Express & Star

Ex-offender leads community event against gang culture

An ex-offender is bringing the community together to teach children about the dangers of joining gangs.

Published
Boxing coach Daniel McFarlane, Michael Miles and BMX rider Sam Jones were all on hand the entertain the children.

Michael Miles, 41, has organised a series of fun-days at Lunt Community Centre, in Bilston.

The eight fun-days, which run every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout August, are for children aged five to 17 and involve refreshments, educational talks about good decision-making and the consequences of being in gangs, as well as lunch, life-skills classes such as pizza-making and afternoon activities including face-painting, football and go karting.

Mr Miles, who was released from prison in June last year after serving 13 years for two violent attacks, said: "I'm hoping the children take something away from this and better themselves and make the right decisions. For the days that they're here, I know they're not getting into trouble and it makes me happy to know the kids are off the streets."

Mr Miles, who grew up in the Bilston area, says he could not have run the project without the support of the James Beatties Trust, who donated £3900, Wednesfield Taxis, who donated £1000 and offered to drive children to and from the centre, and Morrisons who funded lunch for every fun-day through their community champions scheme.

Michael Miles was on hand the entertain the children..

The fun-days, which welcomed 21 children on its first day on August 6 and nearly 60 children on its second day on August 7, are part of a range of ways Mr Miles has tried to help the community since his release from prison.

He began his own youth programme based on his experiences, called 'Michael's journey from bad to good', teaching school children about gang and prison life and the impact on victims.

He also mentors children who have been referred through a court referral system and will be starting a new job in September, organised by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner called Precious Lives, which will see him talk to students at schools and colleges throughout the West Midlands about topics including drugs, gangs and the pressure to get involved in crime.

Mr Miles, who is hoping to gain funding to run activities at the community centre on a regular basis, said: "If any children want to come and get involved, please come and get involved. It's open to anyone and everybody's welcome. It's a safe environment for people to put their children."

By Becky Tombs

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.