Our Impact
Currently, we offer a wide range of therapeutic services, including therapy, enrichment activities and alternative education for children and young people. We also offer support to parents/carers through our community wellbeing hubs (we now have two hubs in Cambridge City, one in Huntingdon, one in Soham and one in Northstowe). Likewise, we work closely with schools and other organisations on therapeutic projects and research. All our work is guided by our Panoramic Model, which follows National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
Our work has improved wellbeing, reduced trauma symptoms, boosted school attendance, and helped families create safer, more stable homes where children can thrive. Each year, we produce an impact report showcasing our work and how this has made a difference in the lives of the children, families and the community we work with. To learn more, check out our 2023–2024 Impact Report, read our case study and do get in touch to support our mission!
Since 2014 Cambridge Acorn Project has been supporting children and families who have experienced complex trauma and abuse and who are facing financial hardship. Over the last decade we have grown and changed, and now we can support more children and families than ever before.
Since we started, we have provided preventative mental health support to over 1500 children.
We are now working with more than 500 children and families per year.
We have provided training placements for over 20 therapists and social workers.
Highlights of our
2023-2024 Impact Report
During the academic year 2023-2024 we supported…
711 children
(including through our research projects and those currently going through our assessment process).
94% of responding families said it was certainly true that our services were good
100 schools
across Cambridgeshire
90.0% of responding schools said it was certainly true that our services were good
94 parents and carers
with long term counselling, casework support, and regular weekly support at a hub for
100% of responding adults reported they felt listened to
100% would recommend our service to a friend who needed similar support.
And we provided…
Extended casework and life admin to
52 families
to support with maintaining safe homes
18 legal clinic sessions
for families in partnership with Tees Law.
392 family contact sessions across our hubs
11 training placements
for therapy and counselling students
How our work has impacted the people we work with:
The support has changed my life in many ways, that I can show up whoever I am that day. That I’m heard. The people really try and do make such a difference. They listen without any judgement, just ways to help. They’re so kind, always welcoming and always at your pace. Forever grateful. Truly heart felt thank you.
— Parent
My counsellor was very respectful, not treating me differently/looking down on me because of my situation, and I felt very comfortable speaking up about concerns...I really enjoyed it, and it was the most relaxing and comfortable part of my week. It was very emotional parting ways.
— Child
The longevity of the support is extremely beneficial for the students that need that level of support and helps reassure those young people who need to build working relationships before therapeutic support can be fully successful. The service overall was excellent, I have established a great working relationship with [therapist] and am immensely confident that the support she is providing student is of extremely high quality,
— School (school survey)
It was really helpful because I learnt lots of things to help me when being angry or sad or when something is going on at home. And, ‘cause I really missed my dad we talked about it and now I’m in touch with him and I think these [sessions] have helped me for that. Everything was amazing and I’m really thankful.
— Child
It’s really supportive and helpful. Knowing I can off load any concerns I have and feel I am listened to. The advice given has helped me tremendously.
— Parent at drop-in hub
This service has provided a lifeline to our children. The difference this has made also has a systemic and positive impact on the whole family.
— School
Paul and Jimmy's story…
Case study*
Paul came to our drop-in hub looking for urgent help during a really difficult time. He is the grandfather of Jimmy, who had recently been placed in his care by children’s social services because of domestic abuse and trauma in Jimmy’s birth family. Paul was in crisis, both he and Jimmy needed immediate therapeutic support…
*The names of the people in this case study have been changed for confidentiality purposes.
