Crafting wonders

Our production process

Each of our products goes on a long and impactful journey before it is ready to be sold. And every one of our items touches the life of at least one prisoner or prison leaver in some way.

Our needlework kits are put together in our prison workshops before being distributed from our London hub to our wonderful volunteers. These inspirational supporters teach people in prison the necessary skills to craft each piece. The completed stitchwork is then returned to us, to ensure it meets our exacting standards, before finally being sent back into a prison to be 'made up', turning it into the final product (e.g. stuffing and adding zips to cushions).

In total, this process can take up to 200 hours and over 70,000 stitches (per piece!)

We know that every single one of our products boosts self-esteem, builds confidence, has a positive impact on a stitcher’s mental health, and gives them the opportunity to transform their lives.

By purchasing a product, you become a part of that journey.

DONATIONS

Support our work

By purchasing from Fine Cell Work, you are making social change. However, 75% of our rehabilitation programmes are funded through donations and grants. We know that transformation is possible - for our stitchers, for our communities, and for our society as a whole. Your support - through donations or by purchasing products - will help to break the devastating cycle of reoffending and repeated imprisonment.

£10 donation
Provides a prisoner with the materials for one tapestry cushion (100 hours of creative activity). 

£20 donation
Will enable us to continue providing paid, creative and productive work to even more prisoners around the UK, helping them to build a brighter future.

£50 donation
Sponsors a prisoner to train as a volunteer 'class coordinator', teaching and mentoring other prisoners.

£250 donation
Covers the volunteer costs of a stitching class in prison.

£500 donation
Pays for the training, materials and support for one prisoner for an entire year, helping them to rebuild a meaningful, independent,crime-free life.

By giving prisoners hope that transformation is truly possible, they can envision a meaningful life after release. But nobody tells the story of how Fine Cell Work has helped them better than the prisoners themselves:

“Stitching allows me to use a totally different part of my brain and personality. I can move away from the more difficult reflections and anxieties and feel creative and purposeful. This means I no longer feel that my life has come to a halt and that I am of no use to anyone else.”

- Tom, FCW Stitcher -

Customer Reviews

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claire gladstone
Superb Stitching

I had a little savings pot to buy this cushion as a treat for myself as I love the design and the ethos of Fine Cell Work. The quality of the stitching is superb, I absolutely love it. I have written to the stitcher and to FCW to say thank you. I have started a second pot and now have the luxury of choosing something else. I have previously bought several small gifts and the recipients have all been delighted. Wonderful stuff!

H
Happy Shopper
Advent Feedback

Christmas present:
I am very pleased with my purchase. it is well made and the colours work well.
After placing my order Fine Cell (FC) contacted me to say the shape had changed. After reflection, I went ahead anyway and confirmed, and in fact ordered a few more pieces in addition.
Christmases past:
I have always tried to get to one of the Christmas outlets or even exhibitions, so shopping online was new and different. I actually like seeing the 'real' thing.
But it worked well because of the kind personal touch from the FC person who contacted me.
Christmas future:
Let us let that remain a mystery.
Christmas present:
May it be a gift of peace to you all.