Rocksalt and Mustard Tree transformed a shared, crumbling space into a powerful partnership, helping individuals rebuild their careers and confidence through collaboration and compassion.
When Rocksalt, a fledgling IT consultancy, first moved into the former Preston’s cash-and-carry building in Ancoats, they weren’t thinking about life-changing partnerships or social transformation. They were just trying to keep their computers dry: quite literally.
“We were hanging tarpaulins from the ceiling to stop the rain from flooding our machines,” recalled Peter Bull, Managing Director of Rocksalt, laughing.
“It was chaos, but somehow, it worked.”
Rocksalt and Mustard Tree
Downstairs, another organisation was trying to make another kind of difference. Mustard Tree, a charity focused on tackling homelessness and poverty, had set up shop in the same building.
Both were scraping by in the early days, but what started as an accidental cohabitation blossomed into a powerful collaboration: one that would help hundreds of people reclaim their lives.
“It was just a conversation over tea,” Peter said. “We needed space. Mustard Tree had a room. Before long, we weren’t just neighbours: we were partners.”
After conversations with the charity, Anthony Preston, whose family owned the cash-and-carry, gifted the building to Mustard Tree, and even donated money towards ‘The Big Rebuild’ renovation. The next era of Mustard Tree was born.
Mustard Tree is a place to start over
Mustard Tree’s mission has always been clear: to create opportunity and rebuild lives. For many, that starts with their Freedom Project.
Mustard Tree’s Freedom Project is a life skills and work readiness program aimed at helping people who’ve had more barriers than usual to moving on in life and achieve independence: barriers such as homelessness, mental health issues, addiction recovery or a criminal record. The overall goal of the project is to equip participants with the sort of skills and experience that will improve their likelihood of future employment and (arguably more importantly) give them a sense of belonging to a community.
Dave, a former software developer, was one of those people. He said, “I’d been in tech for years, but anxiety and panic attacks hit me out of nowhere,” he explained.
“It got so bad I developed agoraphobia. I couldn’t leave the house.”
After years of isolation, both the Job Centre and his mum pointed him toward Mustard Tree. Though hesitant, Dave signed up and chose to work in the kitchen, far from his former world of code.
“I just needed something different. Somewhere to rebuild,” he said. “Over time, taking on responsibility and working in a team helped me remember who I was.”
As Dave’s confidence grew, so did the opportunities. Mustard Tree introduced him to Rocksalt, which was still based just around the corner on the upper floor.
What started as a one-day-a-week placement turned into a full-circle comeback. Dave is now back in software development full-time.
“I wasn’t sure I’d ever do this kind of work again,” he said. “Rocksalt and Mustard Tree gave me a chance when I thought I didn’t have one. It changed everything.”
Getting life back on track at Mustard Tree
Dave wasn’t the only one whose life took a turn for the better. His partner, Gina Kollar, who had recently moved from Hungary, was also struggling to find direction.
“We were both on ESA. I couldn’t find work because my English wasn’t strong,” she recalled. “But when Dave started volunteering, he came home so energised. He said the kitchen needed help, so I joined too.”
What followed was transformation, not just for Dave, but for Gina as well. She improved her English, learned how to work in a team, and even taught others.
“It was such a diverse community: people from all over the world. It was beautiful.
“I even ended up running part of the kitchen. Bossing people around,” she laughed.
Today, Gina is employed full-time by Rocksalt as their finance officer.
“I’m the finance lady now!” she said with a proud grin.
How to find belonging and a new career
Then there’s Jayne Carson.
Originally sent to Mustard Tree by the Job Centre, she thought she’d be there for four weeks. She stayed for two and a half years.
“I worked in the warehouse, rocking boots, gloves, the works. I was the only woman there and I loved it,” Jayne said.
“Going out on the vans, delivering furniture: it made me feel valued and happy.”
Jayne’s journey didn’t end there. Through reconnecting with a former colleague, Des, she found work at Rocksalt and is now a full-time cleaner for the company.
“Some people might look down on that,” she said. “But it’s honest work, and I’m proud of it.”
She also found space to express her creative side.
“They let me paint murals in the old building: birds, nature, colour. It was amazing. That they trusted me to do that… it gave me a huge boost.” Even now, years later, the gratitude hasn’t faded.
“Mustard Tree gave me purpose, confidence, and friends,” Jayne said. “I walked in for four weeks and walked out with a whole new life.”
Building something bigger
Peter Bull still marvels at what grew from such a rough start.
“It’s not just about tech or volunteering,” he said. “It’s about connection. People growing, helping one another: that’s where the magic is.”
Over the years, Rocksalt has supported Mustard Tree with everything from basic IT fixes to developing a custom volunteer management system that’s since been adopted by other charities.
“We’ve made lifelong friends through this,” Peter added “It’s been incredibly rewarding, personally and professionally.” And the impact shows no signs of slowing down.
“We’re always ready to welcome more volunteers,” Peter said. “You never know where it might lead.”
More than a charity, more than a company
In a world where partnerships are often transactional, Rocksalt and Mustard Tree stand out for their humanity. This is what collaboration looks like when it’s driven by compassion, not contracts.
From mental health recovery to rediscovered careers, language barriers to leadership roles, their shared space has become a launching pad for transformation.
“It’s not just a workplace,” said Dave’s partner. “It’s a family. You grow, you learn, you connect. And you realise you’re not alone.”
And it all began with some computers under a leaking roof, a spare room, and a couple of cups of tea.
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
