🗞️ “I Was One of Them”: How Malik Is Helping London’s Youth Step Away from Knife Crime 🔪➡️🤝
On a sunny afternoon in South London, I met Malik — a 29-year-old community mentor, local gym coach, and by all accounts, the guy everyone in the neighbourhood knows and trusts. 👊🏽
What makes Malik special isn’t just his calm, commanding presence or the way teens light up when they see him. It’s the fact that he gets it. He’s walked the same streets, faced the same pressures, and — in his own words — “was one of them.”
“I’m not here to preach. I’m here to relate,” he tells me, leaning forward. “At 15, I was carrying for ‘protection’. I nearly lost my life, and worse, nearly took someone else’s.”
Fast forward to today, Malik is the founder of Break the Blade, a grassroots program offering boxing classes, mentorship, job coaching and a safe space for kids at risk of being pulled into gang life. 🥊👥
And he’s doing it all with zero government funding. Just donations, volunteers, and love for the community.
🧒🏽👧🏿 Why Kids Trust Him
When I asked 17-year-old Jayden why he goes to Malik’s sessions every week instead of hanging with his usual crew, his answer was simple:
“He listens. He doesn’t look down on us.”
Malik makes it his mission to know every teen that walks through the door — their stories, struggles, and strengths. There’s no shouting, no judgment, just structure and support.
💡 A New Kind of Prevention
Instead of focusing on punishment, Malik’s approach is about prevention through purpose. Many of the young people he works with are now in college, apprenticeships, or working towards coaching badges. One former gang-affiliated teen is now leading warm-ups at the gym. 🔁✨
“They don’t want the street life,” Malik says. “They just don’t see another option. I’m here to show them there is one.”
🚨 Calling Out the System
Malik isn’t afraid to speak out. He’s critical of cuts to youth services and the lack of safe, positive spaces for teenagers in London.
“We need more than police on the corners. We need people in the communities.”
He’s calling for more collaboration between local councils, schools, and community leaders — and hopes the city will start investing in long-term, grassroots solutions.
🏁 What’s Next?
Break the Blade is expanding. Malik just signed a lease on a second space in East London and is training three former participants to become official youth mentors. 💪
But his dream? To take the model nationwide.
“Every postcode deserves hope,” he says.
❤️ Final Words
As we wrap up, Malik walks back into the gym, where a group of kids are waiting with gloves on. One of them — no older than 13 — asks, “Coach, can we start early today?”
Malik smiles. “Let’s get it.”
And just like that, another evening begins — not on the streets, but in a place built on sweat, respect, and second chances. 🥊🕊️
