Social value is a pertinent consideration at Tailored Image and a recent project with Hydebank Wood Secure College and Women’s Prison in Northern Ireland has proved to be one of particular note.
At every opportunity we at Tailored Image are keen to improve our social, environmental and financial impact. Having visited Hydebank College recently, the Tailored Image team were struck by the positive environment within and the commitment to rehabilitating inmates that was so prevalent. Therefore, when an opportunity arose to provide assistance to the college, we were only too happy to oblige.
Hydebank College provides academic and practical skills in industry-focused subjects including catering and hospitality and horticulture and now, with the help of Tailored Image, this has extended into sewing. The aim of the courses provided here is to equip inmates with the skills and confidence to help them to find employment when they leave prison. With regard to sewing, the desire expressed by students was to manufacture ‘release bags’ in which to carry their belongings home upon their release from prison to replace the traditional brown paper bags or plastic versions. The focus was not only on honing new skills, but to achieve something they could be proud of.
Tailored Image was proud to recently present the college with three high quality sewing machines as well over 200 garments suitable for repurposing and a large quantity of other material to supplement the donation. Alongside the physical donations, students at Hydebank College also benefit from the expertise of the company’s highly experienced sewing engineer Harry McCrory, who has given up his time to provide training and support workshops to help familiarise the students with their new machinery.
Governor, Richard Taylor OBE, commented of the project:
‘We are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work with one of Northern Ireland’s leading companies on this project. Tailored Image and Hydebank Wood are partnering in a new social value project that will ‘make a difference’ to those not only in our care but will support those most at need in our society. Our strapline at HBW is ‘Changing Minds and Changing Lives’ and this project will upskill and create qualifications and the opportunity to gain meaningful employment upon release for both women and young men in our care. Tailored Image have sponsored not only the sewing machines and material but professional tutorial support to allow much needed products to be manufactured on-site, without this proactive engagement and support this work simply would not be possible. All at HBW are very appreciative and thankful for their commitment to add social value.’
As well as the Governor, Tailored Image has also been working closely with Michele McElnea, Safety & Support Manager at Hydebank Wood. Speaking of the project, Bernard Birt, Managing Director at Tailored Image stated: ‘We’ve been hugely impressed with the work being done at Hydebank Wood. In discussions with Michele, she referred at length to students being in ‘our care’, in recognition of the fact that many of those people who come into the prison system have complex needs. That really struck a chord with us as ‘We Care’ is one of our cherished values and we put people at the centre of all we do. We’re delighted to be able to assist in such a worthwhile project where we can see the positive difference our contributions can make to these people and to our wider society.’
Hydebank College has been described by Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long as a ‘model of excellence and good practice, transforming lives,’ and the team at Tailored Image witnessed this for themselves on their visits. Through education and upskilling, inmates are encouraged and supported to transform their lives. The model is a true reflection of restorative justice in action, and rates of reoffending have been dramatically cut because of the hard work of the team here – making our communities a safer place to live.
Speaking of the project, Michele McElnea shared: ‘Our recent inaugural sewing workshop at Rescue@HBW was a resounding success. The enthusiasm among the participants was palpable, as they quickly adapted to using the sewing machine. This is a testament to Harry’s exceptional patience and guidance. Having him here to assist us is truly remarkable.
The fabric we have been given is perfectly suited for the release bags, and the girls shared innovative design ideas during the session.
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at Tailored Image for their support in launching this initiative…without your contributions, this would not have been possible.’