Acorn Impact

We are committed to creating positive social, economic, and environmental impacts within our communities UK-wide.

Introduction

At Acorn by Synergie, we are passionate about supporting our communities and creating as much social value as we can. People are central to our business, and we want to make a lasting, positive impact on their futures.

We have created and been at the heart of many social value initiatives over the years, and we wanted to make a bigger commitment – that’s why we launched Acorn Impact. This is basically a promise to help create meaningful social, economic, and environmental changes across the UK. Through Acorn Impact, we hope to partner and support many different initiatives, and really help to make a difference.

Our 5 Pillars

Our strategy is built around five key pillars that define how we engage with candidates, clients, suppliers, and the wider communities.

Aiming to reduce inequalities and providing equal opportunities for people from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential.

Building relationships with local communities, supporting local community causes and committing Acorn Impact volunteering days.

Ensuring products and services are sourced from suppliers that respect human rights, minimise environmental impact and uphold ethical standards.

Minimising our environmental impact, reduce resource consumption, and contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

Creating a supportive and engaging workplace where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to reach their full potential.

10,000 hours

While all 5 pillars are vital, our flagship focus for the next three years is Social Mobility. We’re dedicated to helping individuals from challenging or marginalised backgrounds access opportunities to improve their futures. Our pledge is to work towards 10,000 hours of company time dedicated to enhancing social mobility.

Social mobility is the ability for individuals to move up or down the social and economic ladder, regardless of their background. It’s about creating opportunities for everyone to improve their lives based on skills and effort, not their circumstances or family history.

For the next three years, we’re committed to tackling social mobility because businesses play a crucial role in addressing societal challenges. At Acorn by Synergie, we’re not just connecting talent with opportunities; we’re working to help people from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds access those opportunities too.

Many face barriers to career progression, including:

Lack of career guidance
Low confidence
Skill gaps
Criminal records
Disabilities
Financial constraints
Language barriers
Discrimination and unconscious bias

Through Acorn Impact Workshops, Insite Sessions, and our Reconstruct Programme, we actively promote social mobility. We’re also partnering with new community projects to reach our goal of 10,000 hours of social mobility initiatives.

Join us in supporting social mobility. We can help with CV workshops, employment access insights, or hands-on guidance to help more people get into work. Or, partner with us on one of our existing initiatives!

Acorn Impact Workshops & Insite Sessions

Acorn Impact Workshops and Insite Sessions offer jobseekers expert advice on re-entering the workforce, with each session focusing on a different sector. At our launch, leading companies like Smiths and Maximus joined a special event highlighting opportunities in manufacturing and production.

Community Engagement

Through partnerships with organisations like Seetec, Maximus, and Job Centres, we connect underrepresented talent with opportunities, offering workshops, mentoring, and networking events to support career growth.

Reconstruct Programme

The Reconstruct Programme helps individuals with convictions find employment. In partnership with HMPPS, we work in Welsh prisons and HMP Bristol to prepare individuals for construction roles as they approach the end of their sentence.