Work With Us
Fine Cell Work is a rehabilitation charity and social enterprise that teaches prisoners and prison-leavers to make beautiful handmade products. The making and selling of high quality needlework boosts their self-worth, instils self-discipline and fosters hope. Our aim is for our stitchers to finish their sentences with work skills, money earned and saved, and the self-belief to not re-offend. We also guide them towards training and support on release. At the Fine Cell Works Hub in Battersea, we run our Open the Gate programme which provides work experience, formal training and employment to prison-leavers.
We are currently looking for Fine Cell Work Trustees, and Prison-Based Volunteers in Norfolk.
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Fine Cell Work Trustees
Fine Cell Work are looking for two new Trustees to join Fine Cell Work and play a pivotal role in our ongoing journey.
The role
Fine Cell Work is overseen by a Board of Trustees who come from a range of professional backgrounds, including design and the prison service but also marketing, finance, communications, business management and consulting, and volunteering. We are currently looking for two new Trustees, based in the UK, to join the Board and work with the Fine Cell Work leadership team.
The new Trustees will help to steer the strategic direction and governance of the charity, as we focus on the deployment of the business plan, charitable development and social enterprise.
Responsibilities of a Trustee include:
- Ensuring that Fine Cell Work has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction and that these are fully reflected in all its work
- Advocating for Fine Cell Work’s mission and, if possible, using their skills or contacts as appropriate to support Fine Cell Work’s work
- Supporting Fine Cell Work’s fundraising initiatives, through engaging in fundraising events and inviting members of their network to events and making introductions
- Engaging with and supporting Fine Cell Work’s Executive Director and senior leadership team in delivering against Fine Cell Work’s financial and social impact performance objectives
- Ensuring that Fine Cell Work fulfils its legal requirements, including in respect of equal opportunities, safeguarding, meeting health and safety requirements and complying with its charitable objectives
Celebrating 27 years, this is an exciting opportunity for two new Trustees to join Fine Cell Work and play a pivotal role in our ongoing journey. We welcome a wide range of energetic and empathetic applicants who are committed to supporting our growth. Critically, candidates should have a deep appreciation for the charity, prison, or public sector.
The Board is open to candidates from various backgrounds and experiences.
Applicants with the following experiences would be of particular interest:
- Commercial: Candidates can come from any professional commercial background, so long as they bring senior, strategic-level experience. We are particularly interested in hearing from those with a strong interest in fundraising, either with corporates and / or individuals, corporate partnerships, representation or corporate social responsibility.
- Interior Design / Product Development: Candidates will have a senior-level background in interior design and giftware product development, marketing, buying and / or merchandising expertise. They should possess a keen eye for market trends and a creative flair for developing premium products. Experience in strategically managing a product lifecycle, from concept to launch, and aligning offerings with brand values and market demand through innovative approaches is also of interest.
Additionally, those who have experience working or volunteering in a custodial environment are particularly encouraged to apply. The charity also welcomes first-time Trustees to join its Board.
Person specification
Fine Cell Work is a logistically complex charity, so applicants should be able to demonstrate the experience and skills required to contribute well informed views, constructive challenge and a commitment to best practices while operating in a multi-faceted and challenging environment. Above all, candidates should be passionate about the transformative power of rehabilitation and resonate with Fine Cell Work’s mission of supporting prison leavers or other vulnerable people into work.
Terms of appointment
The deadline for applications is midnight on 25th April, 2024. Candidates can expect to be contacted by the 27th April, 2024, and can expect the process to be completed by 31st May, 2024.
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Prison-based volunteers - Norfolk
We're looking for prison-based volunteers in Norfolk.
Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of Fine Cell Work (FCW). Supported by the Fine Cell Work programmes team and by other staff at the FCW office, they teach and administer FCW stitching groups in prisons.
Prison volunteers work in teams to organise classes and teach our stitchers, as well as providing groups information to the prison and to the FCW office. The precise mix of skills will vary from prison to prison.
Volunteering in prison for Fine Cell Work requires ideally a good level of needlework skill (or a willingness to learn), some teaching experience and/or experience of working with socially-excluded groups. Volunteers must be patient and non-judgemental in order to work effectively.
Each group has a lead volunteer who reports to the Volunteer & Programmes Manager at the Fine Cell Work office, however, we do encourage regular communication between the programmes team and all volunteers. We are constantly improving our systems to better support our volunteers.
Key responsibilities will include
- Developing prisoners’ skills and confidence
- Acting as FCW ambassadors in the prison
- Building effective working relationships with prison staff, stitchers, and other volunteers
- Providing information to the FCW office for administrative and evaluative purposes
Required commitment & practicalities
Prison-based volunteers generally run classes for two hours every 2 weeks. We ask for a minimum commitment of at least a year or two years, as this allows time for group participants to complete qualifications and develop their skills to a high standard.
All volunteers must be over 18 years of age. Volunteers will be required to undertake security vetting for relevant prisons.
Benefits
- Paid expenses for activities related to volunteering with Fine Cell Work.
- 15% discount on our products.
- Full introductory and safeguarding training at Fine Cell Work (and other relevant training as required).
- An opportunity to utilise your Employee Volunteering days (if applicable) in a meaningful way.
- An opportunity to attend and/or support our exclusive events and be an ambassador for Fine Cell Work.
- An ability to gain work experience within the prison system and with teaching socially excluded groups.
- An opportunity to improve your tapestry/embroidery skills alongside other volunteers and support stitchers working with commissions from incredible artists.
To apply, please complete the online form here, or email the Programmes team at volunteer@finecellwork.co.uk for more information.
At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in FCW’s workforce.
These include applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+, and male identifying applicants as these are currently under-represented in our volunteers groups.
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