Disabled man heartbroken after application to become a bin man is rejected twice – despite working for free

A young man who has dreamed of becoming a bin man since the age of two has been left heartbroken after his job application was rejected twice even though he had completed a nine-month internship for free.

Bryan Rowe, 21, aspires to be a bin man but has been left feeling like he is “not good enough” for his dream job after his local council turned him down.

Bryan, who has myotonic dystrophy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), worked as a waste management loader for nine months as part of his supported internship.

After completing the unpaid role, further roles came up and he was encouraged to apply, but he was left “brokenhearted” after being rejected twice.

Bryan’s mother, Claire Rowe, said this was his dream job and he has been obsessed with being a bin man from a very young age.

The 21-year-old from Sholing in Southampton, Hants, has continued to look for roles within Southampton City Council but is not looking at private opportunities to continue his work.

His initial placement lasted between November 2024 and June 2025 and he has been looking for jobs ever since.

Myotonic dystrophy is a form of muscular dystrophy which affects muscles and organs in the body, causing progressive muscle degeneration with weakness and shrinkage of muscle tissue.

Bryan said: “I felt very disappointed not to get the job after two interviews with the council I worked for, I told mum that I am not good enough to get anything not even a bin man job.

“One of the senior team always asked if I was enjoying being there, I would always say yes.

“I don’t know what to do as this is all I want to do but, I don’t want to sit around and do nothing."

Ms Rowe said: “He had been there for nearly nine months, and the council didn’t have a problem with him, and then all of a sudden he’s not good enough and can’t do the role.”

“He worked for free for nine months, he was always enthusiastic and on time.

“How are people meant to get enough experience?”

Ms Rowe said she issued a formal complaint with the council and was told that their recruitment services were under review.

She said that since leaving college last summer, her son has been trying to get a bin worker role with other local authorities and is also looking into private waste businesses – but has had no success.

She said: “Bryan was completely brokenhearted about it, but he went back with his head held high and finished his placement.

“If that’s not a kick in the teeth I don’t know what is.

“He is very downhearted, he said he doesn’t want to bother applying anymore because nobody wants him.

“While Bryan can do it, we want him to do it, because there might be a time where his myotonic dystrophy will pop up and stop him.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “Southampton City Council is committed to fair, inclusive and transparent recruitment processes.

“We are unable to comment on individual applications or personal circumstances, but recruitment decisions are made through formal interview processes which are reviewed to ensure they are fair and equitable, with appropriate involvement from HR.

“The council continues to keep its recruitment practices under review to ensure they are as inclusive and accessible as possible.”