A disabled man who completed a nine-month unpaid internship with Southampton City Council has been rejected for his “dream job” as a binman for a third time.
Bryan Rowe, who lives with ADHD and myotonic dystrophy – which causes progressive muscle degeneration – was invited back for an interview after previous rejections sparked public outcry.
The 21-year-old was devastated after the council once again turned down his application, leaving him feeling “not good enough”.
Mr Rowe’s ambition to become a binman dates back to childhood.
He spent nine months as a lorry loader for the council between November 2024 and June 2025 as part of a supported internship, during which his mother, Claire Rowe, said he was “always enthusiastic and on time” and the council “didn’t have a problem with him”.
He was encouraged to apply for permanent roles upon completing his placement.
However, his initial applications were unsuccessful, leading to two rejections that left him “heartbroken”.
The council faced significant backlash over the decisions, which were widely described as “cruel and unfair”.
In response, Southampton City Council invited Mr Rowe for a third interview, claiming an “error” had caused some candidates to receive incorrect information regarding their applications.
Despite this apparent second chance, Mr Rowe’s hopes were “dashed” once more. Following the interview, he received a third rejection, which his mother described as a “cruel and unfair kick in the teeth”.
The repeated setbacks have left Mr Rowe “devastated” and questioning his own worth.
“I don’t feel that I am good enough, no one wants me,” he said.
Ms Rowe said: “It’s very very disappointing. He is devastated, it’s absolutely awful. I just cannot believe that this has happened again.”
She argued that if the council genuinely believed her son was not capable, they should have “let it drop” after the initial rejections.
“You were better off saying no and letting us be done with it, now they’ve kicked him back in the teeth again,” she said.
“I just think it’s cruel and unfair. He wants to get out there as a disabled person and work and get some confidence some money of his own.”
A spokesperson for Southampton City Council acknowledged the high volume of applications for the role but declined to comment on individual candidates.
They said: “All the applications and interviews have followed the council’s recruitment process. We wish all of the unsuccessful candidates well in their future endeavours.”
Ms Rowe said that she had lodged a formal complaint with the council, and was informed that their recruitment services were under review.
She said that since leaving college last summer, Bryan has been actively seeking bin worker roles with other local authorities and private waste businesses, but without success.
