Pascale joined Mustard Tree only 3 months ago as our Volunteer and Community Coordinator, recruiting and supporting our amazing volunteers and working with community groups across Greater Manchester.
Why did you choose to work at Mustard Tree?
I’ve worked in the charity sector for a while now, and having moved to the Manchester area in October I had been looking into a lot of the charities across the city. Mustard Tree stood out to me because the emphasis on progression and partnership really resonated with me. I believe it is so important to be equipping and partnering with people to help them move forwards in life – so to be a small part of facilitating that is a real privilege.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Seeing the impact that supporting Mustard Tree can make – not just for Mustard Tree, but for the volunteers and community groups who want to partner with us. For Mustard Tree, this support enables us to provide for people in times of crisis and ensures all our services are able to continue each day for those that most need it. For volunteers and community groups it is a chance to give something back which often enriches their lives through the things they see and the people they meet.
Why are volunteers so important to Mustard Tree?
Volunteers are integral to the day-to-day running of Mustard Tree; without them we couldn’t do what we do! They not only help us to get the job done, but most importantly they are able to support our beneficiaries and clients, by buddying-up with them and helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment where each person can develop the skills and self-confidence they need to move forwards in life.
What Volunteering roles are available at the moment?
We have quite a range of roles currently. While all the roles have a specific aim, they are primarily focused on the people who come to Mustard Tree for help, supporting them as they develop new skills and work towards their goals. I’d love to hear from anyone who is passionate about supporting vulnerable and homeless people to learn new skills, whether that’s building the confidence to talk to the public while helping out in our shops, learning new skills like music production or putting together food parcels for families in need. There is a variety of roles available on our website, but I’m happy to chat to anyone who’s interested in getting involved and joining the Mustard Tree community.
How do people apply to be a volunteer?
You can take a look at all of our volunteering opportunities on our volunteering page, and you can get the application form either online or from each of the hub offices. If you’d like to find out more about volunteering, please email me at pascale@mustardtree.co.uk or call on 0161 228 7331.
“feeling like I’m making a difference”