The Apprentice Christmas Lunch is a very special day in the Fine Cell Work calendar. Our staff look forward to it, as it really brings home what we are trying to achieve through our work in prison and in our Battersea workshop.

We know how much of a struggle the Christmas season can be for those in prison, and also for those who have just been released, which is why we take great effort and pride in organising a Christmas lunch for our Open the Gate post-release apprentices every year.

One of our current Open The Gate apprentices, Lennox, explains what the occasion means to him:

When I came out, I wasn’t looking forward to Christmas. It had truly become just another day for me. But last year, as an Open the Gate apprentice, I was invited to the Fine Cell Work Christmas lunch. I didn’t know what to expect and was overwhelmed with it all!"

"The staff cooked us an absolutely delicious Christmas meal that we ate together, sitting in the office which had been transformed into a festive place. And, as if that wasn’t overwhelming enough, they gave us each a gift bag.

I couldn’t bring myself to look and see what was in it till I got home. There were small gifts and a voucher there. But what really got to me was a pack that listed out activities that I could do over the lonely Christmas period. With the workshop closed, I kept myself busy until we started again in the new year by working on a quilt I was making.

The staff cooked us an absolutely delicious Christmas meal that we ate together, sitting in the office which had been transformed into a festive place. And, as if that wasn’t overwhelming enough, they gave us each a gift bag.

I couldn’t bring myself to look and see what was in it till I got home. There were small gifts and a voucher there. But what really got to me was a pack that listed out activities that I could do over the lonely Christmas period. With the workshop closed, I kept myself busy until we started again in the new year by working on a quilt I was making."

"What really stood out was the information included in the bag. It had phone numbers of people I could call and places I could go to if I found the season too hard. This was hugely beneficial, and not just to me. The people I lived with all looked at it. We felt like Fine Cell Work truly understood how we felt during this season and really cared. They are definitely bringing Christmas joy back in my life."

– Lennox, Open the Gate Apprentice

“It got me in the Christmas mood. I was happy to meet new people and be around supportive people. Everyone looked fab too. I didn’t expect the gifts! The food was amazing... I was so full I feel asleep on the way home haha.”

– Sophie, Open The Gate Apprentice

The day brings much joy to Fine Cell Work staff and volunteers too:

“The Christmas lunch is my favourite day at Fine Cell Work. All the staff work really hard to make sure we are putting on a festive and cheerful occasion. For some apprentices, it’s the first Christmas they have celebrated in years. We know it’s not always an easy time of year, so we want to make sure we send them off to the Christmas break feeling appreciated, loved, and armed with activities and keep them going… they are always ready and raring to go again in the New Year."

– Jordanne, Workshop Manager

“I thought it was lovely. I loved the games, and it was doable for everyone to get involved. Nice variety, lovely food, beautiful décor. I loved it."

– Jenny, Volunteer 

The Apprentice Christmas Lunch is our way of helping to bring back the spirit of Christmas, and enabling apprentices to look to the future with optimism and feel a sense of community.

Spare a thought for people in prison this Christmas and also the apprentices in our post-release programme. Show them that they are not forgotten by supporting our appeal.

Together, we can bring hope to many more.

Make a gift to support our work in prison.