"The Joseph and Jane Cowen Training School.
For maimed Soldiers and Sailors.

Benwell Grange, the mansion which the trustees have taken as a school for the training of maimed soldiers will shortly be ready to receive occupants. The home is situated close to the terminus of the Benwell tramways.

The committee have arranged to give instruction in and to prepare men for taking up one of the following trades, whereby they may be subsequently enabled to earn their own living: boot and shoe repairing; hair cutting; baking and confectionery; linotype and typesetting; wood work, especially for household purposes; electrical wiring and lighting; motor driving and repairing; and gardening. Applications from men desiring to be taught other trades will be considered.

The men who are selected will be housed and given, free of charge, instruction in one or other of the above-mentioned trades for a period of about three months. Soldiers and sailors who wish to take advantage of the above are requested to send in their names at once to Sir Thomas Oliver, Northumberland War Hospital, Gosforth, or to his private address, 7 Ellison Place, Newcastle, stating age, previous occupation and the nature of the wounds they have suffered from."

The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 02/07/1920 carries an article about the impending closure of the Joseph and Jane Cowen Training School for Disabled Soldiers and Sailors in Benwell Grange.

It was set up in 1916, before the Ministry of Pensions was formed, through the generosity of Miss Cowen, of Stella Hall, in memory of her parents. "It was founded at a time when nothing quite like it existed in this part of the country". It's sole object was to help the maimed to take up new trades to enable them to earn a livelihood. 340 men were trained and were doing well. They had learned to become electricians, boot repairers, cinema operators, wireless telegraphists, clerks, tailors, hairdressers, telephone operators, lathe workers, gardeners, typists, etc.

The home was closed when two Ministry of Labour establishments were set up at Walker and Birtley and Cowen Hall was now superfluous.

The Matron had been Mrs. Moullin, who took charge in July 1916.

The centre had been very well supported by people in Newcastle and the area who held fund-raising events for the purpose. One gift included dates from India. Children brought money for cigarettes and cakes.