Our Impact
Since 2014, Cambridge Acorn Project has provided direct mental health support to over 2,000 children. Behind every number is a child, a family and a story of change. Together, these stories show what's possible when children and families are listened to, understood and supported over time.
Explore our impact:
During the academic year 2024-2025 we supported…
869 children
128 schools
114 parents and carers
There were 822
contacts with parents/carers through our community wellbeing hubs
22%
more children and young people were supported than the previous year
82%
of young people in our social prescribing project saw improvement in the concern that mattered most to them
443 children received long term packages of therapeutic support shaped around their individual needs.
What people have said about our support:
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.
Recent publications
What matters to us: children’s stories of health and wellbeing commissioned by East Cambridgeshire Integrated Neighbourhood and delivered in partnership with Fullscope and Cambridge Acorn Project. This creative work listened to the primary aged children in Soham and is summarised here with more details and a short film here.
“You should be really liberated when you’re doing it”: Voices of children accessing therapy, our participatory research report funded by The National Lottery.
