Mustard Tree: how you can help!
Mustard Tree are an amazing local charity, doing incredible work to help combat poverty and homelessness. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Ellie, one of the fundraising officers, to learn more about how we can help:
What does Mustard Tree offer to people?
Mustard Tree has been combatting poverty and preventing homelessness for 30 years across Greater Manchester. Mustard Tree offers immediate, reactive support to our Manchester community in the form of food, furniture, clothing and 1-1 support.
As well as longer term training including The Freedom Project, vocational courses (Job Club, Computer Confidence, Customer Service), English provision (English Conversation Club, ESOL) and creative classes (Creative Writing, Textiles, Upcycling, Art Club).
How can people support the work you do?
People can support Mustard Tree through monetary donations, donations of long-life, tinned, dry foods for our Food Club, donations of clothing (especially warm, durable clothing during winter), donations of furniture (in good condition with fire safety labels etc), and by booking volunteering days with us.
Donation Portal link here: Donate – Mustard Tree
Why is this work especially important at the moment?
This year, we celebrate our 30th anniversary. Whilst it is both admirable that Mustard Tree has been doing incredible and vital work for 30 years – it’s also quite sobering that the need for our services is still as prominent as in 1994, and the demand is only increasing.
In one sense, Manchester continues to grow taller, richer, everyday more opportunities and exciting things are happening in our wonderful city. However, at the same time, many people find themselves in times of hardship, in financial crisis, at risk of becoming homeless or currently homeless.
What would you most like people to know about the charity?
Everything we do is governed by our core values: belief in people, dignity for all, commitment to partnership, creating opportunity, and valuing diversity. Mustard Tree is a place of love, care, understanding and most of all community.