YOUR INVITATION: 30 Years of Mustard Tree Thank You Event
Please join us to celebrate three decades of community in Greater Manchester
30 years ago next month is when it all began. Mustard Tree as a charity was formed by our founders Dave and Shona Smith, who - with their friend group - began providing support for people who were homeless and sleeping on the streets.
Dave talked about how they didn’t call the charity ‘Mustard Seed’, because “it wasn’t going to stay small - it was going to grow”.
Three decades later, with three hubs across Greater Manchester and hundreds of thousands of people helped, the charity is a crucial resource in Combatting Poverty and Preventing Homelessness.
Giving the building back to the community
Our Ancoats building - 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 charity. 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 our hubs in Little Hulton and Eccles, now see a footfall of over 10,000 visits every month, with people using our Community Shops and Food Clubs, accessing 1-2-1 support, learning new skills in our training areas, attending clubs and classes - or popping in for a brew in our Coffee Shop.
We would not exist without your support - THANK YOU
It’s true. Without your incredible contributions both now and over the years, we simply would not be here. Around 90% of our income comes from donations from individuals, local businesses and grants. In addition, when people donate food, furniture and clothing, we can immediately support those most in need by gifting items, as well as helping to sustain our services by keeping our Community Shops and Food Clubs stocked.
“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 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.”
- Jo Walby, Mustard Tree CEO
On Friday 7th June between 2pm - 5pm, we’d like to say thank you to all our supporters, donors, partners and volunteers - with a special street party exhibition outside and inside our Ancoats hub. The space that welcomes all will showcase music, fashion and art from our creative programmes, with some special guests and local partners also making an appearance.
We’d love for you to join us at this event, to celebrate 30 years of Community in Greater Manchester, and for Mustard Tree to pay homage to those who make us what we are - one of the most impactful and long-lasting organisations in our city.
Keep updated about the event by subscribing to our newsletter below, or please email information@mustardtree.org.uk / call 0161 228 7331 if you have any queries.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Team Mustard Tree x
Would dearly love to be there, but I'll be away that week. Hope it all goes wonderfully well. Happy 30th! 🥳