A 23-year-old from Plymouth, Brandon Hulcoop, has shared his journey of struggling to find employment after applying for over 1,000 jobs. Despite attending 50 to 60 interviews, he faced constant rejection, often due to his visual impairment. Brandon’s efforts eventually led him to a special enterprise course designed to help young people find work, organized by The King’s Trust.

For 18 months, Brandon was unemployed, applying for jobs every day and facing rejection after rejection. He said: “I was constantly looking for jobs, applying every single day, spending all day at the computer. I must have been to about 50-60 interviews and was turned down from every single one, either because I didn’t have the experience or because of my disability.”

Brandon found support in his family and his guide dog, Bentley, who helped him keep going. Despite the challenges of his visual impairment, Brandon remained determined to pursue opportunities. “I don’t let it stop me from living my life and grabbing every opportunity life throws at me,” he said.

After discussing his needs with a work coach, he was referred to The King’s Trust, which provided the necessary support to launch his own business. Today, Brandon is the owner of All Things Dotty, a company that creates accessible products such as braille menus, greeting cards, coloring books, and artwork for visually impaired individuals, their families, and businesses.

Brandon expressed his gratitude, saying: “Once I was supported by The Trust, it felt like there weren’t any barriers for me anymore. All of the course materials were modified for me, for which I was very grateful. No other companies would do that for me. I can’t find the words to express how much that meant to me as I was in such a dark place.”

The King’s Trust TK Maxx Youth Index 2025, released on February 28, revealed that 50% of young people in the South West feel anxious about their future on a daily basis. The report highlights concerns about job security, financial stability, and owning a home. Despite these challenges, over two-thirds of young people feel that having a job brings them confidence about their future and the financial stability they need.

Karl Culleton, Head of Delivery for the South West at The King’s Trust, commented, “The research highlights the deep uncertainty many young people feel about their futures. Concerns about job security and career prospects are negatively impacting young people’s mental health and confidence. Without urgent action, we risk a generation feeling locked out of accessing their potential and having stable, fulfilling lives.”