A man who "hated" what he saw in the mirror has turned his life around to help those in need.
After years of drug abuse and crime, Ian Miles transformed his life after he hit rock bottom. Now a pastor of Prescot Community Church, he is doing all he can to help struggling families.
The church, supporting residents in Prescot and Whiston, has recently opened a community supermarket providing much needed support during the cost of living crisis. And Ian said now more than ever, families are struggling for the "basic needs".
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He told the ECHO: "There's a high level of struggling people in Knowsley. As a Christian, as a human, I find it so hard to see people in this position struggling for the basics in life. Everything we offer at the supermarket are necessities, we will never turn anyone away.
"Eating or heating should never be a choice, it's not right. I myself know what it's like to have nothing and be in need of support."
Ian spent many years as a drug addict from the age of 14 and "going down a path of crime", but two pastures in his local church near London "never gave up". He told the ECHO despite his troubles, those two men "saw beyond the problem".
He said: "One day I tried to take my own life, I hated what I saw in the mirror, I hated what I'd done to myself and family. I came around eight hours later on the bedroom floor and said a prayer.
"For the first time in forever, I felt accepted and cared for. I realised I had to get my head together and I called one of the pastures. Something drew me back to the church, I found acceptance there."
It was soon after Ian went to a Christian rehabilitation centre and began to turn his life around, turning to religion, and he has "never looked back". He said: "I've got a lot of empathy with people. You don't need to be where I've been to have that empathy, but I've been rock bottom and I can relate to people."
Volunteers at Prescot Community Church have been providing essential support to local communities, firstly through the pandemic and now through the cost of living crisis. Open on a Wednesday and Thursday, Ian said they are already seeing a dire need.
The dad, who moved to Liverpool from Scotland with his family, added: "Already it's obvious people need help. Sometimes, people just need someone to talk to as they are living alone, but our next stage is to open a community kitchen which will link to the supermarket and our toddler groups and other projects.
"These have to be sustainable. I can't see this crisis going away any time soon and already it has surpassed my expectations. We had 50 people in four hours sign up and my social media messages are full."
Ian told the ECHO: "We had an elderly lady last week, her son brought her down, and she was very emotional that people were prepared to give up their time and energy to help people like her.
"Our aim is to meet the needs of the community. There are no words. Can the government do more? I believe they can."
The project, in partnership with Explore and supported by Knowsley Council, Knowsley Better Together and Feeding Britain, means no-one will be judged, regardless of their circumstances in needing support. It is hoped as the project grows, it can expand to further meet the needs of the community.
Located on Old Colliery Road in Whiston (L13 3SX), the community supermarket is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week from 10.30am until 12.30pm. People can pick up essential items for a discounted price.
Ian added: "My wife is originally from Liverpool so it's a homecoming for her but it felt right to move here. I was led by God. Both our backgrounds are in the drugs scene and we find it easy to relate to people, people who are struggling and there are a lot of issues like that around here, it was the right time."
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