As a graduate from our post-release programme, Open The Gate, Bruce was keen to share his story with the wider Fine Cell Work community. He wrote this piece for our latest edition of Stitch Up, our biannual magazine published exclusively for stitchers. 

Bruce stitched for Fine Cell Work when he was in prison, and after graduating from Open The Gate, creativity continues to play a huge part of his life. Read on to find out more...

I paid the price and came out the other side.

I learnt to stitch in prison in early 2016 with volunteers who were the best ladies ever. Stitching gave me a sense of achievement. Now that I have been diagnosed with Asperger’s, it makes more sense to me that I enjoy stitching so much, as it is regimented. Stitching gave me something to work towards and that made me crave learning new techniques and putting them into practice.

With Fine Cell Work I did everything! Like everyone, I started out in a cell group and then started to help the volunteers teach others in the group as class coordinator. When I was transferred, I started working in the workshop. My experience in stitching meant that I was able to get the job and I got onto the machines and starting stitching. I joined the hand stitching group too and particularly enjoyed supporting other stitchers by helping them fix their mistakes. During this time, I progressed and once I got my D cat, I became a lone stitcher because I was skilled enough.

During my time stitching in prison, I did loads of commissions – the Queen’s head, the Void, the Ditchley rug, and I helped with a big ottoman. My favourite was the Queen’s head due to the sheer number of individual stitches that they wanted in it. It had loads of different colours with lots of small stitches. To work all of these and keep it from being messy at the back and puckering was really tricky and it was a massive challenge, but this is what makes it look so amazing from a distance.

I could have gone down a totally different route when I went into prison and I think that, if I didn’t have stitching, that maybe something bad could have happened. Even though I had a difficult time, my stitching helped get me through. It was a coping mechanism for me even when my mum died, I just went back to my cell and stitched for hours. Without it I would have gone off the rails and everything would have gone wrong.

In the autumn of 2021, I joined Open The Gate (OTG) after my release as I wanted to learn more – bits like petit point, blackwork and silk shading. I also really wanted to learn upholstery which was one of my favourite things I did there. Over my time, I did practically every one of the Open College Network (OCN) units! On OTG, I did the digital embroidery OCN for which I created some digitally embroidered poppies as I am ex-forces.

Being on OTG gave me friendship. The people, especially the volunteers who have given up their time to be there, are amazing. I learnt so many extra skills and was able to pass on my skills to other apprentices who did not stitch inside.

In 2023, I graduated from Open The Gate and since I have supported myself through carpentry. I do loads of stuff on top of this. Every year I am a poppy coordinator for my area, I am part of the Royal British Legion where I talk with the veterans, I do maintenance in a nursing home and work for my village hall. I have really tried to get involved in my community.

One thing I would like to say to anyone in prison or who has recently been released is don’t be put off by disclosure. It is a horrible feeling. I had to do it for my relationship and for work and it is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but I look at where I am right now and I am so happy I got up the courage. I know a lot of people would think they can’t deal with the embarrassment and shame and it hits me everyday. But I can’t change the past; I can only make things better for the future. I know a lot of people in prison think they haven’t got a life afterwards but you do. I have, it’s not all doom and gloom.

I still stitch, even after all this time! I want to make the Fine Cell Work vegetable collection: the Beetroot, Radish, Artichoke, and Onion. They will go in our new extension alongside chairs and tables that I will build. Creating means I always have something relaxing to do. I’ve found a life after prison which I never thought I would achieve.

---

You can support our work in prisons and post-release by choosing to buy a Fine Cell Work Product, by making a donation or by leaving a legacy to Fine Cell Work.

There are many ways to get involved with Fine Cell Work. Our diverse community is made up of stitchers, post-release apprentices, volunteers, trustees and staff.

To keep up to date with all of our opportunities, as well as our latest news and product launches, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X