Bringing the Community Together: Highlights from Acorn’s 2026 Roundtable Event
Last week we had the pleasure of hosting our annual Acorn Foundation Roundtable, bringing together charities and community organisations from across the Western Bay of Plenty.
It’s always one of the most inspiring days on the Acorn calendar. When you get this many people in a room who care deeply about their community, you’re reminded just how much incredible work is happening across our region every single day.
The Round Table is an opportunity for organisations supported by Acorn and our donor funds to come together and share a little about the work they’re doing and the impact that support is helping make possible. Throughout the day we heard stories from groups working across youth development, education, health, arts, environmental projects, and social services, each one offering a small window into the difference being made in our community.
Just as importantly, the day is about connection. For many organisations it’s a chance to meet others doing similar work, swap ideas, share challenges, and celebrate wins together. It’s a really special reminder that while each group has its own mission, everyone is contributing to the same bigger goal, building a stronger and more connected community.
This year’s Round Table also included a series of practical workshops designed to help charities build their skills and share their stories more effectively. I had the chance to run a session on visual storytelling, exploring how organisations can create simple videos using tools they already have, like their smartphones and Canva.
One of the biggest myths about video is that you need expensive gear or professional editing software. In reality, most organisations already have everything they need to get started. During the workshop we walked through a simple framework for capturing real moments at events and turning those clips into short videos that can be shared across social media, websites, and newsletters.
One of the best parts of the Round Table is simply getting everyone in the same room. Hearing what organisations have been working on, the challenges they’re navigating, and the difference they’re making in people’s lives is always incredibly inspiring.
To everyone who came along and shared a piece of their story with us, thank you. It was a privilege to hear about the work happening across our region.