BREAKOUT - Built Different By Design

A few weeks ago BREAKOUT didn’t exist…

At the end of March, almost 100 leaders came together to support the launch of something that, for a long time, only existed as an idea in my head.

BREAKOUT was built from a very personal frustration and a firm belief that:

YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM.
THE SYSTEM IS.

We exist to support 16-25 year olds facing barriers to opportunity by helping them build confidence, develop practical employability skills and access clearer pathways into employment and their future.

For years, I’ve worked alongside young people who are full of talent, personality, resilience and potential, yet constantly made to feel like they are behind, not enough, or locked out of opportunity altogether. I’ve met young people applying for upwards of 150 roles with absolutely no success, slowly losing confidence in themselves with every rejection, despite having huge potential.

Too often, young people are expected to navigate systems that were never truly designed with them in mind.

Not because they lack ambition or ability, but because they lack access.
Access to networks, guidance, opportunities and people in their corner who genuinely believe in them. 

BREAKOUT was created to sit in the space between policy ambition and lived reality, the place where good intentions often fall down and young people are left trying to figure everything out on their own.

We wanted to create something different. Something more human, more practical and more relational. A space where young people feel seen, supported and connected to real opportunities whilst building confidence, employability skills and belief in their own potential.

Since launching, we’ve already delivered our very first Future Focus cohort with a group of incredible young people from across Greater Manchester and honestly, seeing the impact across those three days has been incredibly emotional at times.

Watching young people come in carrying self-doubt and uncertainty, then slowly begin to recognise their own value and confidence by the end of the programme was genuinely powerful to witness.

Over the three days, young people took part in:
- confidence and communication sessions
- employability and workplace readiness support
- CPD-accredited employability modules
- behavioural profiling and AI interview support
- mentoring and professional networking
- direct exposure to employers and opportunities

But importantly, the support doesn’t stop there.

Every young person continues to receive mentoring and progression support for at least six months afterwards as they continue navigating education, employment and opportunity.

The response to the first cohort has honestly been incredible:
- 100% of young people said they would recommend the programme
- 100% of volunteers said they’d want to support again

More than anything though, the programme reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time:

When young people feel seen, supported and connected to real opportunity, the potential is endless.

We’re now fundraising to help us continue building BREAKOUT and create opportunities for more young people in the months ahead.

Donations will help support:
- programme delivery
- mentoring and ongoing support
- CPD-accredited employability tools and resources
- food, materials and accessibility support
- community and networking opportunities for young people

This summer, supporters, mentors and partners will also come together for our first BREAKOUT Day fundraising challenge as we take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks together.

If this resonates with you, thank you. Whether that’s through donating, mentoring, sharing the mission or simply backing the journey so far, it genuinely feels like we’re building something meaningful together!

Roman
Founder & CEO - BREAKOUT

BREAKOUT is currently incubated within The Gift Academy / Grace Incorporation Faith Trust (GIFT), a registered charity. 

All donations made through this page are ring-fenced exclusively to support BREAKOUT’s work with young people, including programme delivery, mentoring and progression support. 

https://www.breakoutcharity.co.uk