'I applied for 1,000 jobs but they didn't want to know because of my disability'
New research from The Kings Trust Youth Index shows the growing numbers of young people who are struggling to find work
Last updated 27th Feb 2025
A disabled Devon man - who was turned down for more than 1,000 jobs - has backed new research calling for an end to prejudice and citing the almost 1 million young people across the UK who now aren't in education, employment or training.
The study by the Kings Trust Youth Index has been looking into the rising numbers of young people struggling to get work - with a quarter of young people who aren't in education or work now applying for jobs every day.
Brandon Hulcoop - who's blind - told us about one role where he had the skills and experience but they didn't believe him, adding: "I got an email a couple of days later saying that I couldn't have the job because they didn't think I would be able to cope with the visual aspect of it - and that really upset me."
The now 23 year old, from Plymouth, had been unemployed for 18 months before he was supported by The King’s Trust to start his own business.
“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. I am visually impaired and many companies couldn’t get past that. I began to lose hope and I ended up in a sticky situation. Sometimes I just didn't see the point, but Mum and Dad, with the help of my dog Bentley, helped pull me out. Despite my visual impairment, I don't let it stop me from living my life and grabbing every opportunity life throws at me.”
Mr Hulcoop has since set up how own firm - called 'All Things Dotty' - which makes accessible products for visually impaired people and aims to break down stereotypes - making braille menus, to greetings cards, colouring books and artwork.
He said, of the prejudice he faced: "There's tiny little things like 'you can't do this, that or the other' - for example you can't enjoy a zoo - well actually yes I can. 'You can't go and order food independently', well actually yes I can with a bit of help. 'You can't go out and do your shopping and live independently' well actually yes I can. It's these little things that I'm trying to campaign against.
"Disability isn't a disability if you can learn to live with it. I'm 23 years old and I have no sight whatsoever and I've set up my own business, and last week we moved into our own offices."
The entrepreneur says many of his products have proved popular, adding: "Restaurants are really keen to implement braille menus and when they advertise the fact that they have a braille menu - or a large print menu, when they advertise that they see their footfall massively increase and there's a whole new community of people that are coming to their restaurant.
He added: “Once I was being 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.”
What dopes the study show?
More than a quarter of young people in the UK who are not in work, education or training have applied for jobs they do not want because they are desperate to work.
One in five report they are applying for jobs every day and 22% say having a stable job is one of their biggest goals in life.
The data, from the Kings Trust TK Maxx Youth Index also found 50% of so-called NEETs aged 16-25-year-old feel hopeless about their future due to being unemployed.
It reveals that NEET young people have the lowest happiness and overall wellbeing compared to any other group.
Mental health impact of not having a job
The Index found strong links between a young person's work or education status and their mental health.
- 30% state they have experienced a mental health problem due to being unemployed
- 53% of NEET young people report feeling embarrassed being out of work
- Over a quarter of 16–25-year-olds out of work or education say their mental health has stopped them applying for jobs or attending an interview
- One in ten (11%) NEETs say they left employment in the past 12 months due to their mental health.
'Life chances and wellbeing at risk'
Jonathan Townsend, UK Chief Executive of The King’s Trust told Greatest Hits Radio: “We publish the King’s Trust TK Maxx Youth Index today against a backdrop of great instability, economic challenge, and a rapidly changing world of work. Although this is a turbulent time for many young people, it is those who face the most disadvantage and in particular who are NEET, whose life chances and overall wellbeing are most at risk.
“The report presents sobering evidence of the effects of unemployment on young people’s mental health and aspirations, which further impacts their ability to get into work. Yet it confirms what we know to be true from our daily interactions with young people, that so many desperately want to work and have great passion and potential.
“There are almost a million young people currently NEET in the UK, which is equivalent to the third largest city in the UK. This is a crisis that requires urgent action to ensure young people get the support they need to access job opportunities and take control of their future.”