Tucked away behind the red brick walls of its Ancoats hub, Mustard Tree is quietly painting a different kind of picture, one of hope.
While the charity is well known for tackling poverty and preventing homelessness in Greater Manchester, one of its most quietly powerful tools doesn’t come in the form of emergency accommodation or hot meals. It comes in brushes, pencils, threads, and colour.
Art, at Mustard Tree, is more than a pastime. It’s a lifeline.
For many who walk through the charity’s doors, whether they’re struggling with housing, battling poverty, or simply seeking a place to belong, the weekly drop-in art classes provide a few precious hours of peace. A chance to exhale.
Bohdan’s brushstrokes
One of those who found solace in Mustard Tree’s art sessions is Bohdan, a Ukrainian man who moved to Manchester in early 2024 following Russia’s invasion. Finding his feet in a new country was no easy task, but he found his first real sense of home within the walls of Mustard Tree.
“Their drop-in art sessions welcomed me with open arms, offering not just materials but a sense of belonging,” said Bohdan. His involvement in the Whose Art, Whose Culture? The project, which culminated in an exhibition attended by the Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, was transformative. “This experience felt validating; for the first time in a while, I felt like my voice mattered.”
Bohdan is one of the few participants to have attended art sessions at all three Mustard Tree hubs: Ancoats, Eccles, and Little Hulton. His story speaks to the quiet power of these community-rooted classes.
A space that grows with its people
The sessions themselves are refreshingly unstructured. They’re built around the principle of autonomy and creativity; participants simply drop in and pick up whatever materials inspire them that day. Whether it’s painting, sketching, sewing or working on mixed media, the space allows for freedom of expression without expectation.
“Most sessions are participant-led,” Karen, a friend of Mustard Tree, explained. “But sometimes we collaborate with other organisations on themed projects, like ‘Whose Art, Whose Culture?’, that give everyone the chance to reflect and respond creatively together.”
The result is an evolving patchwork of personal expression, collaboration, and storytelling: one that often spills into wider community exhibitions.
From rainy sheds to colourful showcases
Mustard Tree’s Ancoats art space hasn’t always been the light-filled, creative haven it is today. In its early days, the room was cold, draughty, and pieced together with makeshift sheds to keep the rain off. But even back then, something beautiful was taking root.
“One of our first Freedom Project trainees, Graham, happened to be a very talented artist,” a team member recalled. “We gave him a space to create, and gradually, other clients started to join him. That was how our creative programme was born, totally organic.”
Since then, the programme has grown exponentially. Now, it’s a vibrant part of Mustard Tree’s offering: a cornerstone of the charity’s holistic approach to rebuilding lives. The classes don’t just help people learn a skill or fill a few spare hours; they help people reimagine who they are.
Exhibitions, pride, and catwalks on Bengal Street
Art made in Mustard Tree’s hubs doesn’t stay hidden away. Every few months, the team hosts creative showcases where participants are encouraged to display their work. These events are about more than just showing off talent: they’re about reclaiming identity and taking pride in one’s voice.
Last year, during Mustard Tree’s 30th anniversary celebrations, a full street party took over Bengal Street in Ancoats, complete with a catwalk for creative displays. It was bold, bright, and unapologetically joyful: a true reflection of what the charity stands for.
“It’s not about how well you can paint, draw or sew,” said Karen. “It’s about being part of something. Creating something you’re proud of. Something you can point to during a showcase and say to your friends and family, ‘Yeah – I made that.’”
Community as a canvas
At the heart of everything Mustard Tree does is community. The art classes are no exception. Participants, volunteers, staff and local collaborators all contribute to a creative culture that’s as welcoming as it is vibrant.
Take, for example, Mustard Tree’s growing bond with Manchester’s local Hong Kongers group. Their members now regularly contribute to art exhibitions, blending cultures and experiences through shared creativity.
There are also collaborations with local artists like Salford-born Chelsea Davies. Her involvement in the Whose Art, Whose Culture? The workshop at Little Hulton gave participants a boost of confidence. Julie, who joined the project, said: “Not only did it make me think about the place in which I live, it gave me the opportunity to befriend other group members: I completed the project with only happy memories!”
Creative sustainability
Mustard Tree also uses its artistic reach to engage with social and environmental issues. A recent partnership with Groundwork Greater Manchester, called Rag Revival, invited participants to explore the environmental impact of textile waste and turn discarded materials into beautiful, meaningful creations.
This thoughtful pairing of environmental education and community creativity ensures the classes remain relevant and responsive to real-world issues, while still being accessible to all.
And while some materials come from the charity’s budget or funded projects, others arrive in the form of community donations. “We can always use canvases, paintbrushes, pencils and even old sewing machines,” the staff said gratefully. “Second-hand supplies are a huge help.”
Looking ahead with Mustard Tree
The future of Mustard Tree’s art programme is bright, and like its past, it will grow organically with the needs and creativity of its people.
The spaces are warmer now, both literally and emotionally, and with each new face that walks through the door, the community grows stronger.
But the mission remains simple.
“It’s about giving people a chance to create something,” Karen said. “To connect. To feel seen. To take home something beautiful, not just in their hands, but in their hearts.”
And that’s the kind of legacy you won’t find in a gallery but in the shared laughter at a workshop and the gentle confidence of someone who now dares to say: Yeah, I made that.
I Love Manchester X Mustard Tree
This year, I Love Manchester is partnering with Mustard Tree to raise charity funds for the amazing work they do across Greater Manchester.
Named Manchester’s Most-Loved Charity at the I Love MCR Awards, Mustard Tree combats poverty and prevents homelessness across the city.
You can find out more about this partnership and donate by clicking here
