Next time you’re frantically dashing around the capital in search of a caffeine fix, allow us to point you in the direction of Redemption Roasters; a coffee company that’s changing the lives of prisoners and ex-offenders, one coffee bean at a time.
Now, I know that we’re not particularly thin-on-the-ground in terms of coffee shops in London. But when it comes to the ones that are making a huge social impact, can you ever really have too many?
A brief backstory of Redemption Roasters
Having originally co-founded a wholesale coffee company back in 2015; university friends, Ted and Max, were approached by the Ministry of Justice, who were keen to introduce barista training in to their prisons to upskill the residents, and reduce the chances of them reoffending. Pretty soon after, a coffee roaster was installed at HMP Aylesbury – and with that – Redemption Roasters was born.
In 2017, the very first Redemption Roasters coffee shop opened its doors on Conduit Street, serving up delicious coffee to the espresso-enthusiasts and cappuccino-connoisseurs of central London. A few years (and a roastery relocation to HMP The Mount) later and they’re now the proud owners of ten London coffee shops, two dedicated barista academies, and a behind-bars roastery. Pretty impressive, right?
Redemption Roasters’ mission
Prisoners are supposedly 50% more likely to reoffend if they leave prison without skills or a job. And that’s where Redemption Roasters come in. They’re dedicated to teaching prisoners valuable life skills that will help them successfully reintegrate into society once their time behind bars comes to and end.
Employing up to five prison residents at a time (with wages set aside for them to access upon their release), the programme trains them in professional roastery and barista skills, as well as production and logistics. Upon their release, the ‘graduates’ are helped to gain secure and meaningful employment – either in a Redemption Roasters coffee shop or one of their wholesale clients.
Making a nice cup of coffee and an even nicer impact on society. What more could you want from a coffee shop, hey?
Find out more about Redemption Roasters here.