About us

New Beginnings Foundation CIO is a charity with registration number: 1198338

New Beginnings is a concept which has been inspired by the research carried out by Dr Jadwiga Leigh, the Founder of the organisation.

Comparative research carried out by Dr Leigh (2013; 2014; 2017) into the way in which social work services were provided in Flanders (North Belgium) and England, found that in Flanders community projects which focused on supporting parents to understand how their past experiences were affecting their children, were far more effective than parenting programmes.

Dr Leigh's research showed that once parents were provided with the time and space to meet other parents in similar situations, and together reflect on the current issues they faced, they were able to see their situations differently and effect positive change for their family.

An intrinsic part of New Beginnings is to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma by deepening the parents' understanding of who they are and why they parent in the way that they do. This method is rooted in the recognition that if children are to feel safe at home, then parents need to be provided with the space to learn how their past has affected their lives through the telling and sharing of their personal histories.