Join Mustard Tree’s Freedom Project

Would you like things to change but not sure where to begin?

Mustard Tree’s Freedom Project is here for you.

What is the Freedom Project?

The Freedom Project is a training opportunity where you can learn new skills, find work and overcome barriers. A safe space for all, we focus on employability, gaining skills, suitable accommodation and addressing money worries.

We offer training, qualifications and work experience in the following areas:

•  Facility Management – Cleaning and building maintenance training, COSHH training and recycling
•  Kitchen – Trainee chef training, creating menus, food preparation, knife skills, food hygiene and allergy control
•  Retail – Sales and customer service training, till management and logistics, Food Club and stock control
•  Warehouse – Warehouse work and logistic training, driver’s mate, deliveries and collection

What else is available?

We support people to gain vocational and functional qualifications and skills.

Every Freedom participant will have a coordinator and can also access:

•  Courses – Customer Service, Computer Skills, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
•  Drop in creative activities – Art, Music, and Textiles groups
•  Job Clubs – Support with writing CVs and interview practices
•  Work placements – We have connections with local businesses who can offer work placements.

Freedom volunteers have the opportunity to learn new skills and gain work experience – as well as having access to addition support with emergency provisions and travel expenses.

More importantly, the Freedom Project has helped participants to address social isolation, create a routine and build confidence that helps to take the next step towards what it is important to them.

How to get involved

Download or complete an online referral form, which can be found here.

Once a referral form has been completed and submitted, we will arrange a 1-2-1 tour and talk about what we offer.

Give us a call on:

0161 228 7331

You can also visit us at any of our hubs:

Manchester: 110 Oldham Road, Ancoats, M4 6AG,

Little Hulton: 50 Hulton District Centre, Little Hulton, M28 0AU,

Eccles: 15 Southway, Eccles Precinct, M30 0LJ,

“I’d been taking medication for 12 years but stopped taking them early last year and became really unwell quite quickly.  It sent me into a major depressive state last September and I ended up being sectioned for two month. I was frightened of everything – that’s what being isolated for so long does to you. But I knew I needed a focus and something to work towards, so I persisted and agreed to go to the Freedom Project induction. This placed has saved me before and it’s so good to be back after quarantine – I was feeling I was slipping again and began to feel really low. I was living in my PJs and not washing my hair. Now I need to get up, have a shower – knowing I’ve got somewhere to be (with depression, it’s easy to end up on your downstairs bed for the day. If I’m having a bad day or need extra support, my freedom co-ordinator is always there to listen”.

Katie*

Freedom Project Criteria

To ensure we can offer a good fit, the Freedom Project can support:

• Anyone above 18 years old
• Anyone able to commit to a minimum of 16 hours per week (Monday – Friday). We can make reasonable adjustments to these times for those who are in education, or have child caring commitments.
• Anyone who has the ability to understand health and safety guidelines in English

Being at the Mustard Tree can also help address emotional and physical wellbeing, addiction and provide support around immigration. However, we would encourage that volunteers access external relevant support services, as we are not professionally trained in these areas.

We can support individuals who have an offending history. If with probation or with PPU, Mustard Tree will endeavour to offer a suitable placement in partnership with these services. Please contact us if you have any questions in that regard.