After he was made redundant, 20-year old Martin refused benefits while he searched for work. He had GCSEs and NVQ qualifications, and worked as a car valet and a landscape gardener. He found it difficult to adjust to life without working and earning his own money. His stepfather says, “Martin was heartbroken by it, and heartbroken every time he walked past the gardens he used to tend and see them in disrepair. He took such pride in his work.” Despite applying for around 40 jobs in three months, he received almost no response, with rejections put down to employers choosing less-skilled and cheaper workers. Martin felt increasingly disillusioned about his future. 24 hours after a job centre meeting, he hanged himself.