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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Stella Smith
Carnation

A fairly easy design to work. Well printed canvas and detailed paper stitch guide (only use this if you want complete accuracy). A very formal design but high quality wool- this should make a striking cushion.

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Suzie Tuomey
Thrilled

I was delighted to find out about this organisation from a friend when I was looking to buy a present for my sister. What a fascinating set up. My sister was really delighted with the tapestry and I was thrilled to have supported you. My sister is an excellent sewer and she and I recognised the quality of the product. Thank you.

A
Ann Fitzpatrick
Carnation cushion

The kit is beautiful. The quality of the wool is excellent and the design is just lovely. The cushion arrived in very good time.
I would say that the photo does not clearly represent the colour yellow in the middle strip of the design. I thought it was beige. I stress, however, that I am not at all disappointed because the yellow is lovely and complements the other colours so well.
A really beautiful product.

M
Margaret
Beautiful Carnation Needlepoint Cushion Kit

This arrived beautifully packaged and well presented. The kit meets all my expectations.
Thank you so much.

A
Amanda Osmond
Testing times

I am pleased with the carnation tapestry kit. It is a very intricate design which is likely to be time-consuming but that is no bad thing in these difficult times. I have no complaints about the quality of the canvas and the wools provided.