The charity Mustard Tree which helps people across Salford and Manchester has joined a scheme that will double the charity’s funds.
The scheme, Big Give’s 2023 Christmas Challenge, ensures that all donations made between November 28 and December 5 will be doubled.
These donations will help to fund Mustard Tree’s ‘Freedom Project’, a six-month skills and employability programme, designed to help people make long-term change through volunteering, practical training, and 121 support.
It’s #GivingTuesday and the @BigGive Christmas Challenge begins today!
Donate through our page from 12pm and your donation will be DOUBLED: https://t.co/7pjzuVgQAC#MustardTree #ChristmasChallenge https://t.co/QWKJlSUQEJ pic.twitter.com/9V1Dw5nPmG
— Mustard Tree (@MustardTreeMCR) November 28, 2023
Mustard Tree was founded just under 30 years ago by Dave Smith, and their mission is to create opportunities for people to build their confidence, by teaching the skills and providing the resources necessary to improve overall wellbeing and break the cycle of struggle.
Recently, Mustard Tree has been recognised for the work they do, winning the Spirit of Manchester award for tackling inequalities, the I Love MCR award for most loved charity and are nominated for the Heart of Salford award.
They provide many other useful resources such as community shops across all three of their locations, (Ancoats, Eccles and Little Hulton) where you can access affordable furniture, clothing and general household items.
“We are unique because we gift 40 per cent of items donated,” Jack Barton, Communications Manager at Mustard Tree said.
Food club is also available, in which people can get up to 10 items for £3.00 on a referral basis. This includes meat, toilet roll, tea bags, cereal, fruit and vegetables
When asked about where the donations would go, Mr Barton said they would primarily fund the Freedom Project.
He described it as “Mustard Trees life skills and employability training placement.
“We help people learn new skills, to build their confidence and in a lot of cases we will help them find work as well.”
Programs such as the Freedom Project are the key to creating healthier societies, as they enable more people to naturally integrate into their local community.
It equips people with the skills to gain employment, which will provide long-term stability and income.
It also help to improve people’s mental wellbeing in many ways. People struggling with social isolation can find the friendship they need. Similarly, people feeling isolated with their situation can speak to others in the same situation or seek advice from non-judgemental volunteer workers.
All these things help build people’s confidence.
Mr Barton said, “The change you see in people is incredible.”
When asked why Mustard Tree applied for Big Give’s Christmas Challenge, Mr Barton said: “We really wanted to have that opportunity to have our donors double their impact.”
Big Give’s Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign with the slogan being, “One donation, twice the impact!”
The 2022 Christmas Challenge was extremely successful for Big Give.
Give Now 2022 Result by Cerys Tucker
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