Growing community connections together
At The Acorn Project, we invite you to learn, heal, and grow. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us.
About The Acorn Project
Acorn Pathways
Acorn Pathways
Acorn Pathways
At The Acorn Project, we provide learning, mentoring, and practical guidance to help people build skills, confidence, and positive routes forward. From education and employability to housing and community support, we work alongside partners to create real opportunities for change. If you want to learn more about our initiatives, feel free to contact us.
Acorn Active
Acorn Pathways
Acorn Pathways
Through physical activity, we create safe spaces for routine, connection, and confidence. At The Acorn Project, our sessions support both physical and mental wellbeing while strengthening community bonds. If you're interested in joining us, feel free to contact us.
Acorn Wellness
Acorn Pathways
Acorn Wellness
Our wellbeing hub, part of The Acorn Project, offers trauma-informed support to help people regulate, recover, and rebuild. From therapeutic and holistic sessions to outdoor wellbeing activities, we provide inclusive spaces for emotional healing and personal growth. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us.
Our team
Samantha Compton
Founder & CEO
The Acorn Project
Pathways | Active | Wellbeing
Samantha is the Founder and CEO of The Acorn Project, leading a connected ecosystem that combines wellbeing, education, sport and community support for people of all ages.
With a background as a Creative Director in London, she has delivered major campaigns, partnerships and CSR programmes across global brands and multiple industries, bringing creative leadership and strategic clarity to every environment she builds.
Samantha founded Acorn to create a more joined‑up, relational and preventative model of support one that works alongside existing services to strengthen early intervention, remove barriers and provide safe, consistent pathways.
She leads Acorn’s strategic direction, safeguarding approach and operational design, ensuring every strand of the organisation reflects the same commitment to compassion, structure and opportunity.
Suzanne Dempsey
Wellbeing Practitioner
Wellbeing
Suzanne is a trauma‑informed Wellbeing Practitioner, leading early‑intervention and stabilisation support focused on emotional regulation, nervous‑system health and functional wellbeing.
Her work is grounded in a structured, evidence‑informed model that supports individuals and families experiencing anxiety, trauma impact, neurodivergent burnout and periods of heightened stress, particularly while awaiting assessment or specialist support.
Suzanne delivers a tiered wellbeing programme that includes universal prevention and community connection, targeted stabilisation groups, and time‑limited 1:1 intervention. Her approach prioritises safety, regulation, and measurable outcomes, helping people build resilience and readiness for next‑step care.
Known for her calm, attuned and non‑judgemental style, Suzanne creates supportive spaces where individuals can stabilise, develop practical regulation tools and restore confidence in daily life.
As part of Acorn Wellbeing, she contributes to a preventative, community‑based model that reduces escalation into crisis and strengthens long‑term emotional wellbeing.
Karl Duguid
Director of Coaching UK
Active
Karl is the Director of Coaching (UK) at Acorn Active, bringing over two decades of experience across professional football, youth development and high‑performance coaching environments.
His leadership shapes the technical and cultural identity of the Acorn Academy, where he oversees all coaching delivery, player development frameworks and standards across the programme.
Known for his calm, consistent and detail‑driven approach, Karl creates environments where young people feel supported, capable and inspired to grow.
As part of Acorn’s leadership team, he also plays a key role in long‑term football strategy, coach education and the development of Acorn’s national pathways.
His commitment to excellence ensures every player and coach experiences the highest standard of development within the Academy.
Ross Barnard
Football Director UK
Active
Ross is the Director of Football & Operations (UK) at Acorn Active, bringing extensive experience in grassroots football leadership, programme design and operational delivery.
He plays a central role in shaping the football identity, structure and long‑term development of the Acorn Academy, ensuring every environment reflects the organisation’s commitment to high standards and meaningful opportunities.
Ross oversees the operational framework of the Academy, working closely with the Director of Coaching to align delivery, coach development and strategic planning.
His background in building inclusive, community‑driven football programmes gives Acorn a strong foundation for national expansion and future pathways.
Passionate about creating positive, consistent environments, Ross ensures every player and coach benefits from a culture rooted in growth, belonging and excellence.
Molly Burch
Trainee Coach UK
Active
Molly is a Trainee Coach within Acorn Active, developing her coaching practice under the guidance of Acorn’s senior leadership.
With a strong passion for youth development and lived experience within the game, she brings empathy, energy and a people‑centred approach to every environment she supports.
Molly contributes to the delivery of player‑focused sessions across the Academy, helping young people build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging through football.
As she works toward her coaching qualifications, she plays an important role in supporting session standards, assisting with player development frameworks and modelling Acorn’s values of safety, consistency and positive relationships.
Her commitment to creating inclusive, encouraging spaces makes her a valued member of Acorn’s growing coaching team.
Our Partners
