Introducing the Mustard Tree – Our 2025/26 Charity Partner

The CIPR North West Committee is proud to announce our new charity partnership with Mustard Tree, a Manchester-based organisation working to combat poverty and prevent homelessness across Greater Manchester. 

Officially launched at our CIPR North West AGM, this partnership is about more than fundraising, it’s about giving CIPR North West members the opportunity to use their professional skills, creativity, and networks to make a real difference. 

Together, we’ll amplify Mustard Tree’s messages, raise awareness of the challenges surrounding poverty and homelessness and support their mission to build brighter futures across Greater Manchester.

Earlier this year, when members were asked which social cause mattered most to them, homelessness came out on top. Mustard Tree stood out as a charity that not only provides vital practical support, such as food and clothing, but also offers training, volunteering and work opportunities that empower people to change their circumstances for good.

Over the next year, CIPR North West will support Mustard Tree in several ways:
• Promoting the charity’s campaigns and stories through our newsletter, blogs, and social media.
• Hosting quarterly volunteering and skills-based opportunities for members
• Collaborating on storytelling features that show how communications can create real social impact and much more.

Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe, CIPR North West Committee member and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, said: “When our members chose homelessness as the cause they wanted to support, it spoke volumes about our community’s values. Mustard Tree’s work reflects everything communications should stand for, connection, empowerment, and giving people a voice. This partnership is a chance for our members to get involved, learn, and use their professional skills for genuine social good.”

Jack Barton, Head of Communications and Impact for Mustard Tree, said: “This support from CIPR North West could not have come at more of a crucial time for our charity, as we recorded our highest ever footfall across our three hubs in September. 

“Our latest campaign, ‘Show Me Hope’, aims to unite Greater Manchester residents to support people who are facing hardship and crisis across the city region, to act without prejudice and acknowledge that everyone needs help at some point in their lives. 

“Our charity is many different things to many different people, and having the support of CIPR North West to help amplify our messages will be of huge benefit for both our charity – and the people we support through combatting poverty and preventing homelessness.”

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