Our story

Acacia was founded in 2004 by two mothers, Emma Borg and Rachel Gregory, who both experienced postnatal depression and anxiety and were inspired to create support for other families in similar situations. After a period of recovery, one of our co-founders, Emma Borg, was given this verse when she felt God speak to her about starting Acacia. She was particularly drawn to the image of the acacia tree - a tree which thrives in the driest and most barren places, Isaiah 41:17-20.

17 The poor and needy search for water,
    but there is none;
    their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
    I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
    and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
    and the parched ground into springs.
19 I will put in the desert
    the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set junipers in the wasteland,
    the fir and the cypress together,
20 so that people may see and know,
    may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
    that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Today, Acacia seeks to be a place of shelter, of hope and healing to families experiencing perinatal mental health.

It is run by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, most of whom have personally experienced and recovered from perinatal mental health and is a welcoming, compassionate organisation rooted in Christian faith, offering support to families of all faiths or none.