Kokova Magazine

If you are seeking Christmas inspiration for something that's a little bit unusual, take a look at the range of home furnishing and accessories from prison charity Fine Cell Work.

Comfy cushions with bon mots such as 'The best thing to hold onto in life is each other' or the festive pineapple design are the latest additions to the extensive range.

Little robins make charming decorations and stocking fillers. and for cool customers, the 'Swag' and 'Jailbird' cotton shoppers are witty and useful. Whether traditional or contemporary, there are designs for every taste, style and budget.

Christmas is a time for giving and with a present purchased from Fine Cell Work not only are you giving to your friends and family but your gift also contributes to the long term welfare of some UK prisoners. In 29 prisons across the UK this social enterprise and remarkable prison charity runs workshops and classes that teach fine needlework and embroidery to the highest standards.

The results are an inspiring range of home accessories that include cushions and quilts, wall-hangings, charming decorations and pin cushions, tea cosies and door-stops, as well as undertaking private commissions.

Fine Cell Work is a social enterprise that trains prisoners in paid, skilled, creative needlework, undertaken in the long hours spent in their cells, to foster hope, discipline and self esteem. This helps them to connect to society and to leave prison with the confidence and financial means to stop offending.

Stitchers spend an average of 20 hours per week doing embroidery in their cells: the highest earners stitch for as long as 40 hours. It's a way of life that enables them to serve their time with dignity and purpose and the earnings give them hope, skills and independence. Fine Cell Work is done in 20 prisons with 300 prisoners and 97% of the stitchers are men.

Prisoners are taught by skilled volunteers and this important relationship can motivate them to achieve things they never thought possible.

There is a lack of purposeful activity in prison, where convicted prisoners, 70% of whom have one or more mental health disorder, spend an average of 17 hours a day locked in their cells.

Fine Cell Work is committed to working with prisoners through their entire sentences and offers the chance to belong to a larger and more meaningful entity. Needlework requires focus, rhythm and accuracy. It is the antithesis of the roughness, the carelessness and the loss of control which characterise offending behaviour.

The idea for Fine Cell Work was conceived by Lady Anne Tree in the 1960's when she was a prison visitor to HMP Holloway.

For more information visit www.finecellwork.co.uk

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