In 2017, the  European Social Fund  awarded us a grant to part-fund our Community Learning project. In partnership with ESF, we deliver provision of key skills courses to enable learners to develop their confidence, motivation and core vocational skills, and give them access to the wider activities Mustard Tree offers. We provide a range of Taster Sessions for learners to find out about a range of activities available at Mustard Tree, including Computer Skills and Customer Service Courses and work experience opportunities, enabling people experiencing multiple disadvantage to improve their health/wellbeing and employability.

In 2016, Allchurches Trust Ltd awarded us a grant to support the Big Rebuild; a capital project to refurbish our Ancoats base which will provide a long term secure space dedicated to meeting the needs of the many in Greater Manchester whose lives have been and will continue to be blighted by poverty and disadvantage.

In 2016, Garfield Weston awarded us a significant grant to support the Big Rebuild; a capital project to refurbish our Ancoats base which will provide a long term secure space dedicated to meeting the needs of the many in Greater Manchester whose lives have been and will continue to be blighted by poverty and disadvantage.

In 2015, Lloyds Bank Foundation awarded us a three year grant to support our flagship programme The Freedom Project; a life skills and work readiness programme aimed at those who have additional barriers to moving on in life and designed to help its participants to grow in confidence, motivation, stability, well-being and employability. The funding has allowed us to develop the Freedom Project for personal and vocational development.

In 2014, the Oglesby Charitable Trust awarded us a three year grant to establish our hub in Little Hulton. We chose this location because it was highlighted as one of the most deprived communities in Greater Manchester so extending Mustard Tree’s reach would a allow us to transform the lives of even more people. Since setting up a hub in Little Hulton in November 2014, we have helped just fewer than 1000 clients and will continue to provide support to the community of Salford for many years to come.

In 2014, Comic Relief awarded us a two year grant to fund The WORD Project; our creative programme aimed at Freedom Project participants. The WORD Project has already proven highly effective in helping the most marginalised people to achieve positive progression. Complementing our work around training and employability, art provides alternative communication channels and opportunities for self-expression – crucial tools for people experiencing social exclusion and whose voices are rarely heard.

In 2014, Network for Social Change awarded us a one year grant to The WORD Project; our creative programme aimed at Freedom Project participants designed to give them the opportunity to express themselves creatively which can be highly therapeutic and an important element of rebuilding lives.

StandFirm, our Community Interest Company (CIC) exists to assist the fulfilment of the goals of Mustard Tree by providing skills training, work placements and employment opportunities for those facing significant barriers to employment in the Manchester area. They are that part of the Mustard Tree family that acts as a Social Enterprise.
A key aim of StandFirm is to utilise, recycle or upcycle any furniture, metal, white goods and other electrical equipment which it clears particularly from a void contract that they have with Northwards Housing Association, and other House Clearances that they do, with the added aim of being able to offer such items back into the same communities through Mustard Tree furniture retail outlets. It is a vital part of the ethos of StandFirm that the communities in which it operates benefit directly from its work through employment opportunities and recycled furniture and household goods offered back to the community at affordable prices.