Member updates

Multi award-winning Oxford social enterprise Tap Social Movement has opened Day Release, its largest venue to date and a vibrant new all-day café, bar and community space at Signal Yard, Milton Park's new £14 million social and retail destination. Marking a significant milestone in Tap Social's growth, Day Release is the organisation's fourth community venue, first purpose-built location and largest to date, spanning two floors across approximately 3,563 sq ft (331 sq m). For the first time, the venue brings together Tap Social's bakery, pizza kitchen, café, bar, brewing school, and events under one roof, creating a welcoming destination for Milton Park occupiers, visitors and the wider Oxfordshire community. Featuring playful, hand-painted murals by Oxford artist Lisa Made It, Day Release offers: Fresh bread and pastries from Tap Social's bakery, Proof Social Bakehouse Hand-stretched sourdough pizzas Fresh salads and sandwiches A full bar with 10 draught lines plus canned beers, showcasing Tap Social’s independent beer range Barista-made coffee from fellow Oxford social enterprise NewGround Coffee Brew School, where groups can brew their own beer alongside Tap Social's professional brewers. The two-storey venue will be home to around 16 staff and continues Tap Social's mission to create meaningful employment opportunities for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system while creating a welcoming place for everyone. The opening of Day Release marks another milestone in Tap Social's growth. Building on the success of The Market Tap in Oxford's Covered Market, The Taproom in Botley and Proof Social Bakehouse in Kennington, Day Release becomes the organisation's fourth community venue in Oxfordshire. Together, Tap Social's brewery, bakery and hospitality businesses employ around 60 people. Since it was founded in 2016, Tap Social has created more than 115,000 hours of paid employment for people in prison and prison leavers, demonstrating how commercial success and social impact can go hand in hand. Tess Taylor, co-founder and director of Tap Social Movement, said: “Day Release is the culmination of everything that Tap Social has built over the last decade. It's our most ambitious venue to date and, for the first time, brings together our bakery, café, pizza kitchen, taproom and brewing experiences in one exciting, friendly space. “Hospitality is an incredible way to bring people together. Every coffee served, every meal shared and every shift worked helps create opportunities for people rebuilding their lives after contact with the criminal justice system. We're incredibly proud to be opening Day Release at Milton Park and to join the community at Signal Yard, a place where everyone is welcome. It’s been an absolute pleasure bringing Day Release to life and working alongside the team at Milton Park and Federated Hermes.” Day Release is the anchor tenant at Signal Yard, Milton Park's new social and retail destination, representing a £14 million investment in enhancing the Park's occupier experience and creating a vibrant place for people to meet, eat, work and spend time together. Spanning four sensitively repurposed buildings, Signal Yard provides 17 independent retail and hospitality units across two floors, together with landscaped public spaces and a carefully curated mix of independent operators serving Milton Park's 280 occupiers, visitors and the wider community. Clare Fleet, asset manager for Milton Park at Federated Hermes Real Estate, said: “Bringing Day Release to Signal Yard is a real milestone for us and something we've been working towards for a number of years. From the very beginning, our ambition was to create somewhere with character and purpose, championing independent businesses that bring something genuinely different to Milton Park and the wider community. “Tap Social is an exceptional organisation. Not only do they produce outstanding food, coffee and craft beer, they also transform lives by creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with convictions. That combination of commercial excellence and social impact makes them an incredible partner, and we're immensely proud they've chosen Signal Yard as the home for Day Release. “As Milton Park continues to grow, it's important that we're creating more than just places to work. Signal Yard has been designed as a destination where people can meet, connect and spend time together, and Day Release perfectly embodies that vision.” Day Release is open Monday to Wednesday, 7.30am-4pm; Thursday and Friday, 7.30am-9pm; and Saturday, 9am-9pm. The venue is closed on Sundays. About Tap Social Movement With a shared passion for social justice and independent beer, Paul Humpherson and sisters Amy and Tess Taylor founded Tap Social Movement in 2016 to provide support, training, and fulfilling employment to people who have had contact with the criminal justice system. To date Tap Social has created more than 115,000 hours of paid employment for people in prison and prison leavers. It is currently the UK’s “Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year” as awarded by Social Enterprise UK. In addition to its commercial production brewery and bakery, Tap Social currently runs four Oxfordshire community venues. Learn more at tapsocialmovement.com.

Unity Trust Bank’s half year results show its customer base reached a record high of over 11,800 while deposits surpassed £2bn for the first time. Organisations choosing business banking with Unity supported £155.7m in new lending in the first six months of 2026 – up seven per cent from the same period last year. Almost half of this financing met the ABC of Enterprise Impact ‘C – Contribute to Solutions’ grade, meaning the loans actively addressed social or environmental challenges. As the award-winning social impact bank continues to make a difference where it is needed most, 64% of loans were distributed to disadvantaged communities driving purposeful change. Unity is committed to working with sectors that improve local communities such as health and social care, housing and education. Funding between January to June helped to support 4,784 homes; 646 care beds, 235 day care spaces; 3,263 jobs and over 2.5m prescriptions. Unity also helped over 150 small businesses by providing just under £14m to seven Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). Unity’s profitability remains strong, despite the uncertain economic environment and the bank’s strategic investment in infrastructure and customer service, with profit before tax standing at £22.8m (HY 25: £28.6m). Colin Fyfe, CEO at Unity Trust Bank, said: “We believe that who you bank with matters – and our customers know that their money will only be used to support organisations that improve local communities in the UK. “Surpassing £2bn in deposits is an important milestone for us. It enables us to keep supporting our socially-minded customers to deliver positive impact. “We started this year with a clear purpose-led growth ambition to increase the scale of our lending, customer base and impact while maintaining financial resilience and disciplined risk management. I’m delighted to say that we are achieving that. “We’ve also retained our investment grade credit rating from global ratings agency Fitch, which is testament to Unity’s maturity, strength and resilience.” Unity has already exceeded its cumulative green lending target by nearly 200%. This has been achieved through funding allocated to high energy efficiency properties and Green Tariff loans, which help customers decarbonise their facilities and invest in nature-based solutions. Last year Unity became the first bank to help councils tackle climate change by investing £6.3m in Local Climate Bonds. A further £1.4m was invested in the first half of 2026, supporting six local authorities. In addition, Unity provided £102m to support nine local authorities through Money Market loans. Unity has also delivered improvements to its customer experience journeys, making business banking easier, faster and more inclusive for customers. Customer satisfaction scores increased to 85% in June, and the bank’s commitment to customer service was awarded the Service Mark Accreditation from the Institute of Customer Service. Through the Unity & Me employee forum, 39 good causes benefitted from over £46,400 worth of grants and donations – with the aim of reaching £80,000 by the end of 2026. Colin added: “Unity remains committed to delivering sustainable, purpose-led growth through our double bottom line strategy and we will continue to support organisations delivering positive change and creating long-term value for communities across the UK.” unity.co.uk About Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank has been around for over 40 years, but demand for our way of banking has never been higher. We play a strategic role in the banking sector and economy. We serve unmet customer needs at a time when the frontline organisations that strong communities rely on need more, not less support. Today, over half of our lending goes to areas of high deprivation. Unity is a proven alternative business banking model with momentum and outsized impact. Our approach doesn’t put financial return above social or environmental impact. We recognise they all feed each other. We offer our customers deep expertise, long-term relationships, flexibility and a personal touch, giving security and confidence to the organisations that are the lifeblood of local economies. Our commitment to values-led banking has been recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, a national honour that reflects the positive impact we create alongside our customers and communities. Our ambition is to scale our approach, enabling more organisations to thrive, decarbonize and improve quality of life where it is needed most.

This Monday (10th), Turning Point released its annual social value report. This year the organisation has been able to evidence £171.95m in social value. However, our true social value goes far beyond that. It is the positive effect on people's lives and communities that is the true testament. Turning Point’s social impact includes the contributions it makes to local communities. It invested £10.79m in local voluntary community, social enterprise organisations. It supported dozens of organisations around the country such as Active Luton; Aspire Oxfordshire Community Enterprise; Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland; Healthwatch Herefordshire; Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest; and Suffolk Family Carers.  Julie Bass, Turning Point Chief Executive, said:  "Social value is an integral part of our vision. For more than 60 years, we have supported people to improve their health, wellbeing and independence, creating benefits that extend far beyond the services we deliver.   "This report demonstrates the difference Turning Point makes every day as a purpose-driven people-focussed business: supporting individuals to thrive, strengthening communities, reducing inequalities and creating lasting value for society.   "I am incredibly proud of the impact achieved by our colleagues, partners, volunteers and the people we support."  Read the report here turning-point.co.uk

On 7 August, Chris Sylvester, a recovering heroin addict, is going to sit in a bathtub in Leeds City Square for up to 3 days. He's doing it because he knows what it feels like to be trapped by addiction. He's doing it to try to raise £50k to help other people get clean. Two out of three employers say they wouldn’t employ a former crack or heroin addict. Unemployment is a clear driver of relapse. Getting Clean aims to smash the stigma around addiction and demonstrate that addicts can be some of the most productive members of society by employing recovering addicts to make and sell natural soap. It pledges to donate 50% of company profits to supporting people in recovery. It's mission is “to ensure that all addicts in the UK have access to peer support and employment opportunities”. Chris is the Founder of Getting Clean. After being introduced to heroin at the age of 12, Chris spent 20+ years in active addiction, meaning cycles of crime, prisons, hospitals and homelessness. At the age of 35 he found recovery. As soon as he got clean, he knew that he needed to help other people get clean too. After a few years in support work and running a community project, he realised the best way to help people get clean would be with soap. The event’s goal is to sell £50,000 of soap, which enables a £20,000 donation directly to a lived-experience recovery project led by Forward Leeds. Beyond the event, Getting Clean’s model channels support to people in recovery through both employment and its 50%-of-profits pledge. To find out more about the event, the life changing work carried out by Getting Clean, and how you can contribute through buying some soap visit gettingclean.co.uk/pages/tubtrap

Tarem Services Limited has expanded its national cleaning services across the CBRE and Zurich portfolio to 13 locations throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, further strengthening its position as a trusted national provider. The expansion reflects the continued confidence placed in Tarem Services by CBRE and Zurich and underlines the company's growing reputation for combining high-quality service delivery with meaningful social impact. Titus Komolafe, Managing Director of Tarem Services, said: "We are grateful for the continued trust placed in us by CBRE and Zurich. This expansion allows us to deliver high-quality services across more locations while creating employment opportunities and investing further in our communities. As a social enterprise, we remain committed to supporting our employees, tackling in-work poverty, and delivering meaningful value for our clients." Laura Bennett, CBRE Account Director, said: "Tarem Services has consistently delivered a high standard of service across the Zurich UK property portfolio. Their ability to combine innovative service delivery with a genuine commitment to social value has helped us achieve both our operational and wider social value objectives. Together with a highly competitive offering, this has made them a trusted partner and we are pleased to continue expanding our relationship with them.” As a result of this expansion and as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, Tarem Services has offset 20 tonnes of CO₂ through the Verified Carbon Standard with Carbon Footprint Ltd. Tarem Services has also purchased 10 UK Trees through the UK Tree Planting Programme, helping to support tree planting in schools and communities while promoting climate education. A further 10 Kenya Trees have been purchased to support reforestation projects in Kenya's Great Rift Valley, creating employment opportunities and helping to restore degraded land. About Tarem Services Founded in 1999 with support from The King's Trust, Tarem Services Limited is a social enterprise cleaning company committed to tackling in-work poverty and food insecurity through responsible business practices and community-led initiatives. The company provides office and school cleaning, construction labour supply, pest control, and waste management services across the United Kingdom and Ireland while remaining committed to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. taremservices.com

The Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, officially opened Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise’s (PDSE) Dental Education Practice in Plymouth city centre on Monday 29th June 2026, recognising an innovative partnership that is improving access to urgent NHS dental care while helping train the next generation of dental professionals. The Minister met staff from Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise, members of the Dental Task Force led by Plymouth City Council, and undergraduate dental students. Although the practice welcomed its first patients on 9th February 2026, the official opening marks an important milestone in celebrating the impact the service is already having across the region. By the end of May, the practice had delivered 2,756 dental appointments to 1,585 patients since opening, including urgent dental care for patients referred through NHS 111 with conditions such as dental pain, infection and dental trauma. Run by Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise in partnership with the University of Plymouth, the Dental Education Practice has been designed to help address the growing demand for urgent dental care while also providing valuable hands-on experience for the next generation of dental professionals. The practice brings together dental students, Foundation Dentists, qualified Dental Therapists and Dentists, and highly skilled Dental Nurses, all working collaboratively within a carefully supervised and patient-centred environment. This multidisciplinary model ensures patients receive high-quality treatment while students and trainees develop the clinical confidence and professional skills needed for their future careers. Designed to simulate a real dental practice within an accessible city-centre location, the facility offers a fundamentally different teaching experience from a traditional large teaching clinic. Students and trainees are able to work alongside specialists and qualified clinicians, broadening their experience across a wide range of clinical disciplines and gaining exposure to the collaborative nature of contemporary dental care. This approach supports both exceptional patient outcomes and outstanding educational development. This model reflects Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise’s wider commitment to combining excellent primary dental care with high-quality clinical placement opportunities for students. Robert Witton, Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise, said: “The official opening of our Dental Education Practice is an opportunity to celebrate what has already been achieved in just a few months. We’ve demonstrated that it is possible to improve access to NHS dental care while creating an outstanding learning environment for the next generation of dental professionals. This practice brings together students, Foundation Dentists, experienced Clinicians, and Dental Nurses in a truly collaborative setting that reflects how modern dentistry is delivered. Every patient treated not only receives safe, high-quality, compassionate care, but also plays an important role in developing the confidence and skills of our future workforce. We’re incredibly proud of the impact the practice is already having for patients across Plymouth and the wider region, and we’re delighted to welcome the Minister of State for Care to officially open this innovative facility.” Professor Ewen McColl, Head of the University’s Peninsula Dental School and Chair of the Dental Schools Council (UK and Ireland), said: “This practice represents a significant step forward in dental education. By embedding students within a modern primary care environment, they gain invaluable experience working alongside specialist clinicians and multidisciplinary teams while caring for patients with a wide range of dental needs. Plymouth graduates are recognised for their clinical confidence and compassionate approach, and the Dental Education Practice strengthens that reputation by providing even greater opportunities for hands-on learning. At the same time, we’re helping improve access to NHS dental care for our local communities, demonstrating the powerful impact that education and healthcare can have when they work together.” Health Minister, Stephen Kinnock, said: “It was a real pleasure to visit Plymouth today to officially open the Peninsula Dental Education Practice. This state-of-the-art facility will make a real difference for local people – delivering 12,000 NHS dental appointments a year, from urgent care through to more complex treatments.“It was a genuine pleasure to meet the students and hear first-hand about their training and ambitions. They are the future of NHS dentistry, and facilities like this are exactly how we rebuild that service from the ground up.” We are incredibly grateful to our patients, staff, University of Plymouth colleagues, and partners for their support during these first months since opening. Their contribution has helped establish a strong foundation for the practice, and we look forward to continuing to grow, welcoming more patients, and expanding opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students, registered Clinicians, and Dental Nurses alike. A patient at the Dental Education Practice commented: “I have had dental phobia for many years following traumatic experience of dental care. The team were very understanding, patient & supportive. I had three extractions, one of which was very stubborn & extremely painful to extract. The dentist & assistant were absolutely amazing, supporting me with empathy throughout the procedure. Thank you so so much.” This innovative facility has also been recognised for its design, having been shortlisted in the Education Project of the Year category at the 2026 Michelmore Property Awards. The Dental Education Practice represents an important investment in both patient care and the future dental workforce. By combining high-quality NHS dental services with innovative education and training, it is helping improve access to care across the South West while equipping future clinicians with the experience and skills needed to meet the evolving needs of patients. Find more information on the impact of the Dental Education Practice here. For more information on the services available at the Dental Education Practice, please refer to our website: www.peninsuladental.org.uk/clinics/plymouth-city-centre/ or contact pdse-info@plymouth.ac.uk

NEMI Teas, the award-winning London-based social enterprise, has officially released its 2025 Impact Report. The report highlights a landmark year of operational growth, environmental milestones, and life-changing employment opportunities for refugees resettling in the UK. Operating through a unique business model that prioritises social impact over private shareholder value, NEMI Teas combines a premium, 100% organic tea brand with its hands-on Changing Journeys employment programme. Transforming lives through tea Amidst a global displacement crisis, NEMI Teas continues to chip away at the systematic employment barriers faced by refugees. Through its chain of London-based impact hubs, TRAMPOLINE Café, the enterprise provides paid work experience, accredited hospitality training, and vital UK references. Key social impact highlights from the 2025 report include: Direct support: 19 refugees supported directly through training and mentoring, spanning 12 different nationalities (including Syria, Ukraine, Iran, and Eritrea). Fair wages: 2,302 hours worked by refugees, earning £34,669 directly at London Living Wage. Economic savings: Over £1million generated in government savings by moving individuals into stable employment. Empowering Graduates: In October 2025, NEMI handed over the keys of its first TRAMPOLINE Café site in Angel, London to programme graduate Yogi, transitioning the space into a highly rated independent Sri Lankan restaurant. "2025 was a year of investment and growth," said Pranav Chopra, Founder of NEMI Teas. Refugees arrive in the UK with incredible skills and resilience, but too often hit a wall: no UK reference, no foot in the door. NEMI exists to chip away at that wall. Every cup of our tea served in a café, hotel, or office is a direct contribution to that mission. Innovation in the cup and for the planet The past year also marked substantial expansions to NEMI’s product line and sustainable manufacturing infrastructure: TRAMPOLINE Teas launch: NEMI introduced its everyday, highly ethical sister brand featuring 100% Organic and Fairtrade certifications. Major B Corp corporate caterer Houston and Hawkes became the pioneer partner to swap mainstream office tea for the TRAMPOLINE range. Solar-powered production: NEMI brought its chai syrup manufacturing completely in-house. 100% of its finished goods are now blended, packed, and shipped under one solar-powered roof in Somerset. Landfill Diversion: By utilising plastic-free, plant-starch NeoSoilon teabags and NatureFlex wood-pulp envelopes, 11,570,200 teabags were diverted from landfills and safely composted with food waste in 2025. SBTi recognition: NEMI received official Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) recognition for its commitment to zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions through 2034. Industry recognition and looking ahead to 2026 NEMI’s unique intersection of quality and purpose did not go unnoticed. In 2025, the brand was named to the SEUK Top 100 List for the 8th consecutive year and won the prestigious Footprint Drinks Sustainability Social Impact Award. Corporate giants like Nationwide Building Society and Accor Hotels have further integrated NEMI into their procurement chains to meet ambitious sustainability targets. Looking forward to the rest of 2026, NEMI Teas aims to scale its impact by targeting a 150% increase in refugees trained through its Bounce and Jump tracks. For the first time, the social enterprise will also open its programmes to individuals seeking asylum, while working to open a third TRAMPOLINE Café site through joint-venture partnerships. CLICK HERE TO READ NEMI'S IMPACT REPORT About NEMI Teas Founded in 2017, NEMI Teas is a London-based social enterprise that sources and sells exceptional organic teas. The company acts as a catalyst for social mobility by employing and training refugees, helping them break into the UK workforce and regain financial independence. nemiteas.com

Multi award-winning Oxford social enterprise brewery, bakery, and hospitality organisation Tap Social Movement appoints former Asahi Europe & International CEO Paolo Lanzarotti and former Punch Taverns CEO Giles Thorley to senior advisory roles as the company embarks on its next key growth stage and seeks to expand its impact on the lives of prison leavers. Lanzarotti brings extensive experience in the beer and brewing industry, with a particular focus on sustainably accelerating growth and scaling brewery operations while maintaining quality and consistency. At Asahi Europe & International Lanzarotti oversaw a group with 20 breweries and production facilities distributing across eight domestic markets and more than 80 internationally. He previously held a number of country Managing Director roles at SABMiller. Lanzarotti says: “For a number of years, I’ve admired how Tap Social have built a business balancing the delivery of growth in numbers alongside having a positive impact on people in prison and prison leavers. Now I’m excited to be part of the journey that will see this business having economic and social impact at greater scale. And the beer is pretty good too!” Currently CEO of Development Bank of Wales, Thorley joins Tap Social with nine years of hospitality management experience with Punch Taverns, which under his leadership became one of the largest pub groups in the UK. In both 2007 and 2008 Thorley earned the top spot in the annual “Top 50 Most Influential People in the Pub Trade” list. Thorley has a proven track record in backing exciting early-stage businesses in the hospitality, leisure and consumer goods sectors, including as an initial backer of Deliveroo. Thorley says: “Tap Social is a fantastic business that combines a great multi-function business model with a strong ethical stance – a model that encompasses a hugely innovative brewery, an award winning bakery, unique retail spaces, entertainment, and a principled brand.  Whether it is the support for the rehabilitation of offenders or sourcing of sustainable products and a focus on local suppliers, the Tap Social Movement is one to join and one that I am excited to support.” As senior advisors, backers Lanzarotti and Thorley will help strategically guide the scale and direction of Tap Social’s expansion into new markets. A recipient of two Great Taste 2025 awards for Time Better Spent (5.1% Juicy IPA – 2 Stars) and Jobsworth (3.4% Session Pale Ale – 1 Star), Tap Social distributes select beers to more than 240 Waitrose & Partners supermarkets in the UK. Tap Social currently runs three Oxfordshire community venues, including its award-winning wholesale bakery and café Proof Social Bakehouse. Later this year it opens Day Release, a purpose-built café, bar, bakery, and community venue at Milton Park, the UK’s largest science, business, and technology hub, as well as additional outlets later this year.  To date Tap Social has created more than 112,000 hours of paid employment for people in prison and prison leavers. It was named the UK’s “Consumer-Facing Social Enterprise of the Year” in 2024, and is currently the “Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year.” Learn more about Tap Social Movement and its mission to reduce reoffending and turn lives around at tapsocialmovement.com. About Tap Social Movement With a shared passion for social justice and independent beer, Paul Humpherson and sisters Amy and Tess Taylor founded Tap Social Movement in 2016 to provide support, training, and fulfilling employment to people who have had contact with the criminal justice system. In addition to its commercial production brewery, Tap Social currently runs four community venues across Oxfordshire, including its bakery Proof Social Bakehouse and Day Release, its newest location opening in mid-2026 at Milton Park. It brews a range of modern, accessible beer highlighted by its award-winning core range, which includes its best-selling Juicy IPA Time Better Spent.