Yvonne Anderson says that her life has been transformed by finding Mustard Tree
Yvonne Anderson found Mustard Tree at a time where she needed it the most(Image: Mustard Tree)
Two years ago, Yvonne Anderson made the decision to leave her job to care for her poorly mother. When her mother sadly passed away, Yvonne, 63, whose father had passed the year prior, tried to get back to work. But she found that it was too tough.
During one of her visits to the job centre, Yvonne was advised to speak to a Mustard Tree representative, as the charity was offering places for its training scheme, known as the Freedom Project.
Mustard Tree is a homelessness and poverty charity with three sites across Greater Manchester. This Christmas, the Manchester Evening News is asking for your help in supporting this vital lifeline of a charity. We have set up a dedicated Go Fund Me page to try and raise money in the run up to Christmas to help Mustard Tree continue their wonderful work.
Speaking to the M.E.N about her experience with Mustard Tree after her parents passing away, Yvonne candidly shared: “It knocked me sideways when they passed, and I tried to get back to work the week after the funeral. I went to the job centre, and I didn’t get very far, I found it difficult after two years away from work and I was so emotional.”
Yvonne works at the front desk at Mustard Tree, triaging people who come through the doors(Image: Mustard Tree)
The 63-year-old from Moss Side continued: “On one of these trips to the job centre, they told me that Mustard Tree had an open day about the Freedom Project, so I thought I’d give that a go. I was invited here and I was very surprised at how much they covered.”
Yvonne became a Freedom Project Trainee at Mustard Tree earlier this year which sees her work at the front-of-house, supporting those people who come through the doors with a variety of needs. It could be someone who is homeless and in need of warm clothing, or someone who needs help with a housing application, or just somebody who is seeking the comfort of a chat.
“I have gained my confidence back,” Yvonne shared. “Mustard Tree are very solid at supporting you in making decisions about what you want to do next. They offer you classes, someone to talk to, a hot meal during your day at work. And every nationality under the sun comes through that door – not just people from Manchester.”
Speaking about how Mustard Tree has changed her life aside from helping her feel more confident about getting back to work, Yvonne said: “It’s the support, I’ve now got good friends, in Manchester and all over England really, Mustard Tree offers the comforting support – they give you a chance to try different skills, they offer you classes to support your interest, the classes are very doable.
“It helps you grow because you help each other out and inevitably you’re getting back into team work. Some people have never been in that environment before. I can’t believe how good it’s been for me. And it came at a time I needed it most.
The Manchester Evening News is working with Mustard Tree to try and raise awareness and money to help them going into the new year
“I can’t believe I found somewhere that has done exactly what I needed.”
Yvonne will finish her six months on Mustard Tree’s Freedom Project Scheme in January, at which point she plans to get into work again. In the past, Yvonne has worked in telephone and reception roles in agencies and hotels, and has now opened up about her future career aspirations.
“Mustard Tree actually helped me get onto a work experience at an international corporate law firm to help me gain my confidence back even further,” Yvonne said. “Although it was a beautiful and well managed workplace, it made me realise I don’t want to work in a corporate workplace. I want to work at a charity. Whether that is reception or admin – I want to work somewhere I am helping people.”
Mustard Tree is an open door for anybody living in Greater Manchester who is struggling with homelessness, unemployment or poverty of any scale. Although reaching out for help is not always easy, Mustard Tree will always be there to support people in any way they can.
Speaking directly to those who are in need of help, Yvonne shared: “Seek out help, seek Mustard Tree specifically – there’s no judgment here. They take everyone at face value. And even if they can’t help you, they will direct you straight to someone who can help.”
Across all three sites, Mustard Tree offers food discount schemes, a welcoming and affordable café where people can get a much-needed break from the cold, and a community store offering discounted furniture, white goods, electricals and clothing.
Mustard Tree has a training kitchen to help people upskill in order to get into employment(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
All three sites run a ‘Food Club’, a discounted grocery scheme. Depending on circumstances, people are either asked to offer £3 in exchange for ten items, or are issued credit and can have the items for free. Although Mustard Tree receives some food donations, 90 per cent of this food has to be bought themselves. And they can’t do this vital work without funding.
As well as offering in-the-moment support for those in crisis – the staff at Mustard Tree work to help equip people for a better future by teaching skills to help them get jobs. This includes clubs and classes such as learning computer skills, improving their literacy and managing bills. Amazingly nearly 100 people have found new jobs this year with support from Mustard Tree.