Hundreds of young people looking to build new skills are being given a push in the right direction thanks to a £75,000 grant from Durham Freemasons.
The organisation has committed a massive £50,000 to support community projects delivered across the region over two years by those taking part in The Prince’s Trust’s Team programme, with a further £25,000 donated to the work of the national charity.
“To commemorate King Charles turning 75, and following on from his coronation, we wanted to give a significant grant to a charity or charities connected to the King,” said John Watts, assistant provincial grand master with Durham Freemasons.
“When we heard about the projects being carried out locally by those taking part in The Prince’s Trust Team programme, it seemed the perfect fit.”
The 12-week personal development course offers young people, aged 16 to 25, the chance to develop new skills by taking part in activities and tasks, including a two-week community project. By working together, with a focus on helping others, Team members brush up on essential skills such as teamwork, confidence and leadership.
Prince’s Trust Teams are held in 13 locations across the Durham Freemasons’ jurisdiction, three times a year, including Teams in Stockton, Darlington and Bishop Auckland which are delivered by the Education Training Collective (Etc.). The grant will now fund community projects in all 13 Team areas for the next two years.
Volunteers from the Freemasons also committed their time and expertise to act as “dragons” for the young people as they pitch for funding in “Dragons’ Den” style presentations.
Among the first projects to get off the ground, youngsters from the Etc. Prince’s Trust Stockton Team created a play area in the garden at Thornaby Methodist Church. Stockton Team leader, Sarah Sherriff, said: “It was a big job as the area was so overgrown, but it made a big difference to the church and the community groups that use it.”
Successfully pitching for £660 from the Durham Freemasons’ fund Sarah said: “The team members were nervous at first but had done their research and so once they got into it, they relaxed and did well.
“Raising funds for the community project is a struggle these days, so to have this funding helps massively and for the young people it helps with their confidence and public speaking, which is great experience.”
Team member Tamzin, 23, from Stockton, said: “We were so grateful for the support we received. To see the finished garden and the amount of work we had put in as a team was breath-taking.”
Other Team projects delivered so far, supported by funding from the Durham Freemasons, include masonry work carried out on the playground at Timothy Hackworth Primary School in Shildon, a refresh of the sensory room for New Steps Care in the Community in Chester-le-Street, redecorating the Tanfield Football Club changing rooms, and building goat pens and chicken coops at Bill Quay Farm in South Shields.
The Etc.’s head of department for The Prince’s Trust, Gillian Hutchinson, said: “Having financial backing means our projects will make a real difference in our communities. But, beyond that, to have Durham Freemasons engaging with our Teams, through the Dragons’ Den presentations, listening to their plans and offering advice and support, is invaluable to our young people.”
The Freemasons’ assistant provincial grand master, John, said: “What we have experienced so far in our first round of funding is wonderful. Not only do we get to support a great charity, but we get to see and engage with the young people involved firsthand, and then the projects they deliver benefit the wider community.
“It has been amazing to see the excitement of the young people as they successfully pitch their community projects to us, and then, coming back to see the projects complete, we can see the change in the young people with the growth of their self-belief and self-confidence.
“Some of our members have come back from the “Dragons’ Den” presentations and said, this is one of the most meaningful things they have been able to do as Freemasons.”
