Swindon ex-gang member says boxing and coaching 'saved her life'

Jess Bryden is a boxing coach at the charity her dad Don Bryden set up

An ex-gang member, who now coaches boxing, says the sport "saved her life" and gave her a purpose.

Jess Bryden, 18, from Swindon says she became exposed to criminal exploitation from as early as 12-years-old.

Wanting to save his daughter from criminality, her dad Don Bryden set up a charity called BEST - Be a Better You in 2020.

"I think I had a lucky escape. Not many people can get out of that lifestyle," said Ms Bryden.

She says she would probably be "living on the streets" if she was still involved with gangs.

"I'd be homeless, I'd have nothing, I'd have spent all my money on drugs and I wouldn't have much to offer," she added.

Ms Bryden now works for Best as a coach, helping other young people who have been caught up in gangs and violence.

Don Bryden, chief executive of Best, wants to create positive experiences for young peope

Her dad set up the charity to creative a positive experience for young people with social and mental health barriers.

"Everyone that works at BEST has been through some turmoil in their life and they've come through it. Everyone is a survivor and has got a story to tell."

Prince William visited the charity in September to hear about the work they do to improve the lives of young people.

The Prince of Wales spoke to Jess about her personal story and how the charity has helped her turn her life around.

"I wasn't going to let my daughter be collateral damage," said Mr Bryden, describing the ordeal his family faced.

He explained how his daughter's mental health spiralled, and she was sectioned after attempting to end her life.

"At the time I was so high that I didn't know what was going on," said Ms Bryden

"I knew deep down that this couldn't go on any further.

"It was either go to prison or be sectioned. If it wasn't for me being sectioned, I don't think I would have come out the other side of it."

Be a Better You provides one-to-one mentoring and sports coaching

After she was sectioned, Ms Bryden spent some time out of the country. She left behind her former life, with little or no access to social media.

When she came back, she joined Best, where coach Paul Rogers took her under his wing and showed her boxing.

"It was in that sport that I actually found talent," she said.

"[I used to] fight on the streets - but turning that negative into a positive in the ring is really where I found myself."

Through training, Ms Bryden says she is now able to apply the discipline she has learned in the gym to everyday life.

"In the gym, we really do get pushed to our absolute max.

"We're broken sometimes but I appreciate that so much because it's allowed me to find strength in myself and the discipline it teaches me."

'Purpose'

She says she has found even more strength through helping and empowering young people.

"It's giving them a purpose - that's what I was missing as a kid growing up. I didn't have a purpose until I found boxing."

Mr Bryden says criminal exploitation is affecting young people across the country - regardless of their wealth or class.

He says part of the problem is the closure of youth centres and lack of activities for young people to engage in.

"This is across the country. Whether you have money or not. Whether you live in affluent place or you don't.

"I would say the majority of what I've seen are middle class to upper class kids that are getting into trouble."

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