Fine Cell Work: Teaching Needlework in Prisons
Katy Emck - Founding Director of Fine Cell Work, will talk about teaching needlework in prisons.
Join us for an evening with Katy Emck - Founding Director of Fine Cell Work, for her talk which will explain the purpose, origins and activities of Britain’s largest prison enterprise training and paying men and women in prison to do museum-worthy embroidery and selling their work to the general public.
"Fine Cell Work is a charity and social enterprise committed to the rehabilitation of prisoners through providing them with purposeful activity. We do this by teaching them soft work skills, by training and paying them to do exquisite needlework to create beautiful products for sale.
Our aim is to support prisoners and prison leavers to finish their sentences with work skills, money earned and saved, and the self-belief to rebuild meaningful, independent, crime-free lives.
Fine Cell Work trains prisoners and prison leavers in high-quality needlework skills, and then supports and pays them to create beautiful handmade products, designed by world renowned artists. These luxury products are sold to the public, designers, artists, and heritage organisations, many of whom commission bespoke pieces.
Our unique process boosts our stitcher’s self-worth, instils accountability, and fosters hope. Hope that transformation is possible- for our stitchers, for our communities, and for our society as a whole.
In order to provide work for as many stitchers as possible, both in and out of prisons, each Fine Cell Work product passes through many pairs of hands before it's ready to be sold".
(Text taken from Fine Cell Work website - https://finecellwork.co.uk/).
https://finecellwork.co.uk/
@finecellwork
All photographs copyright © Fine Cell Work, please do not use or share without permission from the charity.
This in-person event will be held on Fri 27th February 2026 at 19:15 pm, St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton. Join us for an evening of stories, inspiration, and a celebration of the artistry that goes into making textiles.
Book your ticket now via our Eventbrite - link in Bio. Kingston Stitchers members do not need a ticket and this talk is available free through your membership.
Not a member of Kingston Stitchers but interested in joining? We are currently closed for new applications as we have reached our capacity. Please email our membership secretary to be placed on our waiting list: ksmembershipsecretary@gmail.com.
https://www.kingstonstitchers.com/
@kstitchers_uk
Katy Emck - Founding Director of Fine Cell Work, will talk about teaching needlework in prisons.
Join us for an evening with Katy Emck - Founding Director of Fine Cell Work, for her talk which will explain the purpose, origins and activities of Britain’s largest prison enterprise training and paying men and women in prison to do museum-worthy embroidery and selling their work to the general public.
"Fine Cell Work is a charity and social enterprise committed to the rehabilitation of prisoners through providing them with purposeful activity. We do this by teaching them soft work skills, by training and paying them to do exquisite needlework to create beautiful products for sale.
Our aim is to support prisoners and prison leavers to finish their sentences with work skills, money earned and saved, and the self-belief to rebuild meaningful, independent, crime-free lives.
Fine Cell Work trains prisoners and prison leavers in high-quality needlework skills, and then supports and pays them to create beautiful handmade products, designed by world renowned artists. These luxury products are sold to the public, designers, artists, and heritage organisations, many of whom commission bespoke pieces.
Our unique process boosts our stitcher’s self-worth, instils accountability, and fosters hope. Hope that transformation is possible- for our stitchers, for our communities, and for our society as a whole.
In order to provide work for as many stitchers as possible, both in and out of prisons, each Fine Cell Work product passes through many pairs of hands before it's ready to be sold".
(Text taken from Fine Cell Work website - https://finecellwork.co.uk/).
https://finecellwork.co.uk/
@finecellwork
All photographs copyright © Fine Cell Work, please do not use or share without permission from the charity.
This in-person event will be held on Fri 27th February 2026 at 19:15 pm, St Mark’s Church Hall, Surbiton. Join us for an evening of stories, inspiration, and a celebration of the artistry that goes into making textiles.
Book your ticket now via our Eventbrite - link in Bio. Kingston Stitchers members do not need a ticket and this talk is available free through your membership.
Not a member of Kingston Stitchers but interested in joining? We are currently closed for new applications as we have reached our capacity. Please email our membership secretary to be placed on our waiting list: ksmembershipsecretary@gmail.com.
https://www.kingstonstitchers.com/
@kstitchers_uk
Good to know
Highlights
- 1 hour 45 minutes
- In person
Refund Policy
Location
St Mark's Church, Surbiton
Saint Mark's Hill
Surbiton KT6 4LS
How do you want to get there?
