2026 – Building on our successes

2026 certainly promises to be a busy one as we build on the achievements of the past twelve months. Amongst the many highlights last year, we opened our new teaching kitchen ‘COOK!’ in central Manchester, we launched our new Ban Hatch and Dispatch campaign, we began rolling out our new Plant Based Certification Mark and we held a number of member engagement events including a National Vegetarian Week dinner and our first ever ‘Members Day’ at our HQ.

I’m also delighted to report that our membership is now growing strongly, which gives us a solid platform on which to deliver even more impact this coming year.

Throughout 2026, we’ll continue to campaign for an end to chick culling in the egg industry, while also launching a brand-new campaign, which our members and supporters can help champion. More news soon!

Through our outreach programme, the COOK! team will be aiming to reach ever more people, particularly those in deprived and marginalised communities, where veggie and plant-based cooking can make a real difference to health, while costing less than traditional meat-based dishes.

And with many of our members quite rightly bemoaning the lack of good veggie options when eating out – we’ll be launching a brand new programme aimed at restaurants and pub companies, which aims to improve the quality of veggie meals on menus.

As ever none of this happens without the support of our members and supporters. The Vegetarian Society is always more impactful when trustees, staff, members and supporters come together to create action. After all, together, we are the Vegetarian Society.

Whether you’re a foodie, concerned about animal welfare, worried about the environment, interested in diet and health – or indeed all of these (!) we aim to make sure we offer something for everyone.

If you aren’t already a member and you’ve read this far, why not join us now from as little as £3 a month? You’ll get our exclusive member’s magazine plus be first to hear about our campaigns and how you can get involved and get access to new and exciting recipes. There are a wide range of other benefits and you can find out more here. You’ll be joining a growing and thriving membership focused on taking real action to transform our food system for the benefit of animals, people and planet!

Here’s to a successful and impactful 2026!

Richard McIlwain

Chief Executive, Vegetarian Society