Fine Cell Work provides prisoners with the training and materials they need to produce high quality soft furnishings. Prisoners earn a small amount of money which they can use to support their families and provide a financial cushion on release. In addition, they learn skills useful for employment, gain valuable confidence and experience, and alleviate the boredom and isolation of long hours in their cells.
All of these factors reduce the likelihood of reoffending after release.
The charity first worked with Pilotlight in 2004-05, when it consolidated its management processes in a business plan and set targets based on a clearer financial model. As a result, Fine Cell Work was able to increase its sales even faster than in previous years, and to reach more prisoners.
By spring 2007 the charity had doubled in size and built strong relationships with prisons. Fine Cell Work approached Pilotlight again, and over a year worked on its production and supply chain, organisational planning, and marketing, with a team comprising marketing and communications experts, strategists from global energy company BP, and the chief operating officer of a private equity company.
Director Katy Emck said “Pilotlight gave me new tools to run my charity – it was so successful that I’ve come back for more!”
Skills, tools and resources
Fine Cell Work’s second engagement with Pilotlight enabled it to fill some of the gaps in its operations. The charity improved its financial modelling and accounting; clarified staff roles and responsibilities; attracted one of the Pilotlighters onto its board of trustees; and developed a marketing strategy that brings clarity and confidence to its activities and relationships with funders.
Fine Cell Work was in danger of being swamped by its mounting stockpile. The Pilotlighters helped the charity integrate its plans for production, supply, distribution and marketing, to help it destock over the next months and reclaim space in its offices.
Better stock tracking and management have already helped Fine Cell Work reduce its costs. Turnover has risen by 19% in the last year and it has been able to take on another member of staff.
People helped and change in lives and communities
Fine Cell Work has taken on more prisoners since becoming more confident about stock management, working with an additional 10% in the last year. Since its first engagement with Pilotlight, Fine Cell Work has nearly doubled its annual sales from £67,000 to £120,000. This translates directly into prisoner income, which has been linked to self-esteem, support for families and a reduced chance of reoffending.
Click here to learn more about Fine Cell Work.