Former gang member helps senior citizens on football match days

A former member of a notorious London gang is building his skills and giving back as a volunteer for FC United of Manchester.  As a young man, Sam* was arrested in the late 1990s having been tailed by the police for a number of years for several high profile criminal offences.  After a prison sentence of 14 years, Sam was referred to WWV by the Manchester Multi-Agency Gang Strategy (MMAGS), an organisation that deals with young men involved in inner city gang and drug warfare.  MMAGS works to tackle the problem of street gangs through rehabilitation and support, as well as opportunities in education and employment for ex-gang members.
 
Sam was aware that his chequered past would make volunteering anywhere difficult, but was willing to work with anyone who would assist him in achieving his goals.  Through WWV, Sam now volunteers with FC United of Manchester, a community-owned football club which values supporter involvement.  As a Matchday Befriender, Sam enables senior citizens to enjoy the club - helping them get to and from the stadium and keeping their company during matches.  Ex-offender Project Manager Aaron Jackman has praised Sam for this progress, ‘He is now unrecognisable from the surly youth who was arrested in the early ‘90s. When I first met him, I could not believe that such a polite, gentle man could have had such a violent past.  I’m so pleased we were able to find Sam an outlet for his creative energy in volunteer work.’ 
 
Since prison, Sam spends his time giving testimony to police officers, academics and filmmakers all over the UK.  He is in the process of writing a book about his past life and hopes to use volunteering as a tool to help his aspirations within social enterprise.  Volunteering with FC United has truly helped Sam get on the right track;  “A great way to get to know people, and to have new and interesting conversations and connections.”

Sam* has had his name changed for privacy purposes.