Ben has graduated this week from our post-release Open The Gate programme, which is delivered at our hub in Battersea. We caught up with him to hear about his experiences with Fine Cell Work, as well as his plans for the future. 

Ben, how long have you been a part of Open The Gate? 

I started my journey with Open The Gate at the end of April 2022, which was a few months after being released from prison. 

What would a typical day at Fine Cell Work look like for you?

My main role is to oversee dispatch for all of the web orders that come in for Fine Cell Work products. My days vary a lot, depending on how many orders we have received. October, November and December are generally our busiest months, so I would spend all day picking products, packing and dispatching orders during this time. For the rest of the year, I focus on dispatch in the morning, and then undertake other tasks in the afternoon, such as attending sales meetings, labelling products and putting them into stock and undertaking quality control checks. 

I'm also involved in the organisational side of dispatch. I do a full stock take twice a year and ensure all items are stored correctly and are easily accessible, keeping the dispatch pod and warehouse tidy. I monitor stock and items that need ordering, such as cushion pads, jiffy bags and document wallets, and I pad cushions so that they are ready to dispatch when needed. This week, I've also been involved with a packaging review, helping the team find more sustainable packaging solutions to send out customer orders in.

Once dispatch has been dealt with, I help out in the workshop, cutting textiles to size to be sent to our stitchers and making-up products such as lavender bags and bookmarks. I have learnt so much about textiles, design, and colour, and also how to construct a range of products. 

Ben at Fine Cell Work - picking and packing products for dispatch and cutting textiles in the workshop

Had you sewn or done any needlework before joining Open The Gate?

Nothing - not even sewing a button on a shirt! I didn't realise that I had a creative side. 

What textile / craft skills have you learned since joining Open The Gate?

I have learned a lot! I have completed the following Open College Network-accredited units: Embroidery, Canvas Work, Quilt Making, Machine Stitched and Hand Finished Soft Furnishings, Peer Teaching and Warehousing, Delivery Dispatch and Stock Management. Each of these units requires a huge amount of work, but I felt a great sense of reward and achievement once I completed them. 

I really enjoyed the whole learning process and have made hand-embroidered and needlepoint cushions, bags and many other things -- the list goes on! I will continue to be creative, and I'm working on many personal stitching projects at the moment. 

Ben's personal project in progress - see Ben's completed Sunflowers cushion at  the top of the page!

Many people find needlework and craft relaxing - has this been your experience? How does it make you feel? 

It gives me a huge sense of achievement that I have learned so much in such a short space of time, which in turn helps with my mental health. Stitching keeps me in the present moment - it takes my mind off negative thoughts, keeps me positive and boosts my confidence. The repetitive movement of stitching is soothing and calms me down. 

Have you gained any other skills or experience on Open The Gate?

I have learned a lot about managing the warehouse, and have enjoyed dispatching orders, dealing with stock control and working with the Sales Team. 

I have attended numerous creative workshops, including footstool making, pattern cutting and embroidery mounting. I have also attended workshops that have encouraged me to look at what qualities and skills I already have and what I can do to gain more experience for my future, such as CV writing, mock interviews and disclosure. I have had a mentor to support me throughout my journey on Open The Gate, and they have helped me to look at what my next steps will be, whether that is finding work or going back into education. 

I was invited to join the Fine Cell Work Board Advisory Group, where I share my experiences with Fine Cell Work and the Open The Gate programme to help improve the service for others, both inside and outside of prison, including making the service more accessible for prison leavers. It has been great to give something back and to really feel part of the team, where my views and opinions are listened to and actioned. 

What do you enjoy most about Open The Gate and Fine Cell Work? 

It might be easier to say there is nothing I don't enjoy about Fine Cell Work! The staff are incredible - they see you an individual, listen to what you have to say, support you in planning your own journey and achieving the goals set.

I love it! It has given me a sense of purpose and something to look forward to. I have really enjoyed the whole learning process - finding my creative side, working as part of a team, and also the social side of the day, for example, going to lunch with the other apprentices. 

Fine Cell Work has given me a whole new lease of life and skills that I never thought I'd have but now use on a near daily basis.

How has Open The Gate helped you?

Open The Gate has opened up a whole new world of creativity for me, which is not something I ever thought I would be doing. It has given me the opportunity to look at alternative avenues of work, volunteering and education. It has also given me the confidence to do a little public speaking about my experience, which was nerve racking, but I did it, which proved to myself that I can! 

In short, Open the Gate has totally changed my mindset and my outlook on my future, boosted my self-esteem and has given me a sense of purpose. I am more optimistic about what I can achieve and I feel part of the team and part of the the wider community too. 

What are your hopes and plans after Open The Gate?

I may have graduated from Open The Gate, but I will still be a part of Fine Cell Work as a member of the Board Advisory Group. 

I will continue to put all the skills I have learned into use on a daily basis, and I am planning to do a bookbinding course - I hope to combine my stitching skills with bookbinding! 

What is your favourite Fine Cell Work Product? 

The Teal Ethiopian Hat Cushion -- I love the design and the colour! 

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For more information on Open The Gate and how you - or someone you know - can join the programme, click here. 

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