Volunteer
My heart goes out to the volunteers for all the time they give to helping prisoners. Some folk would wash their hands of criminals but these people accept us for what we are and are willing to give us a chance. For this, I am very grateful.” Prisoner, HMP Wandsworth
Volunteers are at the heart of Fine Cell Work's activities, and we currently work with 200 volunteers in total. Our charity has, from its very beginnings, depended on and learned from the expertise and initiative of its volunteers and we now have an extensive and ever-growing network across the country.
Without them, we could not achieve all that we do.
How you can volunteer
If you would like to apply for any of the volunteering roles below, please read the information on this page carefully, then download and complete a Volunteer Skills Form.
Return it to us by email or post to:
Fine Cell Work
38 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 0RE
We look forward to hearing from you!
In prison
We could not function without the Fine Cell Work volunteers who teach embroidery, tapestry, quilting and other needlework in prisons throughout the country. As well as teaching and mentoring prisoners, they take kits and materials into the prison and send completed work back to head office.
On average, they visit prison twice a month for a two-hour class. The average length of time they remain volunteers is 7 years and our longest-serving volunteer has been teaching in prisons for 11 years.
Qualities and Experience
Many of our prison volunteers are members of the Embroiderer's Guild and have been taught at the Royal School of Needlework and we do require a certain level of needlework skill. More importantly, this role requires a kind, patient and non-judgemental temperament. Ideally, you will have some teaching experience and/or will understand the issues arising from working with vulnerable adults. You also need to be comfortable with completing a small amount of admin before and after classes.
Please click here for our current prison volunteer vacancies. If there are no roles available in your region, we encourage you to apply anyway, as we keep a record of potential volunteers and could contact you if a role comes up in your local area.
At events
The growth and success of FCW in reaching and selling to the public is due to the contribution of people who make events happen.
People get involved on all levels, from inviting friends to helping with sales, and serving on event committees. We hold regular events around the country and are always keen to hear from people who want to support or set up an event in their local area.
Qualities and Experience
You don't need any specific skills or experience to volunteer at events; just bring your positive attitude and enthusiasm.
At the office
Volunteers at our head office in London Victoria do a wide range of jobs. These include stitching small items, helping with cutting fabrics and making up kits for our prison groups. We also regularly advertise for interns to support the administrative work of the office.
Qualities and Experience
Depending on their activities, office volunteers need some level of experience with stitching and textiles. Those helping with commissions need to be excellent embroiderers, whereas those helping to make kits need only be comfortable in the stitching environment.
We welcome applications from potential office volunteers and interns throughout the year: however, due to work and space restrictions, we do not always have roles available. Intern role specifications are posted here when a position becomes available.
What our volunteers say
Some of our prison volunteers have shared with us what makes the work with FCW so special:
I absolutely love the work I do with FCW and feel so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given which have led to my own personal development. It’s not always easy but I’m constantly learning and growing as a person.”
"I think that as well as making a huge impact on the lives of these prisoners, they do the same for us. As I drive home after each class I realise how lucky I am.”
I thought working in a prison might upset me, even that I may not be able to cope with it. On the contrary, I often leave feeling inspired and impressed.”
"When we are sitting round the table in a group the men enjoy the relaxed atmosphere created by the needlework and the freedom from cell life. They are a hard-working group and help and support each other both during the evening and back in their blocks. It is great to see the men working together to get the best out of each other.”
I have just come back from the prison and I am still on a high. They were so enthusiastic. Never once did I think of them as prisoners.”