Welcome to our latest edition of good news stories from all around Mustard Tree over the past month! Progression, festivals and awards galore!
Andrew and Lee
Andrew Derbyshire has completed his CSCS training now and will be enrolling onto First steps Desktop Publishing course with Corinth this month. Lee Taylor has now received is SIA Security badge and is now looking for employment. He is also completing a Forklift Truck driving course to enhance his employment options.
We are in the 3rd week of our Customer Service course at Mustard Tree Little Hulton, run by Jackie from Salford City College as part of Corinth Training. We have had a great turn out of learners for this and our Freedom Volunteers have the opportunity to further their skills as part of their placement with us.
Manchester Street Poem
Norm came to Mustard Tree a few months ago after experiencing isolation, homelessness and struggling with his mental health. Now, as one of our Freedom Volunteers he has bravely shared his story as part of Manchester Street poem. As part of With One Voice Arts and Homelessness Festival, Norm and many other Mustard Tree volunteers are continuing the legacy of the Manchester Street Poem from last years Manchester International Festival.
Norm said, “I completely understand the trials and tribulations of today’s homeless, it was my experience of homelessness that convinced me to join the Mustard Tree and hopefully help someone who is in the same situation as me.”
The poem has an ongoing legacy, as a growing collection of people and stories that know what it means to experience homelessness. The goal is to create a shared understanding by sharing stories. Last weekend, we welcomed people into the exhibition to read people’s stories, step inside the exhibition and see the world through other’s eyes. Many of our volunteers were included in this and through their stories, we strive to understand homelessness together. The exhibition will be reappearing next summer as part of Manchester International Festival 2019.
With One Voice Festival and Summit
It’s been an absolute joy to be involved with the With One Voice Festival and Summit over the past month, and the Festival itself last week. 250 delegates from 15 countries gathered for a 4 day summit at the Whitworth Gallery to explore and celebrate the role the arts can play in tackling homelessness. Our Freedom volunteers have got involved in many projects and events that show the importance of the arts to us as a charity, to the city and to the people involved who have experience of homelessness. The arts are so effective to share stories and promote understanding of homelessness and enable people with experience to express themselves. From hosting a play, drama performances, music, costume making and story sharing there were so many amazing experiences involved.
Josh
Josh from our kitchen and warehouse team has got himself a job as a kitchen waiter/ porter! After 11 months with us we really will miss him and his brilliant veggie curry. He said ” I needed a place where I could learn I could do things and know I could become something and that’s what Mustard Tree is”. Thankyou and well done Josh!
Heart of Salford Awards
On the 21st, our Salford team and two volunteers Gill and Jonathan attended a wonderful Heart of Salford awards ceremony at the AJ Bell Stadium. We were so honoured to be nominated for the Volunteering Team of the Year award from Salford City Council. This was a touch category and highlights the incredible standard of volunteers throughout the area. Mustard Tree Food Club was also shortlisted for Innovation Project of the year – both of which we are incredibly proud of!
Salford volunteer awards
All of our volunteers are heroes in our eyes with the work they put in each day at Mustard Tree. However, we want to celebrate those who have gone the extra mile to live our values each day. Our Salford branches held an awards ceremony to recognise all of our Mustard Tree Values, Dignity, Opportunity, Diversity, Belief and Partnership which our volunteers have shown to each other, clients, customers and local partners. Our winners were: Rita for Dignity, Jonathan for Opportunity, Sheila for Partnership, Carol for Dignity, David for Diversity and our overall partnership champion with 17 nominations across all categories: Carol! Well done to all and thankyou for all you do.
BBC Radio Manchester and Hope Choir
BBC Radio Manchester broadcast live from 9am-3pm from Mustard Tree Ancoats on Friday 9th, launching our Hope Choir Christmas appeal. The feedback we had from listeners was amazing! It was a fantastic day, with many of our people sharing their inspirational stories of hope and why we need Manchester’s support more than ever. Missed it? Listen back to the shows here
