Billy Green-Wright

Billy Green-Wright, Web Marketer Trainee, Breakout Media

Currently on a 6 month work placement

Billy Green-Wright is a Web Marketer Trainee with Breakout Media. The organisation works with young ex-offenders to train them in digital media. Billy, as one of the young people on staff, got into crime because he felt he had nothing good in his life to live for. Here he explains the journey he's been through.

"My dad got murdered when I was 3, my mum was on drugs and our house was set on fire when I was around 10 years old. A string of bad things happened to me, while I was growing up. I eventually left school at year 10, because I felt it wasn’t for me.  I took on dead end jobs from year 10 onwards as an assistant in construction work and wholesaling. All the while I was constantly pressured into drug dealing, got into crime and got caught.

When you’re in prison you don’t really care for all the superficial stuff like money, fame, cars, girls, or branded clothing – you think about family, freedom and a new crime-free life. I took this opportunity with Breakout Media, because I wanted something better for me and my family.  I’m a young parent, living on a council estate with my girlfriend.  I want to be a good role model for my one and a half year old daughter. I want to make ends meet for myself but in a positive way.

I’m really happy now. I’m now learning to focus on the positives in life. Before I started I knew very little of computers and Facebook. Striding Out and Breakout Media have moved me on in leaps and bounds in a whole new world of online communications and media. I look forward to a day when I can train other young people in my situation. I want to be able to look them in the eye, know where they are coming from and say, ‘you don’t have to be so negative or feel hopeless – there are positive and good things out there’.

In fact, I’m always thinking about what I can do to channel young people into positive activities, skills and good stuff. Because being bad only leads to a ruined life and even being locked up. My plans for the future also include launching a positive record label and clothing brand."

At Breakout Media, not only are they taken through a course of practical training in digital media, but through their months of learning, the young people also get coaching support to empower them as individuals and to equip them with the skills to work with peers.

"Coaching has been really powerful for me, especially because I’ve let it be. In the past I’ve been resistant to help. Now it’s a different story. I’m ready to make a new life. I’m even mending relationships with mum and making a positive impact on my brother and other friends in my social circle. The great thing about Breakout Media and Striding Out is that the people know where I’m coming from. Some of them have been in my situation and know why crime can take over a life. It’s aspiring to be able to talk to someone who’s made it to the other side and wants me to succeed as much as I do."

For more information on Breakout Media, career coaching or work placements contact Striding Out on 0845 452 4085 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .