Oxford-brewer Tap Social Movement has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support its next development stage and enable it to continue offering life-changing interventions for prison leavers.

Co-founded by criminal barrister Paul Humpherson and sisters Amy and Tess Taylor in 2016, Tap Social provides training, support and fulfilling employment for prisoners and prison leavers.

CAMRA members heard Humpherson speak at Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference 2023 in Sheffield, where he described how the organisation has created more than 80,000 hours of paid employment for people from prison, and reached more than 500 prisoners via job fairs, workshops and other initiatives.

Tap Social has grown from just five people to more than 55 employees and expanded to six sites across Oxfordshire, including a production brewery in Kidlington and Proof Social Bakehouse, a wholesale bakery and community café located in its former brewing premises in Kennington.

Around 30 per cent of its staff have lived experience of the UK’s criminal justice system.

“We’re really proud of our accomplishments so far, most importantly the positive impact that we’ve worked so hard to make in people’s lives after prison,” said Tess Taylor.

“We are so grateful for the unbelievable support of our community, which has enabled us to grow and offer these life-changing interventions.

"This campaign will help us stay on track, bring new inclusive products to market, and most importantly enable us to continue supporting some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities.”

Tap Social offers a range of rewards for pledges to its crowdfunding campaign, including gift card bonuses, monthly beer deliveries for a year, wedding package discounts, a takeover of its production brewery and more.

The campaign runs until 3 January 2024.

CAMRA Oxford branch member Dave Richardson said: “We are huge supporters of Tap Social for bringing flair and innovation to the Oxfordshire brewing scene, and for its very worthwhile work rehabilitating ex-prisoners.

“When you consider that the founders could have set up a completely different kind of business in pursuit of this aim, we are grateful that it spotted the trend towards craft beers and set up a brewery.”

For more visit crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tap-social