Building confidence, sharing stories: a day with Mustard Tree

By Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe, EDI Champion

In November 2025, CIPR North West became the first CIPR region to partner with a charity, working with homelessness and poverty alleviation charity Mustard Tree across communications, advocacy, volunteering and donations. From the outset, the intention was clear: to give our members an opportunity to use their professional skills, creativity and networks in a way that makes a real, human difference.

As EDI Champion, I spent several months planning our first volunteering day with the team at Mustard Tree: an interview skills takeover. We wanted it to be practical, supportive and rooted in real-life experience. I recruited a group of CIPR North West volunteers who were generous not just with their time, but with their career stories too.

On 31 March 2026, five volunteers (Jeni Beattie, Jon Clements, Megan Savage, Harriet Williams and Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe) came together to deliver a half-day session for 22 Mustard Tree service users, all taking steps towards employment. The room quickly filled with conversation, shared experiences and a sense of encouragement.

We covered the essentials - how to present yourself, what to wear, how to approach interview questions - but what really brought the session to life was the human side of it. Volunteers shared their own career journeys, the twists and turns, the setbacks as well as the successes. It created a space where people felt comfortable to ask questions, practise, and most importantly, build confidence.

The feedback from the day captured that spirit.

Fiona Nelson, Training Manager at Mustard Tree, said: “Thank you to the team. It was great to have CIPR facilitate the session. Your experiences added real value to the workshop and the trainees genuinely enjoyed it.”

Evans, one of the participants, shared: “I learned how to be more composed in interviews and how to structure my answers using the STAR method. It really helped me build my confidence and feel more prepared for what’s ahead.”

The people behind the session
Each of our volunteers came with their own reasons for getting involved, but a common thread quickly emerged: a desire to give something back.

For Harriet, it was about stepping out from behind the desk and into something more tangible: “I hadn’t done much volunteering recently, so when this came up it felt like a no brainer. Being able to get involved directly with Mustard Tree and meet people in person made it feel much more real - and much more meaningful.”

Megan saw it as a chance to use the experience she’s built over time in a way that could genuinely help others: “This really stood out as an opportunity to use the skills I’ve gained in my career for something positive. Learning about the work Mustard Tree does, I just thought - this is a brilliant way to support people who need that extra helping hand.”

For Jon, the session connected deeply with his own professional journey: “I’ve been through many interviews over nearly 40 years, and I’ve also been on the other side as an interviewer. I know how tough it can feel, so being able to share that perspective and help someone else navigate it felt really important.”

And for Jeni, it was about recognising the difference opportunity can make: “I feel incredibly fortunate to have had support and opportunities in my life. Not everyone has that. I wanted to help people build confidence and give them the tools to turn an interview into a real opportunity.”

More than a workshop
While the session was designed to support participants, it quickly became something more: a shared experience that stayed with everyone in the room.

Harriet reflected on the unexpected sense of connection: “What really struck me was that everyone feels the same nerves and doubts around interviews, no matter their background. It was a reminder that we’re all more similar than we think - and that was really powerful.”

Megan, who travelled three hours from Cumbria to take part, described the day as eye-opening: “It’s been completely worth it. Hearing people’s stories and understanding their journeys has really stayed with me. It’s helped me grow as well - that’s something I didn’t expect, but really value.”

Jon spoke about the wider context many participants are navigating: “It’s a challenging time to find a job for anyone, but especially for people who are new to the country or don’t have English as a first language. To be able to give them a fighting chance - it really does feel like a privilege.”

Jeni captured the determination in the room: “There was such a strong desire to work and contribute, regardless of background or circumstance. It was genuinely inspiring to see that level of motivation and resilience.”

Throughout the morning, participants began to find their voice - practising answers, sharing experiences, and supporting one another. At the same time, volunteers left with a deeper understanding of the barriers people face, and the role we can all play in helping to remove them.

Looking ahead
This was just the beginning. CIPR North West will continue to host additional volunteering days with Mustard Tree, building on the momentum of this first session. All five volunteers have already signed up to take part again—a reflection of how impactful the experience was on both sides.

As Jon put it: “If your company offers volunteering days, use them. And if they don’t - ask for them. It’s not just the right thing to do, it’s good for you as well.”

At its heart, this partnership is about people: sharing skills, building confidence and creating opportunities. And sometimes, it starts with something as simple, and as powerful, as a conversation.

If you’d like to hear about future volunteering opportunities, get in touch at [email protected], or keep an eye on the CIPR North West newsletter and social channels for updates.

Pic: CIPR volunteers and Mustard Tree at the start of the day