S3 End of Season Special Katy Emck, Founding Director Fine Cell Work

Also I think that many people in prison, 70% of them have mental health problems, have some disorders of one sort or another. If they didn't before they went to prison, they very likely might get some mental health issue in prison.

The work actually alleviates that mental distress. I think having something to do and having a sense of purpose. You're talking about getting something finished. Imagine if you have suicidal thoughts and suicide rates in prison are quite high, much, much higher than the national average and the norm. You want to finish that before you want to kill yourself. There's something, there's a purpose, right? 

I became a volunteer business mentor for Fine Cell Work's Open the Gate Programme a couple of years ago and so wanted to share their story with you and what they and their volunteers do to support offenders and ex-offenders. Since 1997, this charity has worked with over 7,500 prisoners training them to do high quality skills and creative stitching in their cells enabling them to earn money, skills, and self-belief. Our guide today is a woman who joined their founder in the very early days and transformed a germ of an idea into the award winner it is today.

She was also awarded the OBE in 2016 for her service to the rehabilitation of offenders, collaborations have included working with our Weiwei, Kit Kemp who's founder of the Firmdale Hotel group, Cath Kidston, Patrick Brill, ACA Bob and Roberta Smith, and bespoke commissions includes Selfridges, Stella McCartney, Gavin Turk, the V&A, and the author. Tracy Chevalier.

Hear how the charity began, the major driver for the late Lady Anne Tree (a prisoner visitor and prison rights activist) to fight for prisoners to be paid, why Katy became involved, how the charity works, where they have managed to fill the gap over the pandemic, the importance of wellbeing for offenders (75% of offenders have mental health problems), their Open the Gate Programme and much more.

My book recommendation: From Bean to Bar: A Chocolate Lovers Guide to Britain ~ Andrew Baker
Chocolate: Booja Booja Salted Caramel Truffles
Quote: Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get ~ Forest Gump from the movie Forest Gump

Catch Katy and her team at Fine Cell Work and insta: @finecellwork