Family Compass

18/03/2026

Happy Wednesday everyone!

On a day like today, parking a little further away to walk to the office doesn't feel like a chore.

05/03/2026

📚 Happy everyone!

Today we’re celebrating the power of books to help children, young people, and families understand big emotions, work through challenges, and navigate life’s ups and downs.

We’re sharing some of our favourite books and resources that we use to support conversations about feelings, resilience, and wellbeing. 💬

We’d love to hear from you too!

What books or resources have helped you or your child talk about emotions or feel supported? Feel free to share your recommendations - and any photos from your World Book Day celebrations! 📖

04/03/2026

Our amazing co-founder Lucy, along with her husband Jim, are taking on the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise funds for the incredible charity PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Su***de 💛

As part of their fundraising, they’re hosting a Quiz Night in Braunton on Saturday 4th April, and we’re so grateful that the raffle proceeds will be donated to Family Compass.

So if you fancy an evening of fun, cake, brain-teasing questions and a bit of friendly bamboozlement, come along and help support not one, but TWO fantastic charities!

Bring your friends, your quiz brains, and your competitive spirit - we’d love to see you there 🙌

***de

23/02/2026

Our last minute legend Lucille was out in all weathers last week, training her socks off in preparation for the ... which is less than 9 weeks away! 💪🌧🏃‍♀️

We can't change the weather, but let's show our support by sponsoring her...every penny helps children and families in North Devon struggling with mental health challenges 💛

https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/lucille-ackland

23/02/2026

What an incredible evening at Caroline’s Charity Quiz Night! 🎉

Although Caroline is sadly injured and no longer able to run the London Marathon herself, she hasn’t let that stop her. Instead, with the help of the always fabulous Jennie, she organised and hosted her own quiz night last week to continue raising money for us – and thanks to her amazing efforts (and your generosity!) she raised over £600.

We’re so grateful for Caroline’s determination and commitment to supporting our work, even when things didn’t go to plan. That kind of dedication truly means the world.

A huge thank you to for kindly hosting the event, and to everyone who came along, bought raffle tickets and supported Caroline’s fundraising.

What a brilliant show of community spirit!

16/02/2026

📢 Volunteer Treasurer Opportunity

Are you a finance professional looking to use your skills for meaningful impact - or gain valuable board-level experience?

Family Compass, a children’s mental health charity, is seeking a volunteer Treasurer (Trustee).

🕒 4–6 hours per month

📍 Quarterly in-person board meetings in Barnstaple, North Devon, otherwise potentially remote

💼 Board-level governance role

❤️ Direct impact on children and families

This role would suit a retired finance professional looking to give back, or someone developing their finance career who wants trustee experience within a regulated charity.

You’ll oversee financial governance, support budgeting and strategic planning, and help safeguard the sustainability of our services.

If you’re interested in strengthening children’s mental health provision in our community, we’d love to hear from you.

For more info and to download a role spec, go to https://www.familycompass.co.uk/

or email keda.johnstone@familycompass.co.uk

15/02/2026

We urge EVERYONE with experience of adoption support to add your voice to this much overdue consultation ⏬⏬⏬

📣Adoption UK welcomes the publication today of a government consultation on the future of adoption support, after many months of campaigning for this, alongside adoptees, families and sector partners.

🗣️The consultation is open for 12 weeks, and we urge all those eligible to respond to do so here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/adoption-support-that-works-for-all

Adoption UK will be sharing further thoughts on the outline proposals and opportunities to feed into our response in due course.

👉Please see our initial response here: https://ow.ly/OXYz50Ycoqz

13/02/2026

A MASSIVE thank you to the fabulous Lucille for stepping up to run the TCS London Marathon for us after our lovely runner Caroline was sadly injured 💛🏃‍♀️

We had so many incredible people apply (thank you to every single one of you!), but to keep it fair we pulled a name out of a hat - and Lucille was our lucky pick! We just know she’s going to be amazing.

Lucille says:
"I'm so excited (and a little nervous!) to be running the London Marathon for Family Compass – my very first marathon! I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support such an amazing charity and can't wait to take on this challenge."

Meanwhile, Caroline is still very much part of the team and continuing to support our fundraising efforts 🙌 We truly have a dream team, and we know they’ll do us proud.

Let’s get behind Lucille as she takes on her first ever marathon! 💜

12/02/2026

Just...wow!

Look what the wonderful Annie Williams has donated to Family Compass...an abundance of multi-coloured twine and wool which the children we support will LOVE to get creative with in their sessions 🧶🧵

Thank you so much for thinking of us Annie!