PRP Architects- Ed Cutler

PRP has been a wonderful partner getting involved in a wide range of fundraising and volunteering.

“What was the best thing you feel you achieved for Mustard Tree?” 

“Being able to provide a work experience for a Freedom Project Volunteer, and offering our on-going support and advice to them in their journey through professional qualifications and finding work.”

“Do you feel you have been supported in your efforts by Mustard Tree?”

“Absolutely – we have found Mustard Tree to be very approachable and received a lot of advice on how we can provide practical support to the charity. We had regular contact with the charity and they were always very quick in responding to our communications. It has been a very positive experience, and we hope to keep in touch.”

Hoist finance- Olivia Hall              

Our partnership with Hoist has been brilliant and is continuing from 2017 into 2018.

“What has been your favourite memory of working with Mustard Tree”? 

“Their on-going passion is something I always enjoy, and how they always share with us their latest initiatives to get us involved. As our business helps people in financial difficulties it seemed the perfect partnership.”

 “Do you feel you have been supported in your efforts by Mustard Tree”?

“Absolutely, they have been collaborative from the word go and they always involve us in all upcoming initiatives. If we hold any on-site events are they always happy to support to help spread awareness and drive engagement. They make it very easy for us to support them.”

Hurst & Company Accountancy – Lucy McCormick

“Can you give some examples of the types of events you have run to raise money?” 

“We have done a Grand National sweepstake, a “Bounce for charity” event where tickets were sold for entrance to the trampoline park in Wilmslow, which also included a bake sale and raffle tickets. A 350km cycle challenge through Brussels, Holland and France. A Charity football tournament which Mustard Tree also took part in. A Rough sleep out to be of relevance to the cause. A Tuck shop in the Stockport office with all proceeds going towards the Mustard Tree, as well as the Manchester 10k.”

We wanted to ask “Was it was a good experience working with Mustard Tree?” 

“Yes – all the people we liaised with were always very helpful and friendly. Sophie was our main point of contact and she was always very good at suggesting ideas and ways for us to get more engaged with the charity/cause.”

Stowe Family Law LLP

“Why did you choose Mustard Tree as one of your charities to donate to?”

“During COVID-19 the firm started an ambitious plan to support local charities and institutions, near its 23 office locations across England.  While investigating causes to support near our Manchester office, Mustard Tree stood out due to its response to the outbreak by providing food, clothes and other essentials, across Greater Manchester.”

“Can you give any examples of how you have raised funds for Mustard Tree?”

We just gave a straight-up donation during COVID-19, as we knew that would be the fastest way to support.  We are considering how to provide further support when the lockdown restrictions are eased.

“How important was it for you as an organisation to get involved in Mustard Tree’s work?”

“We always want to help organisations that clearly have a strong focus on helping those in need in the local community, especially where various groups are brought together.  In Mustard Tree’s case that includes academics, artists and other charities and causes.  This kind of support is all the more important during a pandemic – when public services are heavily strained.”

Swizzels Matlow, also known as just Swizzels, confectionery manufacturer in New Mills, Derbyshire, near Stockport
Pictured staff graduation

Swizzels Matlow

“Why did you decide to support Mustard Tree?”

 Homelessness is a concern for everyone.  And helping by just offering something for someone to cope with living on the streets isn’t enough but helping them to help themselves makes a big difference and this is something that Mustard Tree does.

“How has your fundraising been so successful?”

At Swizzels Matlow our employees know that every £1 they raise will be matched by the Company, up to £1,000 per person per year.  This gives them the incentive to raise as much as they can because they know that their efforts will be doubled.

Hill Dickinson – Mark Fitz

Why did you choose Mustard Tree as one of your charities to donate to?
All of our office charities were chosen by our people – our colleagues in Manchester nominated and voted to support Mustard Tree as their office charity, as part of a corporate responsibility programme covering all five UK office locations.

Can you give any examples of how you have raised funds for Mustard Tree?

We have held games nights and quizzes, as well as raffles. Our trainees and solicitor apprentices have been particularly active in organising initiatives to raise funds for Mustard Tree.

How important was it for you as an organisation to get involved in Mustard Tree’s work?

Our people felt this was important to them because homelessness is prevalent in Manchester city centre, where our office is based, and they witness people who are homeless and living on the streets every day on their walk to work. In fact, our office door way is often used as a resting place, so our people wanted to do something to give back in a controlled way.

Blendsmiths Drinkmakers – Ryan (Co-founder)

“Why did you choose Mustard Tree as one of your charities to donate to?”

We’d had previous engagement with disadvantaged groups in other regions and when we returned back to our home city of Manchester after some time away, we were to be honest quite shocked at the amount of people sleeping rough on the streets. We wanted to contribute in some way to help in the objective of making this situation better – Mustard Tree fitted our criteria to help this situation with their own objectives through providing for people less fortunate.

Their scope to provide practical skills, essential everyday items and connections back into society are the perfect stepping stones for getting people off the streets of Manchester, it was a no brainer for us to partner with Mustard Tree.

“Can you give any examples of how you have raised funds for Mustard Tree?”

We sell powdered drinks mixes to cafes across Europe, we will be contributing a % of sales on every item sold to Mustard Tree. We also have a couple of events lined up where proceeds will be donated to the charity.

“How important was it for you as an organisation to get involved in Mustard Tree’s work?”

People, connections, relationships are everything to us – as human beings, as a business we are nothing without them and to know that many people don’t have these simple day aspects in their own lives is too difficult for us to sit by and just watch.

For the past 12 months we have been running an on-going project named ‘Better Together’ which is exactly what it says on the tin, working together is the only way and Mustard Tree fits perfectly into this project.

We would like to provide some training further down the line when Covid restrictions allow, ultimately giving some of the Mustard Tree clients essential skills to be better prepared for entering the workplace.