Anabranch Plus is an organisation focused on empowering individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, particularly serving prisoners, prison leavers and stakeholders.
By providing tailored workshops, mentoring and programme development, we support need individuals their journey towards successful reintegration into society and the workforce
Anabranch Meaning
The word "Anabranch" refers to a branch of a river that separates and flows away from the main channel, only to rejoin it further downstream.
Just as an anabranch diverges from the main river, individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system often find themselves on a detour from the mainstream path of society.
At Anabranch Plus, we recognise that these divergent paths, while challenging, are not permanent. Our goal is to serve as the "plus“, the guiding force that reconnects these individuals with the main course of life, empowering them to navigate their way back to a fulfilling and productive journey.
Our Services
Empowerment Academy
Our Empowerment Academy has a clear focus on providing prison leavers with essential life skills for successful reintegration and navigating the internal and external challenges they are facing.
Digital Bridges
Our Digital Bridges workshops are geared towards preparing participants for the tech-driven job market of today and tomorrow.
Employment Workshops
Employment Workshops
Our Employability workshops ensure our participants are equipped with the right skills and knowledge to navigate a competitive job market.
Empower Her Future
Public Sector Social Value Consultancy
Employment Workshops
Empower Her Future, is a specialised programme designed to equip female prison leavers with the tools, confidence and support they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.
Public Sector Social Value Consultancy
Public Sector Social Value Consultancy
Public Sector Social Value Consultancy
Our experienced SME's can support your CJS initiatives, social value commitments, help design and deliver programmes.
Our Mentoring Services
At Anabranch Plus, our commitment goes beyond workshops, we provide expert mentoring services that support participants every step of the way. Led by our founder Omar Mentesh and experienced team, our mentoring programmes are deeply rooted in social value and a genuine understanding of the journey toward rehabilitation and reintegration. With extensive lived and professional experience within the criminal justice system, they have guided countless individuals as they rebuild their lives. Their insights into the challenges faced by prison leavers form the foundation of our mission to create meaningful second chances.
We’re proud to collaborate with a skilled and compassionate team of experts, each bringing specialised knowledge to our programs. Our mentors work closely with participants, both during and beyond our workshops, ensuring they receive the guidance, encouragement and tools they need to succeed.
Our core team and advisors includes:
· Rehabilitation and CJS experts who understand the nuances and challenges prison leavers face, but also the opportunity for growth and breaking the cycle of crime and imprisonment.
· An Adult Social Worker with vast experience in supporting adults with complex needs, bringing essential insights into personalised support.
· A Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) with over 20 years of expertise, dedicated to helping individuals overcome educational and developmental challenges.
· Business Mentors who are members of the Association of Business Mentors, offering professional insights and advice on career development.
· Leading industry experts who provide hands on support, offering both guidance and building career pathways.
· Experienced Peer-Mentors who have first-hand knowledge of the reintegration process, providing invaluable support and guidance to help participants navigate similar paths.
Our Core Team
Lucy Hubbard
Lead Rehabilitation Coordinator:
Logistics and Haulage Sectors
Lucy leads our rehabilitation work within the logistics and haulage sectors, bringing her commercial insight, passion for social impact and operational expertise to support prison leavers in securing meaningful employment and building sustainable futures.
Caroline Cook
Design and Delivery Coordinator: Empower Her Future
Caroline draws on both her professional skills and personal experience to support women impacted by the criminal justice system.
With 15 years of lived experience, Caroline understands first-hand the barriers women face when rebuilding their lives and underpins her trauma-informed, peer-led focused support.
Catherine McGuiness
Catherine McGuiness
Women's Reintegration and Service Coordinator
Catherine is the Women’s Reintegration and Service coordinator, where she brings together professional knowledge, academic insight and lived experience to support women leaving custody. She is committed to challenging systemic inequalities and ensuring that women in contact with the criminal j
Women's Reintegration and Service Coordinator
Catherine is the Women’s Reintegration and Service coordinator, where she brings together professional knowledge, academic insight and lived experience to support women leaving custody. She is committed to challenging systemic inequalities and ensuring that women in contact with the criminal justice system are met with dignity, trauma-informed care and meaningful opportunities for reintegration.
Our Founder
Omar Mentesh
As the Founder of Anabranch Plus, Omar Mentesh is the driving force behind a transformative approach to rehabilitation, mentoring, and employment support for prison leavers. His lived experience, combined with his academic background in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, has enabled him to build a unique and impactful organisation that bridges the gap between rehabilitation and sustainable employment.
With a deep understanding of the barriers faced by prison leavers, Omar has dedicated his career to breaking cycles of reoffending, providing individuals with the skills, confidence, and networks they need to thrive in society. His expertise extends beyond mentoring, as he has worked across corporate social value, employment training and business consultancy, supporting organisations in their social responsibility commitments.
Omar is recognised as a leading voice in criminal justice reform and rehabilitation. He is a guest speaker, consultant, and mentor, working alongside universities, businesses and justice-focused charities to create meaningful opportunities for those seeking a second chance. His ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life, from prison leavers to business leaders, has made Anabranch Plus a game-changer in rehabilitation and employment services.
At Anabranch Plus, Omar continues to pioneer innovative programmes, mentor individuals seeking change, and collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure that prison leavers are equipped not just to survive, but to succeed.
Our Company Director
Les Gill
At Anabranch Plus, we are proud to welcome Les Gill to our leadership team as Company Director. Les brings a wealth of expertise in mentoring, strategic growth and organisational transformation, making him an invaluable asset in our mission to support prison leavers on their journey towards employment and self-sufficiency.
With extensive first-hand experience in mentoring and guiding individuals through the challenges of reintegration, Les is deeply committed to empowering prison leavers with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed in society. His work aligns perfectly with our vision of bridging the gap between rehabilitation, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Les is an award-winning mentor, recognised as the 2024 UK National Award winner for Innovation in Mentoring and previously nominated for Greatest Impact and Best Contribution in Business Coaching/Mentoring. His expertise extends beyond mentoring, having held executive and non-executive roles, he provides strategic insight into business development, leadership, and innovation, particularly within SMEs.
As a Fellow of the Association of Business Mentors (ABM) and a professional member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), Les is committed to excellence in mentoring and professional development. His expertise ensures that Anabranch Plus delivers high-quality, impactful programmes that transform lives and create long-term success for our participants.
Holding an MBA from Warwick Business School and as a Fellow of the RSA, Les brings a forward-thinking, solution-driven approach to our work. His background in technology, innovation and business mentoring enhances our ability to develop and deliver transformative programmes that create lasting social and economic impact.
At Anabranch Plus, Les plays a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction, strengthening our mentoring and employment initiatives and driving meaningful change for those seeking a fresh start.
Contact Us
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Hours
Today | By Appointment |
