. and my recipes are valuable and worth sharin8. It also 8ave me a way to reconnect with an important part of my 15fe that I had lost and deeply missed here Sn the UK.. 48 Hrtured: Kule's Katharfkal Puli Curry (aUbeIne curry)
"I'm extremely proud of myself. I was given plenty of opportunities to share my knowledge. I felt so supported, and each time my confidence grows. Migrateful changed my life, it was a positive and beautiful journey of growth." Kule 49
After completing Migrateful trainln& Kule taught gular cookery classe5 With Migrateful. He also secured a rote a5 Kitchen Coordlnator at a local charity, 8ristol Hospitality Networl where he could apply the skills he had gained from the tralning, such as planning events managlng and tralning volunteers developin8 and scalin8 up recipe dellvering food safety Induction& Pfoblem-solvln8 and teamwork. "I've made many connections through Migratefvl. Includin8 opportunities cooking demonstr3tlons for local charitie5, When I receive positive feedback and emalls full of praise. I know this w35 only posslble because of Migrateful.. Kule graduated from Migrateful in 2025. He now works full-tlme as a chef In a hotel alongslde hls role at Brlstol Hospitality Network, He also plans to expand his freelance work and establish his own caterlng company. most significant transformations for Kule was developin8 hls publlc speaklng skills. Through the trainlng, a workshop on practical techniques, and regular teaching. he gaIrd confidence speaking to dlverse audiences. "It's huge transformatlon," he says, leadln8 to Migrateful comMend1n8 him to speak and repsent the organisation on a panel. These ski115 have extended beyond Migrateful. Includlng presenting at meetin8$ and speaklng at several fundraising events attended by hundd5 of people. Pictured.. Clas5 Participants eating Kules &1 Lankon food 50
Meet Migrateful Chef Ada As a queef actlvlst and j¢)umalist, Ada was not safe In Turkey and was forced to leave behlnd their famlly, support networks and life they had bullt there. ArrNlng in the UK, they faced uncertsinty and isolation: "Before lolnin8 Migrateful. I was goin8 through a deep depresslon and felt completely lost. The day I started at Mi8r3teful, a blg Ilght tumed on In my heart. Migrateful Is not just a place whefe people cook: It'5 a Ilghthouse for those who have lost thelr way in the dark. For me. It's home.. Before flndln8 the pro8ramme In 2024. they felt anxlous about thelr future. However. through the trainlng and teachlng classes. their well-being has chan8ed completely. The trainlng transformed Ada's confidence: .1 now feel capable of tsking on challen8e5 and speaklng publicly. Cooklng had always been somethlng that brought me comfor( but I dldn't have the confidence to share It wlth others - l used to thlnk standln8 and speaking in front of a group was impossible. but now it brings me Joy and energy. I've learned to express myself, to connect with pe¢)ple from many dlfferent back8rounds. and to celebrate my culture with prlde." 11 51
"I feel grounded, supported, and surrounded by community. Migrateful gave me purpose when I needed it most, and it continues to remind me that healing can begin with something as simple as cooking and sharing food together." Ada 52
They also valued the opportunity to in Intervlews. After completing the practice English in a safe space without tralning. 18Ot my first paid position as judgement: "l used to be very nervous kitchen assistant at Age UK. From there. I about speakSn8 English, woffied about went on to work with Made In Hackney, making mistakes or not belng Luminary Bakery. and Wolves Lane understood, so I stayed quiet even when I Centre. Now I'm working as a community Wanted to say somethln8. But durlng the chef at Pulse and Pickle. a vegan café and training and cookery classes. speakln8 cultural space In East London and also with volunteers. guests, and other chefs, curatin8 community dinners for my queer slowly, It got easier, as the Migrateful community. Thanks to Migrateful. I now team was always patient and kind. have a meaningful career that combines Mi8rateful helped me flnd my voice In food, community. and creativity Engllsh, and that has opened many doors somethin8 l once thought was Just a in my personal and professional life. I dream." now even enjoy writin8 my own menus, emails. and workshop descriptions In English." Ada wlll graduate wlth the rest of thelr cohort In 2027 and Is focusing on bulldlng thelr caer. "Mi8rateful Before joinin8 the pro8ramme, they had completely transformed the way I see been unable to find paid work. "I had the myself and my future. Before. I was passion and creatlvity but lacked struggling wlth confidence arKI direction professlonal connectlons or UK Work I didn't believe In myself or my abilitle& experience.. Through Migrateful, But through Migrateful, I found "everythin8 started to chan8e." Ada was community and a space where I wa5 seen, able to develop and strengthen valued, and encouraged to 8row communication, leadershlp skills and helped me rebuild my Ilfe with purpose teachlng skills but also found 'the and joy.. confidence to apply for real jobs. build my CV and present myself professionally 53
Changing Narratives 54
Migrateful In The Media tside of their classes. we ampllfy the voices and experiences of Mi8rateful chets through press arKI media opportunlties, which offer a valuable counter-narrative to the negative portraya15 of migratlon often found In the mainstream medla. Between October 2024 and September 2025. Migrateful classes received natlonal coverage, including an Intenilew with Founder Jess and Iranian chef Ladan on the BBQS IbLHanoy and a mention in a Guat Our gift vouchers were spotlighted In 12uLLioaLs28It£ 8uid£ and ItsLGu. We were delighted to be featured in Refu8eLlY£okn, which was showcased at Glastonbury muslc festival in the summer. We are also incredibly grateful to have been endorsed by sever31 famous faces over the years, most recently by Hollywood actor Will Poulter, who collatjorated with us on 55
110 •d Growing Our Impact in Bristol 56
Following the success of Mlgrateful in London, plicatIng our model in other locatlons has been central to our strategy for 8rowin8 our impacL We stsrted tralnln8 chefs and running cookery classes In Brlstol in 2019, through partnerships wlth local communlty venues Coexist Community Kitchen. St Werburgh's Communlty Centre and the Mazi ProJecL As demand for our classes out8rew availability In pop-up spaces. the next step In expanding our model was openin8 a dedlcated Ml8rateful Cookery School. MIGRATEFUL In Aprll 2025. we signed a contract wlth Wlndmlll Hill Clty Fam to host our new Cookery School slte. Thanks to pro bono support from the architect firm AHMM. who also developed our London Cookery School, and the generosity of supporters through our crowdfundin8 campaign - which surpassed it5 targeL raising É22,715 from 275 supporters alon8slde contrlbutions from funders Includln8 The Clothworkers, FourKJation and The John James Foundation, we were able to brin8 the project to Ilfe. The result Is a new home for our Brlstol Mi8rateful famlly and powerful symbol of hope and belonging In a clty that has faced challenging moments in recent times, including anti.mi8ration protests, hl8hli8htlng why thls Initiative Is needed more than ever. The grand openln8 of the school in November 2025 generated Si8niflcant local publicity, arKI wlth a permanent cookery school now In pla. we are excited to see our operations and impact contlnue to grow In Bristol in the years ahead. 57
Organisational Progress PLANNED PRIORITIES FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD to encourage participants to take further action. such as en8a8lng with campaigns Ilke Lift the Ban, and planting the seeds for constnKtive conversatlons that reduce polarisatlon and 'them and us. thlnkin8. We also almed to explo how our model could be used wlth dIffent audiences and In areas of hi8her soclal tension. COOKEWt 1ST. 2017 In our last published annual accounts. we set out the followSn8 pr6orities focused on Sncreasln8 tjoth the breadth and depth of our ImpacL Iw In terms of breadth. we aimed to Increase In person class numbers in both London and Bristol (while PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS continulng to phase out online classes DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD due to reduced demand) Investlng in our marketing and sales team to In FY25, we made slgniflcant progress support that growth. A key prSority was in increaslng the breadth ol our working towards openin8 a dedicated Impact, We worked towards openin8 cookery school In Bristol to Increase our our flrst permanent cookery school In delivery capaclty. Bristol, securing an affordable lease at Windmill Hill City Farm and beginning the transfomation of the space into a fully equipped venue. This work was supported by the award-winnin8 architects AHMM. who generously provided their expertise. In terns of depth. we commltted to researching ways to enhance participant impact and strengthen how we measure our effectiveness. This included improving in-class messaging 58
Following the end of the pOrt5n8 perlod. the Bristol cookery school opened In November 2025. with early ljookings Indicating strong demand. We contlnued to grow our delivery, running 773 classes Includln8 699 In.person classes, arKI achIng 9,257 participants. We engaged 919 volunteers and supported 59 active chefs. Durin8 thi5 period, 22 chefs graduated from the programme, with 86% of those seeking work progres51ng into emplLryment or education. We St ngthened our flnancial sustainability through 8rowth In public class sales arKI corporate donations. By Improving our outreach strategy and Introducing new lead generation approaches. we increased our corporate upsell rate by 35% cornpad to the prevlous year, In March 2025, we recruited a new Marketing Officer, slgniflcantly strengthenin8 our dl8ltal presence and contributln8 to Increased class bookSn8s. We also receSved extensive reglonal and natlonal medla coverage, including featu5 in The Guardlan. the BBC Happy PodcasL Refugee Week's offlclal launch, and endorsements from hi8h-profile figures. Thls has played an important role in InC3$In8 awareness of Migrateful and supportln8 both fundraising and earned income. 59
Alongside this. we made important prO8$S In deepenin8 our impact. In February 2025. we commi55ioned Belon8 to undertake consultancy work to help us refine our cookery class model. Thelr report has provlded valuable Insights into improvin8 in-class messa8in8 and identifyin8 opportunities for 8rowth. In September 2025, we appointed an Impact Development Mana8er to lead work on stren8thenin8 our impact measurement Systems. reflnin8 facilitstlon arKI class deslgn. and VIeWIng the chef Soumey from recfultment through to graduatlon. Thls work is helpin8 to ensure that our growth Is underpinned by stron8 evldence and meaningful outcome5. . Illl
Oct 24 - Sept 25 Oct 23- Sept 24 July 17 - Sep 25 All Classes 773 744 5,207 In person classes 699 658 3,457 Online classes 74 86 1,750 Partlcipants 9.257 9,242 60,786 Culsine5 32 33 49 Volunteers 919 948 2.794 Chefs who completed training 14 (London 12, Bristol 2) 19 (London 12, 8ristol 7) 147 Actlve chefs 59 62 119 Chets 8raduated 22 13 % of graduated chets Ithose seeking work) who have 80ne onto employment or education 86% 85% 76% 61
While overall class volumes remained evidence-led impact for chets while broadly Stable year-on-year, this reflects a offering participants the chance to learn deliberate peri¢xl of consolidation and new skills, meet new people and engage strategic focus. In-person classes d1CtlY wlth migrants. Corporate team- Increased from 658 to 699. buildin8 classes also form a key part of demonstrating 8rowin8 demarKI for face- our delivery. to-face engagement and a strengthening of the organi5ation's core delivery model. In London, Whe the majorlty of our Importantly, this was achieved while delivery tskes place, we will focus on maintainln8 conslstent partlcipant 8rowln8 class volumes through expanded numbers (9,242 to 9,2571, Indlcating venue partnershlps and Incased sustained reach and contlnued public corporate engagement. en838emenL Taken tO8ether. these figures represent a resilient year in which Alon85ide Incre3sin8 the number of the organlsatlon strengthened Its co dasses, we wlll prlorltise maximlslng class offer and maintained Impact, laylng strong occupancy and the number of particlpants foundations for future growth and per session. ensuring we make the most expansion. effective use of each opportunlty to en8age. With a pem)anent cookery school now established In Bristol, we wlll bulld on this strong foundatlon by Increasing Our plans for the comlng year are to bulld class delivery and maxlmislng use of the on the progress made durin8 this space. This wlll enable us to run more reporting perlod by consolldating our classes at lower mar8lnal cost while ent Infrastructu Investments and contlnulng to develop Brlstol as a key hub transitionlng from capaclty-bulldin8 for Innovatlon and programme towards 5UStalnable Scale and deeper. development. Plans for the comlng year 62
We will continue to strengthen our partnering wlth Bedminster Down income Starn5 through the School to deliver cookery classes to development of our corporate offer and Year 9 pupils. These sessions w511 brin8 seasonal gift voucher campai8ns. refu8ee chefs into the classroom, alongside ongoing grant funding. to combining food, storytelling and support a more resilient and sustainable shared activity to support financial n)odel. understanding and positive contact. The pilot will be evaluated to assess its Buildlng on the appointment of our Impxt and feasibillty, with learning Impact Development Mana8er and the used to inforni potential expansion findings of the Belong pOrt. we wlll Into schools and other community and refine our class model and strengthen education settings. our monitoring and evaluation 5yStems. This will Include improvin8 how we measure changes In partlcipants, attitudes towards migrants and embeddln8 this learnin8 Into programme design and facilitatlon. In parallel. Insight5 from our review of the chef journey will infonn Improvements to trainin8 and supporL ensuring stron8 outcomes for chefs as we scale. We wlll also be8ln dellvery of a schools- based pilot pro8ramme In Bristol, 63
The trustees psent thelr report wlth the charlvs flnanclal statements for the period ended 30 September 2025. The trustees have adopted the provlsions of Accounting and Reportln8 by Charities: Ststement of Recommended Practice applicable to charlties preparlng thelr accounts in accordance wSth the Financlal Reportlng Standard appllcable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland {FRS 102) (Second Editlon effective 1st January 20191. 'i- I l Ll Ml8rateful Is a Charltable Incorporated Organlsatlon (CIO) reglstered wlth the Charlty Comm15slon (feglstered number 1180110). The 8overnln8 document Is a constltutlon dated 19th September 2018. Mi8rateful registered wlth the Charity Commlssion on 27th September 2018. These flnanclal ststements cover the year from 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
This Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements cover the 12-month period ended 30 September 2025.
Migrateful secured income of £1,220,624 during the year (2023/24: £1,038,046), an increase of 18% on the prior year.
Income comprised:
| ncome comprised: | ||
|---|---|---|
| INCOME | 2024/25 | 2023/24 |
| Cookery Class Income | £597,506 | £589,090 |
| Unredeemed Gift Voucher Income | £81,765 | £115,681 |
| Total Trading Income | £679,271 | £704,771 |
| Grants & Donations | £508,378 | £300,808 |
| Bank Interest | £32,975 | £32,467 |
| Total Income | £1,220,624 | £1,038,046 |
65
Income
Underlying income from cookery class increased by £8,416 to £597,506. However, income from unredeemed gift vouchers fell by £33,916 resulting in a fall in overall trading income of £25,500.
Whilst cookery class income growth appears modest (1.4%), this reflects a shift in income mix, with growth in public class income offsetting a modest decrease in (higher average price) corporate class income.
Grant and donation income increased significantly (£207,570) primarily due to an increase in corporate donations and individual donations (including the Crowdfunder campaign launched in support of the building of the Bristol Cookery School).
This growth enabled Migrateful to invest in the opening and operation of the Bristol Cookery School (opened in November 2025).
Expenditure
Total expenditure amounted to £1,014,525 (2023/24: £953,509), an increase of 6% on the previous year. This was mainly driven by higher support costs, including investment in marketing to support growth and future sustainability. As a result, Migrateful reported a surplus of £206,099 (2023/24: £84,537), comprising an unrestricted surplus of £180,688 and a restricted surplus of £25,411 (2023/24: unrestricted surplus of £70,038 and restricted surplus of £14,499).
A significant proportion of the surplus will be used to fund the cost of the Bristol Cookery School in FY25/26.
Reserves
Total reserves at 30 September 2025 were £839,677, comprising £119,470 in restricted funds and £720,207 in unrestricted funds (2023/24: £633,578, comprising £94,059 restricted and £539,519 unrestricted).
66
Of the unrestricted reserves, £112,901 was designated (2023/24: £100,801). This comprised:
-
£100,000 designated for Bristol Cookery School building and operational investment; and
-
£12,901 designated for London Cookery School fixed assets.
Fixed assets not covered by restricted or designated funds amounted to £32,722 (2023/24: £8,651). Hence free reserves at 30 September 2025 were £574,584 (2023/24: £430,067).
The trustees have set a reserves policy under which free reserves should be maintained within a range equivalent to four to six months of cash costs. For the year ended 30 September 2025, this equated to a target range of £422,749 to £634,124. At the year end, free reserves of £574,584 represented approximately 5.4 months of cash costs (2023/24: 5.6 months) and were therefore within the target range. The trustees consider this level of reserves to be appropriate, having regard to the charity’s operating model, levels of committed and uncommitted income, restricted funds, operational risks, and foreseeable investment needs.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
RISK STATEMENT
Risk management and uncertainties
Trustees hold ultimate responsibility for risk oversight and ensure risks are identified, assessed, and appropriately managed. Following a review in the year, the risk register was further developed to support a more comprehensive and structured approach to risk management. The trustees review the risk register, prepared by the Senior Management Team, every quarter. The Finance and Risk Committee provides additional scrutiny for finance-related risks.
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The principal risks and uncertainties identified by the trustees are strategic, operational, financial, reputational, and safeguarding
Our risk framework and processes enable us to monitor our key risks and ensure they are appropriately managed. Measures include:
-
A trustee-approved annual business plan and annual budget, linked to delivery priorities and impact outcomes.
-
Quarterly Board review of the risk register (including changes in likelihood/impact, new risks and emerging issues).
-
Finance and Risk Sub-Committee oversight of financial risk, reserves, cash flow and key financial controls.
-
Regular management reporting against KPIs (delivery, quality, safeguarding, people and financial performance).
-
Policies, procedures and training covering safeguarding, health & safety and data protection supported by incident reporting and learning reviews.
-
Business continuity arrangements for key operational dependencies (venues, systems and critical roles), including contingency planning and documented processes.
-
External scrutiny through independent examination/audit (as applicable) and periodic professional advice where required.
The trustees are satisfied that these arrangements are proportionate to the scale of the charity and support effective identification, monitoring and management of material risks.
Fundraising practices
We rely on public donations to help make our work possible and remain hugely grateful to the generosity and commitment of all our supporters for helping us to raise vital funds. We are committed to good fundraising practice and adhere to the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising practice. We champion the Fundraising Promise ensuring that our fundraising is legal, open, honest, and respectful.
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Structure, Governance and Management
Migrateful is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered with the Charity Commission on 27th September 2018. At the time of registration, activities were undertaken by Migrateful Ltd, a company limited by shares. All activities and assets were transferred to the charity on 1st April 2019. Migrateful Ltd was subsequently wound up. The founder, Jessica Thompson, became the Chief Executive of the charity. The governing body of the charity is the board of trustees, which comprises seven members. Trustees who served during the period and up to the date of signing these financial statements are:
-
Sara Zimmerman - Chair
-
Edin Basic
-
Wayne Holder
-
Paul Kane
-
Emily Miller
-
Netal Munoth
-
Neil Taylor
-
William Cardy - appointed 16th June 2025
-
Nicola Baker - resigned 26 January 2026
-
Mary Lavinia Locke - resigned 2 December 2025
-
Sayed Habib Sadat - resigned 24 March 2025
-
Isabel Passos Sachs - resigned 9 December 2024
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Decision-making
The trustees are responsible for overseeing the long term strategy and policies for the organisation and compliance with current legislation. In addition to the full board, Migrateful has a Finance and Risk Committee which advises the board on finance and risk issues, which is made up of board members and external advisors with financial expertise. Its terms of reference and performance are reviewed annually by the full board. Responsibility for day to day operations is delegated to the executive and staff team.
Safeguarding Policy
Migrateful is committed to safeguarding all those who come into contact with the charity through its work, including chefs, participants, volunteers, staff and members of the public. The trustees take safeguarding seriously and receive appropriate oversight and reporting on safeguarding matters. The charity maintains safeguarding policies and procedures, provides relevant training, and has processes for reporting, escalation and learning from incidents. Safeguarding forms part of the charity’s wider risk management framework and is kept under regular review.
During the year, the charity managed one safeguarding incident. The matter was addressed promptly in line with the charity’s safeguarding procedures, with immediate action taken to reduce any further risk. The incident was reported to the appropriate authorities and the trustees were informed. A report has been submitted to the Charity Commission.
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Trustee recruitment and training
The board regularly reviews the effectiveness, diversity and skills on the board and recruits as necessary to fill any gaps.
In recruiting new trustees, we particularly seek those with experience of displacement or of seeking refuge in the UK. We advertise the roles as widely as possible so as to attract candidates from a diverse pool. New recruits are provided with a full induction, including spending time with staff members and attending board meetings as observers so as to get a thorough understanding of both the organisation and the role before being appointed. Every trustee is appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the board of trustees.
Subsidiary undertakings
Migrateful does not have any subsidiary undertakings.
Staff
At the year end, Migrateful had 13.7 full-time equivalent (12 full-time and 2 part-time) members of staff. The charity also benefited from the support of more than 900 active volunteers who helped with the running of classes and training sessions. The trustees are deeply grateful for their contribution of time, skills and commitment.
The team also included 32 freelance facilitators who supported Migrateful chefs to deliver their cookery classes.
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Staff remuneration policy
Migrateful is an accredited Living Wage employer. We conduct regular benchmarking of our pay and benefits using external consultants to review if our roles are rewarded equitably, following the general principle of positioning the organisation at the median point in the market. Pay and benefits for the Executive Leadership are reviewed and decided by the Board of Trustees. Pay and benefits for all other staff is based on a pay scale set and approved by the Board and implemented by the Senior Management Team.
Statement of responsibilities of the trustees
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The Trustees have complied with s17(5) of Charities Act 2011 and have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit by the Charity Commission when exercising relevant powers or duties.
Auditors
Godfrey Wilson Limited were appointed as auditors to the charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.
Trustee on behalf of the board of trustees:
……………………………………………
Sara Zimmerman
Chair of Trustees
Date : 10 June 2026
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Independent auditors' report
To the trustees of
Migrateful
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Migrateful (the 'charity') for the year ended 30 September 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, balance sheet, statement of cash flows and the related notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
-
give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 30 September 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;
-
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
▪have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and the provisions available for small entities, in the circumstances set out in note 9 to the financial statements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
74
Independent auditors' report
To the trustees of
Migrateful
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
the information given in the trustees’ report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
-
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
-
▪ the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or ▪ we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of the trustees
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out in the trustees’ report, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been reappointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The procedures we carried out and the extent to which they are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, are detailed below:
75
Independent auditors' report
To the trustees of
Migrateful
(1) We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, and assessed the risk of non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Throughout the audit, we remained alert to possible indications of non-compliance.
-
(2) We reviewed the charity’s policies and procedures in relation to:
-
Identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations, and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
-
Detecting and responding to the risk of fraud, and whether they were aware of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; and
-
Designing and implementing internal controls to mitigate the risk of non-compliance with laws and regulations, including fraud.
(3) We inspected the minutes of trustee meetings.
(4) We enquired about any non-routine communication with regulators and reviewed any reports made to them.
(5) We reviewed the financial statement disclosures and assessed their compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
(6) We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected transactions or balances that may indicate a risk of material fraud or error.
(7) We assessed the risk of fraud through management override of controls and carried out procedures to address this risk. Our procedures included:
-
▪Testing the appropriateness of journal entries;
-
▪Assessing judgements and accounting estimates for potential bias;
-
▪Reviewing related party transactions; and
-
▪Testing transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. Irregularities that arise due to fraud can be even harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
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Migrateful
Independent auditors' report
To the trustees of
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charityʼs trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charityʼs trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditorʼs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charityʼs trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Godfrey Wilson Limited
Date: 16 June 2026
GODFREY WILSON LIMITED
Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD
Godfrey Wilson Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
77
Migrateful
Statement of financial activities
For the year ended 30 September 2025
| Restricted Unrestricted Note £ £ Income from: Donations 3 201,717 306,661 Charitable activities 4 - 665,976 Other trading income 5 - 13,295 Investments 6 - 32,975 Total income 201,717 1,018,907 Expenditure on: Raising funds 19,939 60,149 Charitable activities Cookery classes 49,633 600,420 Chef training 63,157 124,900 Chef support 43,577 49,311 Evaluation and research - 3,439 Total expenditure 8 176,306 838,219 Net income and net movement in funds 9 25,411 180,688 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 94,059 539,519 Total funds carried forward 119,470 720,207 |
2025 Total £ 508,378 665,976 13,295 32,975 1,220,624 80,088 650,053 188,057 92,888 3,439 1,014,525 206,099 633,578 839,677 |
2024 Total £ 300,808 691,131 13,640 32,467 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,038,046 | ||
| 69,342 638,809 170,999 72,409 1,950 |
||
| 953,509 | ||
| 84,537 549,041 |
||
| 633,578 |
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 20 to the accounts.
78
Migrateful
Balance sheet
As at 30 September 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Intangible assets 13 Current assets Stock 14 Debtors 15 Current asset investments 16 Cash at bank and in hand Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year 17 Net current assets Net assets 19 Funds 20 Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Designated funds General funds Total charity funds |
£ 3,750 55,554 370,567 569,427 999,298 222,136 |
2025 £ 59,358 3,157 62,515 777,162 839,677 119,470 112,901 607,306 839,677 |
2024 £ 61,924 6,314 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68,238 - 46,084 105,106 640,217 |
|||
| 791,407 226,067 |
|||
| 565,340 | |||
| 633,578 | |||
| 94,059 100,801 438,718 |
|||
| 633,578 |
Approved by the trustees on 10 June 2026 and signed on their behalf by
Sara Zimmerman - Chair of Trustees
79
Migrateful
Statement of cash flows
For the year ended 30 September 2025
| Cash used in operating activities: Net movement in funds Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Amortisation charges Interest on investments Increase in stock Increase in debtors Decrease in creditors Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of tangible fixed assets Purchase of intangible assets Interest on investments Net cash provided by investing activities Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Cash and cash equivalents comprises: Current asset investments Cash at bank and in hand |
2025 £ 206,099 30,573 3,157 (32,975) (3,750) (8,576) (3,931) 190,597 (28,007) - 32,081 4,074 194,671 745,323 939,994 370,567 569,427 939,994 |
2024 £ 84,537 30,573 3,157 (32,467) - 111,644 (65,823) |
|---|---|---|
| 131,621 | ||
| - (6,909) 29,611 |
||
| 22,702 | ||
| 154,323 591,000 |
||
| 745,323 | ||
| 105,106 640,217 |
||
| 745,323 |
The charity has not provided an analysis of changes in net debt as it does not have any long term financing arrangements.
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For the year ended 30 September 2025
Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
1. Accounting policies a) General information and basis of preparation
Migrateful is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales. The registered office address is 40 Bowling Green Lane, London, EC1R 0NE.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Migrateful meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
b) Going concern basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
c) Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Income received in advance of provision of services, in the form of unredeemed gift vouchers, is deferred until criteria for income recognition are met.
Vouchers which are unredeemed one year after expiry (two years after purchase) are cancelled, with the deferred income released to income at that point.
d) Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity: this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
e) Funds accounting
Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.
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For the year ended 30 September 2025
Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
1. Accounting policies (continued)
f) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
g) Allocation of support and governance costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity, including the costs of complying with constitutional and statutory requirements and any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on the basis of staff costs as follows:
| ities on the basis of staff costs as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Raising funds | 13.1% | 11.9% |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Cookery classes | 53.6% | 58.9% |
| Chef training | 20.5% | 19.9% |
| Chef support | 12.9% | 9.3% |
| Evaluation and research | 0.0% | 0.0% |
h) Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:
Fixtures & fittings 5 years straight line basis Leasehold improvements 5 years straight line basis
Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000.
i) Intangible fixed assets
Website development expenditure is capitalised only if the expenditure can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically feasible, future economic benefits are probable and the charity intends to and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. Otherwise, it is recognised in the statement of financial activities as incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, product development is measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.
Amortisation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of intangible assets over the estimated period that economic benefit attributable to the asset is expected to flow to the charity. The amortisation rates in use are as follows:
Website development 3 years straight line basis
j) Stock
Stock, representing Migrateful aprons, is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value upon purchase. Stock is released to the Statement of Financial Activity when sold or used. At each report date, stocks are assessed for impairment.
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
1. Accounting policies (continued)
k) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
l) Current asset investments
Current asset investments consist of balances held on short term deposit in interest bearing accounts, with a maturity date between 3 and 12 months.
m) Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
n) Creditors
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
o) Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently recognised at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
p) Pension costs
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for its employees. There are no further liabilities other than that already recognised in the SOFA.
q) Accounting estimates and key judgements
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
The key sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are depreciation, amortisation, and deferred income as described in notes 1(h), 1(i), and 1(c) respectively above.
83
Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities
| Income from: Donations Charitable activities Other trading income Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Cookery classes Chef training Chef support Evaluation and research Total expenditure Net income and net movement in funds |
Restricted £ 171,958 - - - 171,958 9,985 62,112 71,359 14,003 - 157,459 14,499 |
2024 Total £ £ 128,850 300,808 691,131 691,131 13,640 13,640 32,467 32,467 866,088 1,038,046 59,357 69,342 576,697 638,809 99,640 170,999 58,406 72,409 1,950 1,950 796,050 953,509 70,038 84,537 Unrestricted |
|---|---|---|
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
3. Income from donations
| Donations Grants Total income from donations Prior period comparative Donations Grants Total income from donations |
Restricted £ 22,757 178,960 201,717 Restricted £ 25,808 146,150 171,958 |
£ 121,661 185,000 306,661 £ 20,850 108,000 128,850 Unrestricted Unrestricted |
2025 Total £ 144,418 363,960 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 508,378 | |||
| 2024 Total £ 46,658 254,150 |
|||
| 300,808 |
4. Income from charitable activities
| Cookery classes Cookery classes - in person Unredeemed gift vouchers Cookery classes - online Total income from charitable activities* |
2025 Total £ 572,916 81,765 11,295 665,976 |
2024 Total £ 559,087 115,681 16,363 |
|---|---|---|
| 691,131 |
*See accounting policy 1(c).
All income from charitable activities was unrestricted in the current and prior year.
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
5. Income from other trading income
| Income from other trading income | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cookery school drink sales Merchandise sales Total income from other income |
2025 Total £ 12,327 968 13,295 |
2024 Total £ 12,216 1,424 |
| 13,640 |
All other trading income was unrestricted in the current and prior period.
6. Income from investments
| Bank interest | 2025 Total £ 32,975 |
2024 Total £ 32,467 |
|---|---|---|
All income from investments was unrestricted in the current and prior period.
7. Government grants
The charity receives government grants, defined as funding from the London Borough of Islington to fund charitable activities. The total value of such grants in the period ending 30 September 2025 was £2,000 (2024: £4,590). There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants in 2025/26.
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
8. Total expenditure
| Total expenditure | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff costs (note 10) Fundraising costs Depreciation (note 12) Evaluation and research Food Chef costs Chef grants Facilitator costs Venue costs Other direct costs Equipment costs Staff related costs HR and recruitment Audit and accountancy Voucher and bank fees Web / IT costs Office costs Sub-total Allocation of support and governance costs Total expenditure |
Raising funds £ 52,154 462 - - - - - - - 132 - - - - - - - 52,748 27,340 80,088 |
Cookery classes £ 213,987 - 20,382 - 80,721 58,196 - 64,122 48,955 51,515 - - - - - - - 537,878 112,175 650,053 |
Chef training £ 96,787 - 10,191 - 6,882 - - 3,215 15,445 4,800 - - - - - - - 137,320 50,737 188,057 |
Chef support £ 51,149 - - - - - 14,925 - - - - - - - - - - 66,074 26,814 92,888 |
Evaluation and research £ - - - 3,439 - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3,439 - 3,439 |
Support and governance £ 136,187 - - - - - - - - - 662 7,603 4,144 28,709 1,641 10,407 27,713 217,066 (217,066) - |
2025 Total £ 550,264 462 30,573 3,439 87,603 58,196 14,925 67,337 64,400 56,447 662 7,603 4,144 28,709 1,641 10,407 27,713 |
| 1,014,525 - |
|||||||
| 1,014,525 |
Total governance costs were £10,800 (2024: £10,200)
87
Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
8. Total expenditure (continued) Prior period comparative
| Staff costs (note 10) Fundraising costs Depreciation (note 12) Evaluation and research Food Chef costs Chef grants Facilitator costs Venue costs Other direct costs Equipment costs Staff related costs HR and recruitment Audit and accountancy Volunteer costs Voucher and bank fees Web / IT costs Office costs Sub-total Allocation of support and governance costs Total expenditure |
Raising funds £ 46,370 475 - - - - - - - 1,623 - - - - - - - - 48,468 20,874 69,342 |
Cookery classes £ 228,722 - 20,382 - 72,674 54,876 - 54,775 41,519 62,899 - - - - - - - - 535,847 102,962 638,809 |
Chef training £ 77,335 - 10,191 - 11,370 - - 9,446 16,972 10,872 - - - - - - - - 136,186 34,813 170,999 |
Chef support £ 35,778 - - - - - 20,525 - - - - - - - - - - - 56,303 16,106 72,409 |
Evaluation and research £ - - - 1,950 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,950 - 1,950 |
Support and governance £ 102,135 - - - - - - - - - 920 5,625 1,550 27,233 1,202 2,854 8,145 25,091 174,755 (174,755) - |
2024 Total £ 490,340 475 30,573 1,950 84,044 54,876 20,525 64,221 58,491 75,394 920 5,625 1,550 27,233 1,202 2,854 8,145 25,091 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 953,509 - |
|||||||
| 953,509 |
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
9. Net movement in funds
This is stated after charging:
| Depreciation Amortisation Trustees' remuneration Trustees' reimbursed expenses Auditors' remuneration: Statutory audit (excluding VAT) |
2025 £ 30,573 3,157 Nil Nil 9,000 |
2024 £ 30,573 3,157 Nil Nil 8,500 |
|---|---|---|
In common with other charities of our size and nature we use our auditors to assist with the preparation of the financial statements.
10. Staff costs and numbers
Staff costs were as follows:
| Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs |
2025 £ 493,755 45,744 10,765 550,264 |
2024 £ 442,394 38,082 9,864 |
|---|---|---|
| 490,340 |
One employee earned between £60,000 - £70,000 during the current period (2024: none).
The key management personnel of the charity comprise the trustees, the CEO, and COFO (2024: the trustees and the co-CEOs). The total employee benefits of the key management personnel were £135,595 (2024: £117,228).
| Average head count FTE equivalent |
2025 No. 15.0 13.7 |
2024 No. 14.3 |
|---|---|---|
| 12.8 |
11. Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
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Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
12. Tangible fixed assets
| Fixtures & fittings £ £ Cost At 1 October 2024 142,303 10,561 Additions 25,172 2,835 At 30 September 2025 167,475 13,396 Depreciation At 1 October 2024 85,383 5,557 Charge for the year 28,461 2,112 At 30 September 2025 113,844 7,669 Net book value At 30 September 2025 53,631 2,892 At 30 September 2024 56,920 5,004 13. Intangible fixed assets Website development £ Cost At 1 October 2024 and at 30 September 2025 9,471 Amortisation At 1 October 2024 3,157 Charge for the year 3,157 At 30 September 2025 6,314 Net book value At 30 September 2025 3,157 At 30 September 2024 6,314 14. Stock 2025 £ Aprons 3,750 Leasehold improvements |
Total £ 152,864 28,007 |
|---|---|
| 180,871 | |
| 90,940 30,573 |
|
| 121,513 | |
| 59,358 | |
| 61,924 | |
| Total £ 9,471 |
|
| 3,157 3,157 |
|
| 6,314 | |
| 3,157 | |
| 6,314 | |
| 2024 £ - |
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Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
15. Debtors
| Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade debtors Prepayments Accrued income Other debtors |
2025 £ 11,221 10,507 32,866 960 55,554 |
2024 £ 19,642 11,795 14,647 - |
| 46,084 |
16. Current asset investments
| Short term deposits Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year Trade creditors Accruals Deferred income (see note 18) Other creditors |
2025 £ 370,567 2025 £ 9,477 26,117 184,446 2,096 222,136 |
2024 £ 105,106 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 £ 5,615 21,241 197,204 2,007 |
||
| 226,067 |
17. Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
18. Deferred income
| At 1 October Deferred during the year Released during the year At 30 September |
2025 £ 197,204 179,860 (192,618) 184,446 |
2024 £ 261,473 116,935 (181,204) |
|---|---|---|
| 197,204 |
Deferred income relates to payments for gift vouchers which are unredeemed as at 30 September 2025 and income in advance of corporate classes. During the year, Migrateful cancelled gift vouchers in accordance with its accounting policy (disclosed in note 1(c)), contributing income of £81,765 (2024: £115,681), included as income from charitable activities (note 4).
19. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Tangible fixed assets Intangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Net assets at 30 September 2025 Prior year comparative Tangible fixed assets Intangible fixed assets Current assets Current liabilities Net assets at 30 September 2024 |
£ 16,892 - 102,578 - 119,470 £ 33,786 - 60,273 - 94,059 Restricted funds Restricted funds |
£ 12,901 - 100,000 - 112,901 £ 25,801 - 75,000 - 100,801 Designated funds Designated funds |
£ 29,565 3,157 796,720 (222,136) 607,306 £ 2,337 6,314 656,134 (226,067) 438,718 General funds General funds |
Total funds £ 59,358 3,157 999,298 (222,136) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 839,677 | ||||
| Total funds £ 61,924 6,314 791,407 (226,067) |
||||
| 633,578 |
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
20. Movements in funds
| Movements in funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted funds Henry Smith Charity Garfield Weston Foundation Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder - Bristol Cookery School Construction Costs Paul Hamlyn Foundation The Rayne Foundation The National Lottery Fund - London Chef Training Local Initiatives Fund Local Giving The National Lottery Awards for All England Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder - Chef Training Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder - Other The Clothworker's Foundation London Cookery School Total restricted funds Designated funds: Bristol Cookery School London Cookery School Total designated funds General funds Total funds Total unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds |
At 1 October 2024 £ - 18,750 - 10,000 12,000 - - - 1,515 10,428 7,580 - 33,786 94,059 75,000 25,801 100,801 438,718 539,519 633,578 |
Income £ 60,000 45,000 22,715 20,000 20,000 19,960 2,000 42 - - - 12,000 - 201,717 - - - 1,018,907 1,018,907 1,220,624 |
£ (50,000) (48,750) - (20,000) (20,000) (6,342) (280) (42) (1,515) (10,428) (2,055) - (16,894) (176,306) - (12,900) (12,900) (825,319) (838,219) (1,014,525) Expenditure |
Transfers between funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25,000 - 25,000 (25,000) - - |
At 30 September 2025 £ 10,000 15,000 22,715 10,000 12,000 13,618 1,720 - - - 5,525 12,000 16,892 |
| 119,470 | |||||
| 100,000 12,901 |
|||||
| 112,901 | |||||
| 607,306 | |||||
| 720,207 | |||||
| 839,677 |
Purposes of restricted funds Henry Smith Charity
To fund chef training.
Garfield Weston Foundation
To fund core costs.
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
20. Movements in funds (continued)
Purposes of restricted funds (continued)
- Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder Bristol Cookery School Construction Costs To fund construction costs for the Bristol cookery School.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation
To fund London Staff costs through the neighbourhood grant programme.
The Rayne Foundation
To fund chef training in London.
- The National Lottery Fund London Chef Training
To fund chef training.
Local Initiatives Fund
To fund chef training in London. Engaging local community in classes to reduce isolation, increase community and connectedness.
Local Giving
To fund the solidarity grant programme to support chefs with financial need.
The National Lottery Awards for All England
To fund chef training in London.
- Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder Chef Training
To fund Migrateful chef Training.
Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder - Other
To fund free gift vouchers, the solidarity grant programme, recipe cards, and travel costs for chefs to attend training.
The Clothworker's Foundation
To cover the building costs of Bristol Cookery School.
London Cookery School
Represents the net book value of the cookery school fixed assets funded by a restricted grant.
Purposes of designated funds
London Cookery School
Represents the net book value of the designated portion of the cookery school fixed assets.
Bristol Cookery School
Funds set aside for the capital costs of the Bristol cookery school expected to be incurred in 25/26.
Transfers between funds
Represents the funds allocated for the Bristol Cookery School capital project continuing in 25/26.
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Migrateful
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 30 September 2025
| 20. Movements in funds (continued) Prior year comparative Restricted funds Garfield Weston Foundation Compass Group Foundation Paul Hamlyn Foundation The Rayne Foundation The National Lottery Awards for All England Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder - Chef Training Aviva Community Fund Crowdfunder - Other Quartet Community Local Initiatives Fund School for Social Entrepreneurs The Heinz, Anna & Carol Kroch Foundation London Cookery School Crucible Foundation Local Giving Total restricted funds Designated funds: Bristol Cookery School London Cookery School Total designated funds General funds Total funds Total unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds |
At 1 October 2023 £ - - - - - - - - - 2,666 - 50,680 26,214 - 79,560 - 38,701 38,701 430,780 469,481 549,041 |
Income £ 45,000 25,000 20,000 20,000 19,960 12,906 12,821 5,000 4,590 4,000 2,600 - - 81 171,958 - - - 866,088 866,088 1,038,046 |
£ (26,250) (25,000) (10,000) (8,000) (18,445) (2,478) (5,241) (5,000) (4,590) (6,666) (2,600) (16,894) (26,214) (81) (157,459) - (12,900) (12,900) (783,150) (796,050) (953,509) Expenditure |
Transfers between funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 75,000 - 75,000 (75,000) - - |
At 30 September 2024 £ 18,750 - 10,000 12,000 1,515 10,428 7,580 - - - - 33,786 - - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94,059 | |||||
| 75,000 25,801 |
|||||
| 100,801 | |||||
| 438,718 | |||||
| 539,519 | |||||
| 633,578 |
21. Related party transactions
Trustees made donations totalling £1,200 to the charity during the year (2024: £1,100).
95
COOKERY CLASS WWW.MIGRATE EST. 2017 MIGRATEFUL https://www.migrateful.org Migrateful 3rd Floor. Finsbury Business Centre 40 Bowling Green Lane. London, ECIR ONE hello@migrateful.org migratefuluk