Volunteers' Week, running from 1st to 6th June, celebrates the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK. It's a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank the UK's incredible volunteers for all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector, and society as a whole.

Volunteers are essential for Fine Cell Work, and are on the front line of our programmes, delivering our services both inside and outside of prisons. To mark Volunteers' Week, we spoke to some of the amazing individuals who give their time and energy to help deliver our services. In this article, we meet Lucilla Solly, a retired teacher who generously volunteers her time to Fine Cell Work. 

Hello - My name is Lucilla Solly and I’m 73 years old, so probably one of the older volunteers!

I was a primary school teacher for almost all of my working life, working in Africa, London and Northumberland. I taught English, Maths and History to 8-13 year olds and it was a very fulfilling career. When I retired I taught English to refugees for a while and became more involved in my local church. Then a friend told me that a mutual friend volunteered for Fine Cell Work and that they were looking for more volunteers. She knew that I did a lot of sewing and stitching and thought with my teaching background I would be a good fit.

And that was the start of my time volunteering with Fine Cell Work...

I soon discovered what an excellent and committed charity it is in helping people to find something to occupy them while in prison and earn a little money, as well as giving them dignity and self-respect.

I work with three other volunteers and we spend a day once every two weeks in the prison. We share the paper work and the returning and ordering of kits between us. Until recently, we mostly taught embroidery but have now started to do more needlepoint.

We cover the Open College Network (OCN) accredited course and the majority of our stitchers have been doing it. This involved us learning how to quilt in order to teach the guys for the OCN. This inspired me to stitch a pirate themed quilt for my grandson which I really enjoyed doing!

One of the most rewarding things about volunteering with Fine Cell Work...

...is watching those who have often never even threaded a needle become competent stitchers. For some it’s a slow process, for others they take to it like a duck to water, but seeing their pleasure in finishing a piece is always heartwarming. When they then start to teach others how to do a new stitch then we know our job is done; and then when they teach us what to do, well, that’s the icing on the cake! It’s also been great working with a group of committed volunteers and we have a good laugh together.

 If I was giving some advice to someone considering volunteering..

...it would be to definitely give it a go – it can be quite hard work and tiring but it’s also very rewarding. I also find that family and friends are fascinated by what we all do, which isn’t usually the case with volunteering. I would strongly recommend a role with Fine Cell Work.

I don't think I could pick just one Fine Cell Work product...

...but I've always been fond of the Boxing Hares Cushion. I also particularly enjoy seeing the finished Cottage Cushions as the stitchers put so much of their own personality into them and I’m always amazed at the detail and humour that goes into them.

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Read an interview with another Fine Cell Work volunteer, Marion Bedford, here. 

Learn more about volunteering with Fine Cell Work here.
Learn more about Volunteers' Week here.

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