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Jason Wilson

Jason’s story is a remarkable one. Up until recently Jason, aged 22, could neither read nor write. With the help of his wife and a Global Grant, Jason discovered a real passion and talent for writing and has now published his first book.

Jason Wilson suffers from numerous health problems including learning disabilities and arthritis. All his life he has been told he would never achieve anything and that he is completely unemployable. Determined to prove to everyone just how wrong they were, Jason applied to us for a Global Grant. This grant enabled him to get his first book published.

‘Travels of a Grasshopper’ is a short travel book about his time in the Territorial Army Cadets and the time he spent travelling with his wife. The aim of his book is to show other people with similar disabilities and backgrounds to himself that they too can do something special with their lives.

"I'd like to thank everyone at the Foundation and all who work with them for this opportunity, which has not only turned my life around but will also hopefully inspire other people like myself who have been led to believe they will never accomplish anything."

Global Grants

In 2003 County Durham Foundation was chosen by the European Commission to administer their Global Grants programme throughout County Durham and Darlington. We have distributed over £300,000 in 275 grants since then. The Global Grants programme requires 55% private and public matched funding, to draw down 45% European funding. This has proved popular with many of our private fund holders who like the added value that attracting the European funding brings to their grant-making. Private contributors include County Durham Development Company, County Durham Educational Trust, British American Tobacco, Marchday and Guy Readman. Public contributors include Neighbourhood Renewal, Action Team for Jobs in Easington, Chester-le-Street and Wear Valley.

Global Grants provide a means for excluded individuals and groups to develop their skills, receive accredited training and move towards secure employment. These grants provide a lifeline for people who have been turned down for all other sources of funding.

“The Global Grants programme has proved to be a very successful way of allowing marginalised and disadvantaged people to work towards achieving their employment potential. The success stories we know about to date confirm that these grants have changed people’s lives.”

Christina Rackley, Grants and Development Manager.

To read case studies of successful Global Grant recipients click on the following quotes:

Maria, aged 41:

“Thank you very much for the opportunity to allow me to complete my training. Please continue to give out money to allow people to train, raising the standards within the workplace and inspiring people to improve their environments and opening up more opportunities to them. Thank you!”

Daniel, aged 20:

“Thank you very much for the opportunity for me to get training and put the past behind me. I thought with my background I would not be able to move on. Thank you!”

Robert, aged 58:

“I thought that when I was made redundant and I’d paid of all my debts, like my house, that my life would be straight forward. It was really hard at first. I’ve worked all my life and I thought I was just going to have to adjust to it. Then things happened and I was suddenly left with no money, no security, no job and too old to start a new life. I just can’t tell you what difference this has made to me. The grant didn’t just pay for my training; it gave me an opportunity to get my self-confidence back. A year on and at 59 years old I’ve worked solidly – I’ve been so busy I only managed to have 8 weeks off in a whole year! I work with a bunch of men from all different backgrounds and I’ve travelled all over the country. What can I say? A big thank you to you all!

Brian, aged 45:

“The application and assessment process was straight forward and help and support were constantly available if you did have any problems. Keep doing what you are doing, keep giving out the Grants - you never know when I may need your help again! Thank you, so much!”

Sam, aged 18:

“Thank you very much for the opportunity to allow me to train. It was easy to apply and the help I received from Lascelles was great. I’m determined that when the weather improves the work will come flooding in. Thanks again!”

John, aged 55:

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed my training or how much I appreciate the opportunity to do it. The more training I’ve done, the more interesting it becomes. I work 4 nights a week and go to college 4 days a week. Yes, it’s exhausting but it’s what I need to do, and want to do, to get the job I want. When I was made redundant I thought the chances of me becoming employed again were remote because of my age. Now, I enjoy this so much I want to carry on doing more. It’s so interesting. I’m sending you [County Durham Foundation] a full report on what I’ve achieved at the end, so that you can show other people that it can be done. Thank you”.

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