Local Author inspires young people to achieve more
Local author Jason Cook paid an inspirational visit to young people in Hatfield to share his life story about how he has transformed his life from one of drugs and violence to a new and legitimate life.
The young people, who all attend Future Pathways Entry to Employment (e2e) programme heard how as a bored teenager Jason has shunned a life of hard work in favour of excitement, a significant drug habit and money. After becoming involved with gangs and spending time in prison he turned his life around.While in prison began to write and realised his former life was unfulfilling and started to crave a new life.
Jason, who is dyslexic, spoke to the young people about his experiences, good and bad, and how he overcome barriers to become a published author of ‘There’s no Room for Jugglers in my Circus’.
The young people where impressed by his frankness and found they could relate to his former situation. Many of the young people themselves have experienced similar issues to Jason and found his openness about his personal experiences on the effects of drugs and gangs refreshing. The visit showed how whatever background anyone had experienced that it did not have to shape their futures.
Young people said “I was grateful that Jason came in and shared his life with and it was good to learn how to say no to peer pressure and drugs and why you shouldn’t get involved with them”.
ENDS
Notes to editors: For further information and to confirm attendance contact Zoe Tolman, igen Communications and Research Executive, email: zoe.tolman@igengroup.co.uk, Tel: 0113 226 2132, Mobile, 07824 505 518.
