Salford Councillors visit newly refurbished homeless charity Mustard Tree venue in Eccles

Eccles Ward Councillors from Salford City Council, Mike McCusker and Nathaniel Tetteh, met the team at charity Mustard Tree this week at its newly refurbished Eccles Hub, following improvements to its support and shop spaces.

The charity, founded by Dave Smith, has worked for over 30 years to combat poverty and prevent homelessness through; Community Shops, Freedom Training placements, Support services, Gifting schemes, Vocational training, and Creative courses, offering a consistent, warm welcome to all.

With a strong demand for their services, particularly the Food Club and 1-2-1 support, the refurbished Hub will provide new training opportunities, activities and workshops, food, furniture and clothing, education, training and work placements and creative clubs and classes.

Across its three Hubs in Eccles, Ancoats and Little Hulton, 10,000 visits take place each month and in 2023-24 saw 4,644 new people registering to use its services. By 2026, it aims to prevent homelessness for 3,000 people, lift 30,000 people out of poverty and increase connectivity, community and reduce social isolation.

Through 1-2-1 support in 2023/24, the charity helped:

• 7,805 people out of poverty
• 1,193 people out of homelessness or prevent homelessness
• Provide £271,661 worth of gifted items and/or hardship funds to 4,824 people
• Support 3,916 people through food club visits and a further 1,774 people to access free food
• 214 people increase their income amounting to a cash value of £71,049
• 51 people reducing their debt by a total of £22,644
• 55 people secure employment at a GM living wage rate or above

Each of the Hubs have a community shop, providing low-cost furniture, white goods, electricals and clothing which is donated and up to half is given away as part of its mission to combat poverty. The charity also works in partnership with the Elevate Salford programme, which Salford City Council funds the coordination of by Salford CVS.

Councillor Mike McCusker, for Eccles Ward at Salford City Council said: “It was a great opportunity to meet the Mustard Tree team at its newly refurbished Eccles Hub who are helping to improve the economic wellbeing of people in Salford and find settled homes.

“With its culture of kindness, respect and compassion and commitment to working in partnerships to help people gain skills, training and employment via the charity sector in Salford, Mustard Tree is very much closely aligned with the council’s wider approach to education, training and employment.”

Jo Walby, Mustard Tree CEO said: “We’re delighted to welcome our customers and clients to our refurbished Eccles hub, with a brand new timetable of activities, clubs and classes to benefit the people of Salford”.

Lindsey Morris, Mustard Tree Head of Operations said: “We’ve shown both sides of our Eccles hub some Mustard Tree love, with new paintwork, new flooring, new lighting and new stock. With the work that’s going on around the area at the moment, it really needed an uplift. With the study side of the hub being focused on training, it’s a really nice, welcoming space and we want people from the local area to come and join us to see what we have to offer”.

Fiona Nelson, Mustard Tree Head of Services added: “I want the community in Eccles to be at Mustard Tree, not only for training but also in our community shop – just coming to meet other people and maybe learn some new skills, pick up a bargain or get help with food. I just want to maintain the spirit of Eccles, now that the market has been demolished. I want Eccles to know that Mustard Tree is still here to serve and support you as much as we can”.

Located at 13-15 Southway, Eccles, the Hub is open:

• Monday: 10am – 4pm
• Tuesday:10am – 4pm
• Wednesday: 10am – 4pm
• Friday: 10am – 4pm
• (Closed bank holidays)