Ex-convict has youth club plans
AREFORMED criminal has launched a mentoring programme for young people in Stockport.
Thomas Riley, 31, who grew up in Edgeley and now lives in Bredbury, is a former drug addict and was jailed a number of times for crimes including possession of an offensive weapon and theft.
While he was inside he did an HND in business and decided he wanted to mentor young people through music – and when he was released four years ago he put his plan into action.
Thomas said: “I really believe in positive thinking.
“I have lived with depression in my life for years, and I think most of my drug taking and the problems it led to came from that.”
With help from John Hopkins, founder of The Big Ask, a company that works with ex-addicts, he founded QTalk Promotions and Mentoring.
He is also hoping to set up a youth club, called QClub, and a music studio in Stockport.
Thomas has received sponsorship for the project from Blacka Acoustics, a Stockport-based company that installs sound and lighting equipment.
Drum and bass producer Ed Solo is also releasing a single, Man Who Don’t Quit, with the proceeds will go towards the project.
Thomas was joined by Blacka Acoustics plus his other supporters, Matt’s Plaice fish and chip shop in Romiley and Mode Coun- selling, for an ‘after school party’ promoting the single release.
He says he is hoping to have the youth club set up in Woodley by the summer, and in the long term wants to establish two more in Stockport.
He said: “We will work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and hopefully stop them from making the mistakes I did.”
The first fundraising event for QTalk, ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’, will be a house and garage music night for 11 to 16-year-olds this weekend.
It will take place on Saturday (May 23) at Palace Sports Bar in Woodley from 6pm to 9pm. For tickets at £5 call 07551 333900.
Thomas is still on the lookout for sponsorship and is on Facebook.