Birmingham, UK – 29th January 2025 – After ten years of dedicated service to the community, New Leaf Initiative CIC announces with deep regret that it will cease operations on 28th February 2025. The decision to close comes at a time when funding challenges, contractual uncertainties, and economic pressures have brought the organisation’s long-term viability into sharp focus. Rather than continuing amidst unrelenting uncertainty, we have made the difficult but proactive choice to end this journey on a high—closing in an orderly manner, ensuring our colleagues have real options for their futures, and concluding this chapter with dignity and gratitude.

Founded in 2014 by Marie-Claire O’Brien, New Leaf has been instrumental in supporting over 2,600 individuals facing complex barriers to employment, particularly those within the criminal justice system. Marie-Claire, an award-winning leader, established New Leaf with a mission to harness lived experience to engage and empower marginalised individuals. Under her guidance, the organisation developed comprehensive rehabilitation pathways across many prison projects and contracts from their head office in central Birmingham, focusing on helping people stabilise their lives, gain qualifications, and secure meaningful employment. Alongside this, service users shared their experiences through consultations and research to advocate for broader system change.

The success of New Leaf is a testament to its dedicated staff and volunteers, all of whom have personal experience of the criminal justice and surrounding systems. Their unwavering commitment has led to life-changing outcomes, supporting over 2,600 individuals. Among those engaged with New Leaf’s training academy, 79% stated they felt more stable in their lives due to the support they received, 100% said they had improved their skills, and 81% felt they had better confidence and self-esteem as a result of the organisation’s support. Additionally, 62% of students reported progressing in the world of work following their involvement with New Leaf—a significant achievement, given that the national average for finding work post-release stands at just 17% (UK Co-op).

Marie-Claire O’Brien has written extensively about the challenges and successes of rehabilitation, sharing client journeys that highlight the transformative impact of meaningful support. These include a young woman who, after leaving prison, secured a job in construction and later started her own business, and a young man with youth convictions who completed a traineeship and CSCS qualification with New Leaf. At just 22, he is now a site manager studying for a degree in construction management. “Stories like these show the power of real opportunity,” she wrote. “Given the right support, people don’t just survive—they thrive!” (UK Co-op).

Reflecting on the journey of New Leaf, Marie-Claire O’Brien said:

“It has been an honour to work alongside such a passionate team and to witness the incredible resilience and growth of our clients. While this chapter is ending, the impact of our work will live on in the lives we have touched and the barriers we have broken down.”

As New Leaf Initiative CIC concludes its operations, the organisation extends heartfelt gratitude to its staff, volunteers, partners, investors, donors, and the community for their unwavering support over the past decade.

Prepared by Mark Simms, CEO of P3 Charity, on behalf of the New Leaf Board

Media Contact:

Marie-Claire O’Brien
Founder and CEO, New Leaf Initiative CIC
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07584 284335