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 gem 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 and collaborations include working with Ai Weiwei, Kit Kemp who's founder of the Firmdale Hotel group, Cath Kidston, 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

Fine Cell Work Insta: @finecellwork

This is our last episode in this Series. I hope you have enjoyed the line up and questions. It would be fab to hear who you would like on the show, what you would like to hear more of, less of and none of. Just DM me via socials or ping me an email via the website. Keep an eye out for a new podcast I will be creating which launches in the Autumn. Exact date tbc.

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Don’t forgot to hit follow to catch the latest episode and if you are feeling super generous I would treasure a rate and review (Apple). Do share away with any mates, neighbours, colleagues, family if you think they may gain a nugget or two of inspiration or insight.

To keep up to speed with me and life with Hope & Patience join us on Insta/twitter @amelia_rope, Facebook @hopeandpatience Clubhouse: @ameliapod

Worry less. Smile more. Until the next time … keep your sparkle.

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I think in the beginning, the first pain was, I don't know what the hell I'm doing, and then it was a lot of accumulating knowledge and just learning and trying out different things until I found my way. Then the next pain was, I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, but I'm not really getting enough clients. That then turned into testing out different offers, creating funnels learning about just how to attract clients instead of just growing my audience. 

Carla Biesinger has created a business which quite literally moves countries as, and when she does, which until the pandemic included Mexico, New York City, Barcelona, Berlin, and finally Lisbon. She's an early adopter of life as a digital nomad and in her words, a freedom-driven entrepreneur. From a love of food, our guests ended up becoming an Instagram expert and online course creator with her immensely popular course, Instagram Secrets to Success, and has choked up a following of over 45,000. An audience of over 100,000 subscribers and most recently added the role of business mentor to her brand.

We chat about the how's and why's she went from the world of restaurants to the world of instagram, the growing pains and challenges of converting followers into clients, why she has potentially now found her home for a while, where the pandemic affected her business, where her strengths were, her thoughts on social media and in particular instagram, how she copes with stress, where she has had to have hope and patience and much more.

My recommendation: Three Little Birds ~ Bob Marley

Carla's book recommendation: Super Attractor ~ Gabby Bernstein

Chocolate: Lindt Dark Chocolate Orange

Quote: Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all ~ Ernest Shackleton

Carla Biesinger Insta: @carlabiesinger

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Our Series Special is the next episode and then we are taking a bit of a summer break. Hope and Patience will be back in the autumn. To be the first to catch Series 4 hop onto the follow/subscribe button or keep an eye out on our socials/newsletter announcement. I will be busy working on a new project, reading and chilling and also conjuring up more fab guest for Series 4. Have a wonderful summer, make sure you take time for you and if you haven't managed to keep up to speed with all the episodes in this Series there are a few months for you to dip in and catch up! Thank you for joining the chat at Hope & Patience. You are absolute treasures.

Keep an eye out for our special episode out next week here I get to chat with the Founding Director of a charity which is very close to my heart and who I volunteer for.

To keep up to speed with me and life with Hope & Patience join us on Insta/twitter @amelia_rope, Facebook @hopeandpatience Clubhouse: @ameliapod

Worry less. Smile more. Until the next time … keep your sparkle.

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'If you failed at something, it's because you tried something new. It doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with that if it doesn't go the way you want, but you do need to get up and try again until you make a success.'

Chris Stylianou and his team takes his clients on adventures - and guess what you don’t need to move very far to get adventuring. He’s the founder of an award-winning escape game business, originally designed to be a physical experience when it launched in 2019 - but as you’ll discover the pandemic flipped that business model on its head and took it online.  Featured in Huffington Post, London Live, the Financial Times, described by Time Out as ‘one of the best online experiences’ and with a predicted turnover of £3/4 million this year he’s a guy travelling on the upward curve with his business.

Chris and I chat about the trigger which propelled him taking The Adventure is Real from a side hustle to be his full time ambition, how life was just on track before the curveball of the pandemic as well as losing his dad, why Chris and his team recreated the offering to an online one within 2 weeks of the first lockdown and how it worked, fundraising, the influence of his dad (who sadly died during the pandemic), how he copes with stress and much more.

My book recommendation: Hector and the Search for Happiness ~ Francois Lelord

Chris's book recommendation: The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell & The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

Chocolate: Dairy Milk

Quote: It's a mistake to think that happiness is the goal ~ Francois Lelord

Agent Venture

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER WITH A CHANCE TO WIN OUR H&P CHOCOLATE BAR.

Don’t forgot to hit follow to catch the latest episode and if you are feeling super generous I would treasure a rate and review (Apple). Do share away with any mates, neighbours, colleagues, family if you think they may gain a nugget or two of inspiration or insight.

To keep up to speed with me and life with Hope & Patience join us on Insta/twitter @amelia_rope, Facebook @hopeandpatience Clubhouse: @ameliapod

Worry less. Smile more. Until the next time … keep your sparkle.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.