Charity Partner Spotlight: Mustard Tree

10 December 2025

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Partner Spotlight: Mustard Tree

Interview with Rachel Crank, Corporate & Events Fundraising Officer

As part of Colony’s commitment to supporting organisations driving real change in our city, we’re proud to shine this month’s spotlight on our charity partner, Mustard Tree. Based in Ancoats and serving Greater Manchester, Mustard Tree has been a lifeline for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness for over 30 years.

From food support to skills workshops, creative programmes to community spaces, their work empowers people to rebuild stability and independence. This winter, Colony venues across Manchester are hosting a Christmas Donation Drive to support Mustard Tree’s emergency needs, ensuring essential items reach those who need them most.

We sat down with Rachel Crank, Corporate & Events Fundraising Officer, to learn more about their mission and the impact your contributions make.

For anyone who hasn’t heard of Mustard Tree before, how would you describe the charity and the work you do in Manchester?
Mustard Tree combats poverty and prevents homelessness across Greater Manchester. For over 30 years, Mustard Tree has been working to address the causes and consequences of poverty and homelessness through frontline support services, access to training and education, and the provision of essentials such as food, furniture, and clothing.

We believe that everyone needs a home, everyone needs opportunity to earn an income, and everyone will need help at some point in their lives. Our holistic, trauma-informed support model enables our clients to increase their long-term stability and break out of the cycle of poverty. We create opportunities for people and communities to help themselves through practical support, life skills, and connections into work.

What are the biggest challenges people in our city are facing right now, and how does Mustard Tree help address them?
Many of the pressures being felt by people centres around poverty and housing – which can often lead to homelessness. A large portion of the people we support are at risk of homelessness or facing eviction. We have adapted to external shocks over recent years, from the Beast of the East severe weather event to COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis. Most recently, we are supporting an increasing number of people who are seeking asylum or are refugees and living on the street.

Is there a moment or story from this year that really captures the impact of your work?
Across our three hubs in Ancoats, Eccles and Little Hulton – we typically work with people who are furthest from the job market to learn new skills, build confidence and gain employment through the ‘Freedom Project’. One of our recent Freedom Project graduates – Tom – first came to us as he was struggling to find work due to a diagnosis of Aspergers. He was more than capable and just needed an opportunity, after many employers could not see past his diagnosis. Through our partnerships with local businesses, Tom was able to secure a work placement with Mears Group and is currently working as a Business Support Apprentice. Tom’s story is available to watch here.

What types of support are most in demand at this time of year?
Anyone living in Manchester is no stranger to the wet, miserable weather, and so won’t be surprised to learn that our priorities for the Community Shop are warm, waterproof items of clothing that can be gifted to people who are rough sleeping throughout the Winter season or sold in our Community Shops at very low cost. Likewise, we want to facilitate holiday celebrations wherever possible, meaning that we look for donations of selection boxes, children’s toys, and general festive goodies in the lead up to Christmas.

Could you share a bit about your Freedom Project and how it helps people build stability and confidence?
The Freedom Project is our six-month employability and training placement, providing wrap-around support that prioritises mental and financial wellbeing, with practical work experience to increase self-efficacy and help Trainees progress into fair, sustainable employment. Trainees commit to (a minimum of) two days per week in one of our on-site workstreams: including our training Kitchen, Coffee Shop, Retail, Warehouse and Distribution, and PAT Testing.

Each Trainee is paired with a Freedom Coordinator, who co-creates a personalised Action Plan and provides 1-1 support across employment, wellbeing, housing, debt, and skills development. When Trainees feel ready, they are supported into external work placements with our corporate partners to boost confidence, skills, experience, and provide valuable references.

To further remove barriers, we also cover travel costs for Trainees and provide a free, freshly prepared, healthy lunch on-site. We are unique in that we do not push people into unsustainable jobs for the sake of outcomes. We provide a supportive, realistic space where individuals can safely try, fail, try again, learn, grow, and succeed-on their own terms.

Across 2024/25, 163 people graduated from the Project. 88% reported they had achieved their own personal goals and gained confidence, 48 moved into employment, and 68 progressed into further education, training, or volunteering.

What does a typical day look like inside the Mustard Tree community hub?
Our hubs now see a footfall of over 11,000 visits a month and October 2025 was our busiest month on record, recording over 12,100 visits. So, in three words: bustling with activity. The barriers that our service users face are often complex, including experience of homelessness, risk of homelessness, destitution, trauma, poor mental or physical health, disabilities, addiction, offending histories, social isolation, discrimination, and systemic inequalities.
That being said, in the face of these issues and barriers, Mustard Tree is overflowing with hope and ambition. Every day, clients attend classes and clubs to equip themselves with skills that will lead to employment, our Support Team hold 1-2-1 appointments to support people into accommodation, and our Retail Team support recently secured tenancies with essential furniture items.

7. For anyone wanting to do more beyond donating items, what are the best ways to support Mustard Tree?
As we approach 2026 (which is scary enough in itself), we are preparing for an unprecedented year. Despite our success in getting more people than ever into their own homes, helping more people than ever into sustainable employment, and offering more classes, courses, and opportunities, demand keeps getting higher. We are looking for organisations that can make a long-term commitment to supporting Mustard Tree, by nominating us as their Charity of the Year.

This 12- or 24-month partnership would revolve around fundraising, donations, and volunteering, thereby bringing about real social impact and positive change for Greater Manchester through collaboration. Any support for our clients is brilliant, but to meet the needs of the 500+ families, rough sleepers, and refugees we now see each day, we need the security and assurance that comes with a Charity of the Year Partnership.

Likewise, organisation can create opportunities for our Freedom Project Trainees by offering 2-week training placements, experience days, and taster sessions. Our community is multitalented with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and interests, and we would love to work with you to empower our trainees into new experiences, communities, and employment.

We’ve partnered with artist Len Grant to create a charity calendar for 2026. Buying one for yourself or friends/family is a great way to Mustard Tree and get something in return – more information here.

Finally, individuals can set up direct debits to provide regular monthly support!

8. Are there any upcoming initiatives, events, or volunteer opportunities members should know about?
Absolutely! We have recently finalised our 2026 Challenge Events Deck, which is jam-packed with fundraising events for people who want to run, walk, cycle, abseil, or generally challenge themselves to raise money for Mustard Tree. We’re in the prime planning period for 2026 events so for anyone who’s considering a marathon or a 10k and looking for a charity to support, now is the time to get in touch!

Link to the Partnerships page and 2026 Events Deck: https://mustardtree.org.uk/partnerships/
We also have a comprehensive corporate volunteering programme, which runs Monday to Friday every week. Throughout the day our volunteers will experience and assist in multiple areas throughout the building, including (but not limited to) our vocational classes, our Training Kitchen, and our Food Club.

What are your priorities as we head into 2026, and how can the Manchester community help you achieve them?
Our latest campaign, Show Me Hope, is our way of turning away from fear and unfairness, to embrace hope and kindness. We want to unite Greater Manchester residents, to support people who are facing hardship and crisis across our city region, and to act without prejudice by acknowledging that everyone needs help at some point in their lives. Show Me Hope video.

What keeps you motivated and inspired in the work you do every day?
Embracing the Mustard Tree belief that everyone needs help at some point in their life and learning about the broad range of complex reasons why someone might find themselves walking through our front door. I think it’s important to acknowledge the stigma surrounding poverty and homelessness, and then do everything we can to alleviate that through dignified treatment in a safe and comfortable space.

Equally, the Mustard Tree team, all of our volunteers and staff members, keep me motivated. Seeing their dedication, optimism, and willingness to help every single day inspires me. The atmosphere at Mustard Tree is overwhelmingly welcoming, positive, and upbeat, and being part of a community working tirelessly towards positive change is empowering.

Colony & Mustard Tree: Our Ongoing Partnership

Colony is committed to supporting Mustard Tree throughout the year, not just at Christmas. This partnership reflects our belief in strengthening the communities around our workspaces and helping ensure Manchester remains a place where everyone can thrive.

Your donations, engagement, and support — big or small — directly help Mustard Tree continue its essential work.

To get involved, simply drop off items at any Colony venue throughout December.