Who we are

We are Cambridge Acorn Project. We provide life-changing support to children and their families who have experienced trauma and abuse and are living in poverty. We are a small local charity that has a huge impact on families and communities across Cambridgeshire. Our team is made up of dedicated Social Workers, Counsellors and Therapists. We work with children and their families who have experienced, domestic, sexual, emotional and/or physical abuse. As well as this, we work with single-incident trauma such as house fires, floods, or traumatic loss. Cambridge Acorn Project works with some of the most complex cases in Cambridgeshire including children who have witnessed murder and similarly horrific crimes. Many families we support have experienced profound intergenerational trauma. Our work is about breaking cycles of trauma and poverty, tackling the inequality that stems from adverse childhood experiences, and helping children and families to emotionally recover.

“I have nothing but praise. You’ve changed his life” – Parent

What we do

The effects of trauma and abuse are complex, long-lasting and different for everyone. When we start working with a new family, we take the time to look at the whole context surrounding them. We then create a bespoke panoramic package of therapeutic support that is unique to them.

We work with the child and family to create the best support for them. For example, a child may be offered weekly sessions with one of our art therapists, taking place at school for a full school year. We then may also fund some swimming lessons, to help build the child’s self-esteem and resilience. And if we think the child may need additional support at school, we’ll work with the school and other professionals to help put that in place too. At the same time, we could invite the child’s parents to one of our weekly wellbeing hubs, an informal safe space run by volunteers and professionals. After spending time with the family, we may learn that their lounge only has a concrete floor, so we’ll find funding for carpet which means that the family can play together. Finally, we may also help them get free legal support with issues to do with housing or debt.

“I’ve been having bad thoughts a lot less now. So, I think it has helped because I also now believe that I don’t think I need to continue therapy at secondary school. So I think it has helped a lot” – Child

Our Impact

• In 2022/23 we provided long-term support to more than 350 local children and families
• We worked in 97 schools across Cambridgeshire
• 86% of people asked told us that our work had helped them
• 85.7% of responding schools reported it was ‘certainly true’ or ‘partly true’ that the Cambridge Acorn Project helped children to increase attendance and engagement.

“This service has saved my sanity and given us hope for the future. I don’t know what would have happened without the understanding, support and encouragement I’ve gained.” – Parent

Supporting us

We’ve seen a big increase in demand for our services recently. Fundraising for the Cambridge Acorn Project means that we could support more local children and their families. It costs us between £1,000 – £3,000 a year to offer a panoramic package of therapeutic support, which gives a real opportunity for a child and their family to emotionally recover.   By helping to fund our work, you could help to change the lives of people in your local community.

It costs an average of £10 to fund one week’s enrichment activity for a child. It costs £50 for one week of casework support for a family.

£70 funds one week of therapeutic support for a child and their family. This includes therapy and counselling for a child, as well as ongoing communication and support for the wider family.

£100 will fund a creative package of support to help families to build attachment in the home.

It costs between £1,000 and £3,000 a year to provide a family with a complete panoramic package of support.

It costs between £25,000 – £50,000 to fund one of our local wellbeing hubs for a year.

We’re a small dedicated charity and we’d love to help you with your fundraising efforts. To talk to us about supporting our work, please contact Hannah Golding (hannah.golding@cambridgeacornproject.org.uk).

“You guys help me to keep it together when I didn’t know what to do and where to turn. I cannot thank you enough. You all were my saving grace in times of huge distress and difficulty when I was not able to find someone to hear my concerns. I cannot thank you enough.” – Parent