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 14 reviews
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L
Lynn Rochester
Fascinating insight to prison life.

Delighted with the book, bought back some many happy memories of the time when I was a volunteer teaching embroidery and tapestry work to the ladies in prison. An excellent charity and well worth supporting

Z
Zoe Van Zwanenberg
Beautiful Book

This is a really beautiful book telling an important and inspiring story. The sections on commissions undertaken are particularly striking particularly those that include refections from stitchers on the impact of their engagement with the work. As a stitcher myself I am inspired to volunteer to join the team should a suitable opportunity arise. Congratulations on the production of a stylish high quality book that truly reflects the life changing excellence of the charity.

R
Ruth
Threads of time

What an amazing and inspiring book. Not just for those interested in needlework but the very important role needlework can play in assisting with mental health and offering a chance to those in prison. Speaking as a mother of one of these people I can’t thank Fine Cell enough for offering this lifeline and the book is just the icing on the cake.
An easy read and the type of book you can dip in and out of. I would highly recommend the book.

c
caroline v
Threads of Time

This was an Xmas gift for a special friend. He has already read it cover to cover and spread the word. He was so impressed by FineCell and the amazing art that has been produced. Keep up the good work!!

F
Felicity Lowinger
Absolutely gorgeous book

Bought this a Christmas gift for my roommate … arrived very quickly, well packaged. Beautifully a-pointed coffee table book! I’ll be going back to it regularly!