Mustard Tree charity will pay homage to volunteers, donors, clients and partners as part of creative showcase on Friday 7 June, 2pm – 5pm, outside Ancoats hub, with music, fashion and art performances from charity’s creative clubs.
Mustard Tree is set to welcome the local community to its Ancoats hub, to mark 30 years of the charity’s work in Greater Manchester, and to thank its supporters.
The charity – with a mission to combat poverty and prevent homelessness – offers multiple services including low-cost food, furniture and clothing – as well as training, work placements, 121 support, creative clubs and classes.
To celebrate three decades in Greater Manchester, Mustard Tree is hosting an afternoon of performances and music to show appreciation to all its supporters from over the years. The event will include an exhibition created by Mustard Tree clients – with work from the charity’s various creative drop-ins; textiles, art and creative writing, plus on-stage performances and guest DJ set by BBC Radio Manchester’s Joe McGrath.
Mustard Tree was formed by its founders Dave and Shona Smith, who began providing support for people who were homeless and sleeping on the streets with their friend group. They gifted furniture donated by friends to people who had secured settled homes – something the charity still does to this day.
Jo Walby, CEO, Mustard Tree commented; “Greater Manchester and the world has gone through incredible changes since the refurbishment of our Ancoats space in 2018 - the Covid-19 pandemic, homelessness epidemic and cost of living crisis - to name but a few. We can only do what we do with the support of Greater Manchester residents, companies, volunteers, philanthropists, public sector services, local leaders and our partners in the charity sector.
We are holding a series of events throughout the year to celebrate our 30th Anniversary, to raise money, awareness and to lobby for change. However, it is most important that we acknowledge, celebrate and thank those who have supported us on our journey so far.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope you can join us for our big ‘thank you’ event in June.”
Giving the building back to the community
Mustard Tree’s building in Ancoats - previously a wholesalers - was generously gifted to the charity by Anthony Preston CBE and his wife Margaret, which proved transformational in the development of the organisation. Following ‘The Big Rebuild’ led by OMI Architects in 2018, Mustard Tree made a commitment to dedicate the refurbished Ancoats building to the community.
Ancoats, combined with its hubs in Little Hulton and Eccles, now see a footfall of over 10,000 visits every month, with people using the Community Shops and Food Clubs, accessing 121 support, learning new skills in its training areas, attending clubs and classes – or visiting the coffee shop breakfast and lunch.
The event is free to attend and open to all – with local food vendors donating 30% of profits to Mustard Tree.
Mustard Tree in numbers: 2023-24
- 4644 new clients registered
- 8507 clients visited Community Shops
- 10,174 people accessed services
- £271,661 worth of donated items and/or hardship fund was gifted to 4824 people
- 55 people secured employment
- 44 people attended external work placements
- 60 people were supported into accommodation
- 40 evictions were prevented
- Debt was reduced for 57 people (total £22,644)
- Income was increased for 309 people (£71,949)
- 3916 people were supported through £3 Food Club visits
- 1774 accessed free food via Food Clubs