When an Open The Gate apprentice graduates, it's a time for celebration. Lennox stitched with Fine Cell Work while he was in prison, then joined Open The Gate a few months after his release. Two years on, and on the cusp of graduation, he shares his own unique story - including why he's known as Mr Lavender - and how stitching is part of his plan for the future.

I first started sewing in prison...

I was mainly making baby’s quilts and hand-stitched cushions. The shapes for quilts were pre-cut and I would put my own designs and patterns on the quilt, stitch it together, add the borders and the Fine Cell Work volunteers would help with the wadding. I ended up being class coordinator and getting others into Fine Cell Work. I would help others during the week too, checking in to see how they were getting on.

A lot of people might struggle when they get released, but I still had some stitching work to do to keep me going. When I arrived at Open The Gate, I got even more creative, starting everything for my quilts from scratch. I was a bit rusty with the sewing machine, but with Jordanne, the Workshop Manager’s encouragement, I started using the machine. I use the machine to make up lavender bags, but I still get to slip-stitch them closed, so hand-stitching will always be part of everything I make! 

A typical day at Fine Cell Work...

I come to the Hub two days per week, but I sometimes do a workshop on a Monday. I also come along to Craft Club every other week, so I could be here up to four times a week. I’ve got the drive – I want to do something and I want to be here.

In the workshop, they call me Mr Lavender, because I am often found working on lavender bags! I started to make them for myself as gifts to give away – I’ve probably made over 500 lavender bags! 

I really love boxing up and labelling napkins. I iron and roll each napkin, box them up, put a card inside, and then tie a fancy ribbon around the box. Finally I add a label with the stitchers’ name. I just love doing it – from seeing the napkins loose, to turning them into a beautiful product to sell – it’s really satisfying. The same goes for the Utility Aprons – I got to love folding and ribboning them too!

I mainly work on my personal quilting projects when I’m at home, but I enjoyed working on Kit Kemp’s Tapestry of Redemption Quilt here at the Hub. I always prefer hand-stitching – I feel like using a machine is cheating!

Craft makes me calm - it's the best thing!

It’s better than watching the telly! I have the telly on, but I don’t even look at it. My head’s down there, and the telly is over there. I might listen to the news, make a cuppa, but I’m always sewing. I’ve always got something to do.

I have learned a lot here, and it’s calmed me down. When I was in prison, I was a Listener. I would talk to people that were coming in for the first time, because it would be hard for them. I would show them that I care. I’ve brought this to Open The Gate and people have talked to me here too when they’ve struggled. I chatted to someone here who was about to have an interview for Open The Gate, and by the time he got to his interview, he was very calm. I have completed my Peer Teaching OCN course here – I’m able to help others who are struggling.

I’ve done some public speaking at Fine Cell Work events, which is a skill I’ve discovered from being here. I found that it came easy to me – I can talk and I’m good at free flow!

The thing I enjoy the most about Open The Gate is...

Engaging with others – it’s a big thing for me. People walk past, they say hello, stop to have a chat. You’ll always get a joke out of me – I’ll make people laugh, but the banter works both ways and I’ll get a joke out of someone too! I’ve had so much fun since I’ve been here! 

Fine Cell Work have helped me so much since I’ve been here – I’ve got on with everyone that has come and gone. Anytime I’ve needed someone to talk to, someone has been there. My mentor and all the staff – I’m going to miss them all once I graduate. 

I’ve been part of a team here within a working environment, which is new to me, but I know I can take the skills I’ve learned here anywhere and I will crack on in life. The team I had been used to before was the criminal team and that’s changed now, a lot of things have. Today I can be present. I can do things for my family – my kids and my grandchildren – I make time for them now and they are my priority. I can relate to them, and without Fine Cell Work, I wouldn’t be able to do these things.

I’ve been at Open The Gate for two years now. Without coming here, I’d be in prison. I’ve never been out this long – I’ve been in prison every year. I would have gone back to that old way of living, that pattern of behaviour, committing crime, but I am out of that now. People see me now and I show them where I’m at. They are listening to me and they see that if I can do it, it’s possible. When people say that change isn’t possible, I say change is possible, but you’ve got to put the work in.

I don’t smoke and I live life with ginger beer, soft drinks and water! I tell people about my stitching – I show them on my phone what I’m doing. I stitch every day!

Next steps...

I’m planning to set up an online business selling lavender bags and cushions. I’ve created a label that incorporates a needle and thread into the design, and I’m starting to get everything together – I have a sewing machine, and I’ll go shopping on the Goldhawk Road for materials. I’m even planning to go to a lavender farm to take some photos for my website! 

My Fine Cell Work mentor has been helping me with the website, and she’s written down a few things for me to focus on. Fine Cell Work has helped me a lot and I’ll be sad to leave, but I will pop back from time to time for workshops, because everything here is beneficial. I've done a lot since I've been at Open The Gate and I'm happy. It's now the right time for me to move forward.

My favourite Fine Cell Work product...

...is the napkins. I love them, particularly the Christmas napkins – they stand out. I think it’s because I love boxing them up so much – that’s why they’re my favourite!

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