Willesden Green hairdresser looking to cut crime with a comb

Michael Roberts, who owns Michael’s Styles in the High Road, is looking to raise £10,000 to kick-start a free youth training programme for under 18’s.

The 42-year-old hopes to teach youngsters hairdressing, barbering skills, beauty and facial treats in summer holiday workshops and needs donations to make it work.

He said: “It’s getting really serious out there at the moment with the amount of stabbings and crimes. I thought what can I do to give back?

“I grew up in Stonebridge, I went to the College of North West London. We all need to think what we can do.

“I thought I’m going to give these young people a comb because that’s something they can really benefit from.”

Mr Roberts, a former Queen’s Park Community School pupil who now lives in Kensal Green, studied catering for five years before turning his hand to hairdressing, which started as a hobby and grew into his livelihood,

He is looking to run six-week programmes, a session a week, from his salon initially but hopes someone can offer him a larger space to use.

He will start the programme before the summer holidays in July so his students have “something to look forward to every week”. He’ll even give them homework to bring to their next class.

He said: “We’re looking for basic funding towards running the programme which will go on things like uniforms, equipment, products. I’ll have other stylists to come in and give seminars. I also want to give them certificates at the end so they know they’ve really achieved something.

“I think they will like it. It’s something to look forward to and it gets them off the street.

“We need to keep them occupied and this can give them long term skills they can use in the future.”

He added: “I just need some help. If someone can offer us a bigger space I can offer it to more people. I thank everyone in advance for any donation they make.”

Visit: gofundme.com/michaelstylestomorow