Mustard Tree is a charity that is committed to combating poverty in a hope to reduce homelessness in Salford and has been a pivotal organisation in helping Salfordians since the outbreak of the virus.
The charity has invested heavily in its new site in Eccles which was set to launch on Friday November 13.
But as a result of the most recent national lockdown the charity has set out to invite partners and contacts down at the beginning of December.
Big things are happening in #Salford, with the revamp and expansion of our Eccles hub now complete!
Get in touch to find out more: information@mustardtree.org.uk #MustardTree pic.twitter.com/2ZXJZRJoyk
— Mustard Tree (@MustardTreeMCR) November 17, 2020
Due to the new investment, Mustard Tree has been able to make improvements to a variety of services it provides, such as a community store.
The store supplies essential furniture and low-cost clothing for people who aim to set themselves up after getting out of homelessness.
The charity has also introduced a food club which seeks to give people access to low-cost food supplies.
People who wish to join the club will pay a £2 membership fee which will grant them access to choose a basket of ten items each week.
This scheme was brought about by Mustard Tree’s partnership with Fareshare who have helped to redistribute surplus food stocks to their food hubs.
They are also focusing more attention on helping those who need digital support to seek tenancy or job opportunities.
Jack Barton, communications manager at Mustard Tree, said: “We’ve physically expanded into an empty unit, which offers an extra string to our bow through a dedicated 1-2-1 and computer drop-in space.
“The expansion is based on demand and we’ve had a lot of support from donors and partners to help us tackle this – we all know there’s going to be a growing need heading into the new year.”
After the second national lockdown comes to an end, more people will develop the need for the external help Mustard Tree provides.
This will bring about an extremely busy period again for the charity who have coped admirably since the outbreak of the virus.
Barton added: “At the height of the pandemic, we went from supporting 500 people a month to over 1,000 people a week.”
With increasing demand throughout the pandemic, Mustard Tree has been delivering food parcels in their furniture delivery vans to help those people who have to self-isolate.
The charity welcome in any people who wish to help out and Jack Barton touched on how to partake: “If you’re a donor, please consider donating money, food, furniture – or your time!
“Even being an ambassador by signing up to our newsletter or sharing our social media posts is a big help – just to have that support gives us confidence. If you happen to be a landlord – please work with your tenant before choosing to evict them!”
Their ambition to improve will surely carry on into the new year as he said: “The biggest thing for us next year will be getting people into work experience placements, training and ultimately employment. We want to get our Freedom Trainees back on-site to learn new skills and get work experience, as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
If you would like to get involved and aid Mustard Tree’s mission to help those in need, you can donate or volunteer at the Mustard Tree website.
You can also visit their Eccles community store which is situated at: 16 Southwest Eccles Precinct Salford, M30 0LJ.
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