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

Based on 5 reviews
100%
(5)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
K
Katie
Beautiful hand-embroidery

Such intricate and beautiful stitching, I was shocked to discover this can be a stitchers first piece of paid work! The finishing is stunning and the fabric colour is gorgeous. It makes a lovely gift.

C
Clare Bentley

A small beautiful item which makes me happy every time I catch sight of it. It really zings.

K
Kathryn Wilkins
Beautifully stitched 🧵

I read a very good article on Fine Cell Work so promptly visited the website. So many wonderful products! I bought the butterfly embroidered purse for a good friend’s birthday - I am sure she will love it as much as I do. The embroidery is exquisite. My next purchase will also be a gift but a ‘to me, from me’ one!

I
Ilene
The perfect gift!

A newspaper article about Fine Cell Work sent me to your website, where I spotted this little purse. I had been searching for just the right present for a friend's birthday (she is a keen gardener) and this butterfly purse looked perfect. She loved it and sent a thank-you note saying, "Very pretty and useful, and what a great idea!" I would like to add my thanks to hers. Fine Cell Work is doing great work, and I look forward to buying more of your beautiful items.

S
S Edwards
Butterfly embroidered purse

I purchased two of these for friends and was very pleased with them. There were beautifully made and embroidered. They were my first purchase but will not be my last.