AGM Board Annual Report 2026 - Revision history

Jacky: /* Media Report */

2026-09-08T19:52:12Z

Media Report

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:52, 8 September 2026
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	===Media Report===		===Media Report===

			Please follow this link and click on the file name in the page you next come to :
	[[File:Freegle Media Annual Report (Sept 2025–August 2026).pdf]]		[[File:Freegle Media Annual Report (Sept 2025–August 2026).pdf]]

Jacky at 19:48, 8 September 2026

2026-09-08T19:48:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:48, 8 September 2026
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	Jacky and Angelika		Jacky and Angelika

			===Media Report===

			[[File:Freegle Media Annual Report (Sept 2025–August 2026).pdf]]

	===Mentors Report to 31st July 2026===		===Mentors Report to 31st July 2026===

Jacky: /* Info Mailbox Team Report */

2026-08-28T14:55:48Z

Info Mailbox Team Report

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:55, 28 August 2026
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	===Info Mailbox Team Report===		===Info Mailbox Team Report===
	The vast majority of our work relates to donations to Freegle, as we send personal thanks to the kind members who commit to a regular monthly donation, cheque and bank transfers, and for all donations over £20.00. The generosity of our members is continuously surprising and gratifying. We wouldn't be able to thank them, though, if it wasn't for the tireless work that Edward and Jane do in generating and accounting for the donations.		The vast majority of our work relates to donations to Freegle, as we send personal thanks to the kind members who commit to a regular monthly donation, cheque and bank transfers, and for all donations over £20.00. The generosity of our members is continuously surprising and gratifying. We wouldn't be able to thank them, though, if it wasn't for the tireless work that Edward and Jane do in generating and accounting for the donations, and the Gift Aid team who sort out occasional stray gift aid forms.

	The rest of the work has slowed down over the years as others deal with different aspects of Freegle (Partnerships, Media, Support). We continue to have enquiries from external organisations who are looking for help and information, and a handful of complaints from local members - usually about local rules. These last ones are always sad to receive, time consuming and usually difficult. Any complaints that can't be smoothed over are passed onto the Ombudsman team.		The rest of the work has slowed down over the years as others deal with different aspects of Freegle (Partnerships, Media, Support). We continue to have enquiries from external organisations who are looking for help and information, and a handful of complaints from local members - usually about local rules. These last ones are always sad to receive, time consuming and usually difficult. Any complaints that can't be smoothed over are passed onto the Ombudsman team.

Jacky: /* Freegle Board Annual Report 2026 - Part 1 */

2026-08-23T09:03:12Z

Freegle Board Annual Report 2026 - Part 1

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:03, 23 August 2026
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	==Freegle Board Annual Report 2026 - Part 1==		==Freegle Board Annual Report 2026 - Part 1==

	~~To follow~~.		Please go to this link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZwUrp4NgD5Z-PE0zOcQUN2-UBUG_LBb6/view?usp=sharing

			If you can't access this link, please email returningofficer@ilovefreegle.org and ask for a copy.

	==Freegle Board Annual Report 2026 - Part 2 National Team Reports==		==Freegle Board Annual Report 2026 - Part 2 National Team Reports==

Jacky: /* Mentors Report to 31st July 2026 */

2026-08-22T18:37:56Z

Mentors Report to 31st July 2026

Jacky at 18:22, 22 August 2026

2026-08-22T18:22:23Z

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Jacky at 16:41, 22 August 2026

2026-08-22T16:41:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:41, 22 August 2026
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	===Social Media Team Report===		===Social Media Team Report===
	As we have removed support / reposting to Twitter (X), and cannot automatically post to Freegle groups on Facebook, I'm afraid there is no report from the Social Media group, as there's nothing currently to do! The only page that functions (unless individual groups are actively doing things locally) is the national page, which I believe is managed by ~~Kat~~		As we have removed support / reposting to Twitter (X), and cannot automatically post to Freegle groups on Facebook, I'm afraid there is no report from the Social Media group, as there's nothing currently to do! The only page that functions (unless individual groups are actively doing things locally) is the national page, which I believe is managed by Cat.

	Melissa		Melissa

			===Support Report===
			The major major changes of Freegle’s systems has affected Support too.

	~~Support Report~~
	~~The major major changes of Freegle’s systems has affected Support too.~~
	Some specifically help us to deal with problems from users and Mods, and we appreciate the simplification.		Some specifically help us to deal with problems from users and Mods, and we appreciate the simplification.

	Others, like the daily summary What’s New Digest caused a spurt of enquiries which seems to have settled as freeglers got used to them.		Others, like the daily summary What’s New Digest caused a spurt of enquiries which seems to have settled as freeglers got used to them.
	Rippling out of posts has still to reach this happy equilibrium
			Rippling out of posts has still to reach this happy equilibrium.

	None of them could have been achieved without Edward’s vision and the help of AI.		None of them could have been achieved without Edward’s vision and the help of AI.
	But so many users, with different motivations, hardware/software, computer literacy and experience are bound to flush out any bugs left by AI in the far corners of the system and this is reflected in the stats which Jacky has kindly sourced.		But so many users, with different motivations, hardware/software, computer literacy and experience are bound to flush out any bugs left by AI in the far corners of the system and this is reflected in the stats which Jacky has kindly sourced.
	We are changing the reporting year to the end of July - because the end of March was a long time ago, lots has changed since, and a report to the end of March would be rather out of date		We are changing the reporting year to the end of July - because the end of March was a long time ago, lots has changed since, and a report to the end of March would be rather out of date
	We have noticed an increase in technical and password issues and unsubscribes in particular		We have noticed an increase in technical and password issues and unsubscribes in particular.

	Last year		Last year
	1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025 - 1712 conversations		1st April 2024 - 31st March 2025 - 1712 conversations

	This year		This year
	1st April 2025 - 31st March 2026 - 1836 conversations		1st April 2025 - 31st March 2026 - 1836 conversations

	The last few months		The last few months
	1st April 2026 - 31st July 2026 - 1364 conversations		1st April 2026 - 31st July 2026 - 1364 conversations

	Of those,		Of those,
	Password requests/issues		*Password requests/issues
	1st April 2025 - 31st March 2026 : 61		1st April 2025 - 31st March 2026 : 61
	1st April 2026 - 31st July 2026 : 215		1st April 2026 - 31st July 2026 : 215
	Many influenced by changes to the app		Many influenced by changes to the app
	Unsubscribe problems/requests:		*Unsubscribe problems/requests:
	1st April 2025 - 31st March 2026 : 153		1st April 2025 - 31st March 2026 : 153
	1st April 2026 - 31st July 2026 : 137		1st April 2026 - 31st July 2026 : 137
	Not a lot, considering our large membership		Not a lot, considering our large membership


	Dee		Dee

			===Training Group Report===
	Training Group Report
	Since the last report prepared in March 2025, the Training Team		Since the last report prepared in March 2025, the Training Team
	has had 21 candidates for the programme. Of those, 11		has had 21 candidates for the programme. Of those, 11
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	the short term the Mentors team will have to pick up any changes to		the short term the Mentors team will have to pick up any changes to
	operating practices.		operating practices.

	Martin		Martin
	For the Freegle Training Team		For the Freegle Training Team

			===Trust Pilot Reviews===
			We had 6 reviews during the past year, all were answered. Two were 5* and complimentary.

			Of the others: <br>
			One 3 from a member having problems using the site; he was given appropriate advice.
			One 2 complaining at the number of time wasters and others not saying please and thank you.
			Two 1 - one complaining that he had been asked not to put his telephone number in his post and he considered this his prerogative; the other re our use of AI generated images.


	~~Trust Pilot Reviews~~
	~~We had 6 reviews during the past year, all were answered. Two were 5* and complimentary. Of the others:~~
	~~One 3* from a member having problems using the site; he was given appropriate advice.~~
	~~One 2* complaining at the number of time wasters and others not saying please and thank you.~~
	~~Two 1* - one complaining that he had been asked not to put his telephone number in his post and he considered this his prerogative; the other re our use of AI generated images.~~
	Jeni		Jeni

			===Wiki Team report===
	Wiki Team report
	The wiki continues to provide a depository of information that helps volunteers run their local groups and the national organisation. It also serves as a record of activities in various areas of work. Always open for ideas and suggestions, the wiki has had an overhaul very recently by Edward, with the help of AI, which we hope will help navigation of its c.1200 pages. A small informal team quietly keeps the wiki up to date, and all volunteers are encouraged to become an editor if this interests them.		The wiki continues to provide a depository of information that helps volunteers run their local groups and the national organisation. It also serves as a record of activities in various areas of work. Always open for ideas and suggestions, the wiki has had an overhaul very recently by Edward, with the help of AI, which we hope will help navigation of its c.1200 pages. A small informal team quietly keeps the wiki up to date, and all volunteers are encouraged to become an editor if this interests them.


	Jacky, Neville and Edward		Jacky, Neville and Edward

Jacky: /* For the period from 1st April 2025 31st July 2026 */

2026-08-22T16:36:29Z

For the period from 1st April 2025 31st July 2026

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 22 August 2026
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	With requests for new groups to be formed by the Freegle Board it has been a busy year.		With requests for new groups to be formed by the Freegle Board it has been a busy year.

	~~====For the period from 1st April 2025 31st July 2026====~~
	Derek did an amazing job not only continuing the process already started of launching new groups for areas not already covered - 18 since our last report but also extending core or default posting areas for existing groups to provide better coverage. 14 groups in total had a core area and / or name change		Derek did an amazing job not only continuing the process already started of launching new groups for areas not already covered - 18 since our last report but also extending core or default posting areas for existing groups to provide better coverage. 14 groups in total had a core area and / or name change

Jacky at 16:33, 22 August 2026

2026-08-22T16:33:21Z

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Jacky at 16:11, 22 August 2026

2026-08-22T16:11:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:11, 22 August 2026
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	~~Report to follow.~~

	[[category: AGM 2026]]		[[category: AGM 2026]]
	[[category:Freegle Ltd Annual Reports]]		[[category:Freegle Ltd Annual Reports]]

	Geeks Team Report		==Freegle Board Annual Report 2026 - Part 1===

			To follow.

			==Freegle Board Annual Report 2026 - Part 2 National Team Reports==

			===Geeks Team Report===
	Geeks team is now, in practice, Edward alone, and there's not much of him left. In 2024 he was funded 3 days per week, is now at 1.5, and from November will be 0.75. At this level, we may or may not be able to keep the site up. Grand strategic goals beyond this are pipe dreams without significant tangible resources.		Geeks team is now, in practice, Edward alone, and there's not much of him left. In 2024 he was funded 3 days per week, is now at 1.5, and from November will be 0.75. At this level, we may or may not be able to keep the site up. Grand strategic goals beyond this are pipe dreams without significant tangible resources.


	Chris Cant has retired from paid geek work and we are enormously grateful for many years of calm, patient work, most of it behind the scenes. Edward is thankful to the Board for funding AI subscriptions and time from Finnbarr (developer shared with TrashNothing). Be aware that we have been spoiled, and must now pay more to get less.		Chris Cant has retired from paid geek work and we are enormously grateful for many years of calm, patient work, most of it behind the scenes. Edward is thankful to the Board for funding AI subscriptions and time from Finnbarr (developer shared with TrashNothing). Be aware that we have been spoiled, and must now pay more to get less.

			Edward has done significant improvements over the last year, including a large amount of code modernisation and simplification.
			*Finished the code and hosting modernisation. Code up to twenty years old has been replaced, the website, ModTools, background jobs and email are all on the new platform.
			*Rebuilt member emails, including one combined daily summary instead of one per group. We launched Rippling Out, so posts spread into neighbouring areas when there is interest. The biggest change of the year and by far the most contentious, with some long-standing moderators stepping down over it.
			*Made much heavier use of AI in coding, and also in responding to volunteers (which isn't ideal, but the only option).
			*Started a promising approach to bulk rehoming of items (e.g. office clearances) which may yield income.

	~~Edward has done significant improvements over the last year, including a large amount of code modernisation and simplification.~~
	~~Finished the code and hosting modernisation. Code up to twenty years old has been replaced, the website, ModTools, background jobs and email are all on the new platform.~~
	Rebuilt member emails, including one combined daily summary instead of one per group. We launched Rippling Out, so posts spread into neighbouring areas when there is interest. The biggest change of the year and by far the most contentious, with some long-standing moderators stepping down over it.
	~~Made much heavier use of AI in coding, and also in responding to volunteers (which isn't ideal, but the only option).~~
	~~Started a promising approach to bulk rehoming of items (e.g. office clearances) which may yield income.~~
	As ever he is grateful to the Support and Info team, and to the volunteers who test and report.		As ever he is grateful to the Support and Info team, and to the volunteers who test and report.

			===Mailbox Team Report===
	Mailbox Team Report
	The vast majority of our work relates to donations to Freegle, as we send personal thanks to the kind members who commit to a regular monthly donation, cheque and bank transfers, and for all donations over £20.00. The generosity of our members is continuously surprising and gratifying. We wouldn't be able to thank them, though, if it wasn't for the tireless work that Edward and Jane do in generating and accounting for the donations.		The vast majority of our work relates to donations to Freegle, as we send personal thanks to the kind members who commit to a regular monthly donation, cheque and bank transfers, and for all donations over £20.00. The generosity of our members is continuously surprising and gratifying. We wouldn't be able to thank them, though, if it wasn't for the tireless work that Edward and Jane do in generating and accounting for the donations.


	The rest of the work has slowed down over the years as others deal with different aspects of Freegle (Partnerships, Media, Support). We continue to have enquiries from external organisations who are looking for help and information, and a handful of complaints from local members - usually about local rules. These last ones are always sad to receive, time consuming and usually difficult. Any complaints that can't be smoothed over are passed onto the Ombudsman team.		The rest of the work has slowed down over the years as others deal with different aspects of Freegle (Partnerships, Media, Support). We continue to have enquiries from external organisations who are looking for help and information, and a handful of complaints from local members - usually about local rules. These last ones are always sad to receive, time consuming and usually difficult. Any complaints that can't be smoothed over are passed onto the Ombudsman team.


	Jacky and Angelika		Jacky and Angelika

			===Mentors Report to 31st July 2026===


	Mentors Report to 31st July 2026
	The team at present consists of 12 members. We have had a successful if very busy year, with a few members of the team bearing most of the burden.		The team at present consists of 12 members. We have had a successful if very busy year, with a few members of the team bearing most of the burden.


	We are ever mindful of the need to bring new volunteers into Freegle as we are continually operating beyond an ideal capacity, making it difficult to do as much as we’d like or deal with any influx of groups such as those instigated by changes to how Freegle works, or the loss of any member of the team.		We are ever mindful of the need to bring new volunteers into Freegle as we are continually operating beyond an ideal capacity, making it difficult to do as much as we’d like or deal with any influx of groups such as those instigated by changes to how Freegle works, or the loss of any member of the team.

			====Caretaking:====
	Caretaking:


	Caretaker groups run by the team number 66, an increase of 15 since our last report to 31st March 2025. We took on 42 groups and handed over 27 to new owners. Each group has 2 caretakers from the team, a total 132 caretaker roles, though not all second caretakers will be active.		Caretaker groups run by the team number 66, an increase of 15 since our last report to 31st March 2025. We took on 42 groups and handed over 27 to new owners. Each group has 2 caretakers from the team, a total 132 caretaker roles, though not all second caretakers will be active.


	Caretaker groups can be seen here https://modtools.org/map/caretaker		Caretaker groups can be seen here https://modtools.org/map/caretaker

			====Actively helping on local groups:====
	Actively helping on local groups:


	There are 10 groups which mentors are helping out on in some capacity.		There are 10 groups which mentors are helping out on in some capacity.


	The team has supported a number of moderators covering for holidays and other breaks.		The team has supported a number of moderators covering for holidays and other breaks.


	Over the last year the team has mentored 3 new moderators for their first 6 months.		Over the last year the team has mentored 3 new moderators for their first 6 months.


	The team also provides unofficial backup to a number of lone moderators, we have not always kept records of all these but they number over 40.		The team also provides unofficial backup to a number of lone moderators, we have not always kept records of all these but they number over 40.


	We continue to look out for groups that aren’t being moderated reliably and offer support. In some instances groups may be declared abandoned.		We continue to look out for groups that aren’t being moderated reliably and offer support. In some instances groups may be declared abandoned.

			====It has been a busy year with particular pressure points:====
	It has been a busy year with particular pressure points:


	The Board requested a significant number of new groups to fill gaps in the Freegle coverage of the UK, making an unusually large number of groups in a short period of time.		The Board requested a significant number of new groups to fill gaps in the Freegle coverage of the UK, making an unusually large number of groups in a short period of time.


	A number of local owners decided it was time to call it a day.		A number of local owners decided it was time to call it a day.


	Derek decided it was time to move on, though he continues to run his local groups. We would like to thank him for his many years of service, he was an integral part of the mentor team. He had an involvement in some 70 groups across the UK and it was challenging for the Acting Team Co-ordinator to find replacements in a short period of time to keep all running smoothly.		Derek decided it was time to move on, though he continues to run his local groups. We would like to thank him for his many years of service, he was an integral part of the mentor team. He had an involvement in some 70 groups across the UK and it was challenging for the Acting Team Co-ordinator to find replacements in a short period of time to keep all running smoothly.
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	As always, we would welcome new recruits to the team, should anyone feel they might be able to help, particularly with recruiting new volunteers and also mentoring and/or caretaking. We also welcome enquiries about permanently taking over a caretaker group.		As always, we would welcome new recruits to the team, should anyone feel they might be able to help, particularly with recruiting new volunteers and also mentoring and/or caretaking. We also welcome enquiries about permanently taking over a caretaker group.


	Mentor Team		Mentor Team

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:37, 22 August 2026
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	We are ever mindful of the need to bring new volunteers into Freegle as we are continually operating beyond an ideal capacity, making it difficult to do as much as we’d like or deal with any influx of groups such as those instigated by changes to how Freegle works, or the loss of any member of the team.		We are ever mindful of the need to bring new volunteers into Freegle as we are continually operating beyond an ideal capacity, making it difficult to do as much as we’d like or deal with any influx of groups such as those instigated by changes to how Freegle works, or the loss of any member of the team.

	~~====~~Caretaking:~~====~~		*'''Caretaking:'''
	Caretaker groups run by the team number 66, an increase of 15 since our last report to 31st March 2025. We took on 42 groups and handed over 27 to new owners. Each group has 2 caretakers from the team, a total 132 caretaker roles, though not all second caretakers will be active.		Caretaker groups run by the team number 66, an increase of 15 since our last report to 31st March 2025. We took on 42 groups and handed over 27 to new owners. Each group has 2 caretakers from the team, a total 132 caretaker roles, though not all second caretakers will be active. <br>

	Caretaker groups can be seen here https://modtools.org/map/caretaker		Caretaker groups can be seen here https://modtools.org/map/caretaker

	~~====~~Actively helping on local groups:~~====~~		*'''Actively helping on local groups:'''
	There are 10 groups which mentors are helping out on in some capacity.		There are 10 groups which mentors are helping out on in some capacity.

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	We continue to look out for groups that aren’t being moderated reliably and offer support. In some instances groups may be declared abandoned.		We continue to look out for groups that aren’t being moderated reliably and offer support. In some instances groups may be declared abandoned.

	~~====~~It has been a busy year with particular pressure points:~~====~~		*'''It has been a busy year with particular pressure points:'''
	The Board requested a significant number of new groups to fill gaps in the Freegle coverage of the UK, making an unusually large number of groups in a short period of time.		The Board requested a significant number of new groups to fill gaps in the Freegle coverage of the UK, making an unusually large number of groups in a short period of time.

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	Derek decided it was time to move on, though he continues to run his local groups. We would like to thank him for his many years of service, he was an integral part of the mentor team. He had an involvement in some 70 groups across the UK and it was challenging for the Acting Team Co-ordinator to find replacements in a short period of time to keep all running smoothly.		Derek decided it was time to move on, though he continues to run his local groups. We would like to thank him for his many years of service, he was an integral part of the mentor team. He had an involvement in some 70 groups across the UK and it was challenging for the Acting Team Co-ordinator to find replacements in a short period of time to keep all running smoothly.


	As always, we would welcome new recruits to the team, should anyone feel they might be able to help, particularly with recruiting new volunteers and also mentoring and/or caretaking. We also welcome enquiries about permanently taking over a caretaker group.		As always, we would welcome new recruits to the team, should anyone feel they might be able to help, particularly with recruiting new volunteers and also mentoring and/or caretaking. We also welcome enquiries about permanently taking over a caretaker group.