Brandon’s Story: From Giving Up to Gaining Motivation and Employment
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This week, we caught up with Brandon as part of our aftercare follow-up. His story is one that reminds us why our work matters.
When Brandon first walked into one of our Boss Your Future – Meet & Motivate sessions at the Swinton Gateway, he was on the edge of giving up. Life had felt overwhelming, and his confidence had taken a huge knock. Sadly, Brandon’s experience reflects what so many young people are going through today. Across Greater Manchester, countless young people are struggling with their mental health, feeling isolated, hopeless, and unsure of their next steps. But during that session, something changed. Hearing lived experiences, stories of resilience, and messages of hope gave Brandon a new perspective.
In his own words, Brandon shared:
“Well, it just shows me, it just puts everything into perspective that life isn’t that bad and there are opportunities everywhere you go and just carry on. Because obviously my head’s fallen off a bit recently and I’ve just thought about giving up, so it’s sort of giving me back that motivation.”
That spark became a turning point. Now, in our follow-up, we’re proud to share that Brandon has been in full-time employment for the last 6 months. Brandon’s journey shows the power of Boss Your Future: restoring hope, trust, purpose, and opportunity for young people. It proves that with the right encouragement, they can not only rebuild their confidence but also thrive in work and life.
Voices of Support
Sam Smith, Co-Director of Genuine Futures CIC, said
“Brandon’s words cut right to the heart of why we do this. To hear a young person say ‘it puts it into perspective’ after being ready to give up is powerful. His success in sustaining full-time employment shows what’s possible when we restore belief and create opportunities.”
Mike Alleyne, Co-Director of Genuine Futures CIC, added
“Brandon is living proof that one positive intervention can change a life. Our programme isn’t just about training or jobs — it’s about restoring confidence, building resilience, and proving to young people that they have a future worth fighting for.”
David Morgan, Founder of Entrepreneurs Unlocked, shared:
“As a delivery partner, I’ve seen first-hand the difference Boss Your Future makes. Brandon’s story shows that when we combine lived experience, enterprise, and mentoring, we don’t just change mindsets — we change outcomes. He’s an inspiration for other young people who may be struggling.”