From Strangers to Supporters: How One Act of Kindness Can Change Lives
Sometimes, the smallest act of kindness can set off a chain of events that changes more than one life.
But instead of asking for spare change, Decan Wallis approached Brandon with a request that stopped him in his tracks.
“I don’t suppose you have any labourer jobs going, mate? I’m desperate to work hard and get off the streets. I’ll do it for £60 a day.”
Brandon later shared that moment on LinkedIn, writing about how humbled he felt. Here was someone in the toughest of circumstances, asking not for handouts, but for the chance to work.
“I’ve never felt so humbled in my life,” Brandon wrote. “There are real, genuine people out there struggling who just want an opportunity.”
What Brandon didn’t expect was how far that post would travel — or how it would change both their lives.
💛 A Chance Connection
Scrolling through LinkedIn a day later, Matt Herbert, Business Development Manager at Construction Skills People, came across Brandon’s post. He immediately recognised an opportunity.
Matt knew that one of our upcoming Pre-Employment Construction Courses in Cambridge could give Decan exactly what he needed — a chance to earn his CSCS card, gain practical skills, and access real job opportunities.
So, Matt reached out to Brandon directly, offering our support. Together with Tim Aston, our Business Development Manager for Pre-Employment (pictured below with Decan), and Nadeer Hussain, our Employer Engagement Officer, they all worked quickly to get Decan a place on the course.
🏠 More Than a Course
On Wednesday 8th October, Decan arrived early at enrolment — the first to show up — with all his ID ready and a smile that said he was ready to turn things around.
That week, Decan threw himself into the Civil Engineering (Groundworks) Skills Bootcamp course, which is funded by the Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority, attending every session, eager to learn, and proving himself every step of the way. He completed the course with flying colours — earning his certificate and taking his first steps toward rebuilding his life.
🚜 Moving Forward
With his confidence renewed, Decan is preparing to attend his second week of training at our Plant Training Centre to earn his Forward Tipping Dumper (FTD) ticket — another key qualification that will open up even more opportunities in construction. Interviews are already lined up, and for the first time in a long while, he’s looking toward the future with hope.
But the story doesn’t end there.
In a wonderful twist of fate, Brandon — who had been unemployed when he first met Decan — has since been offered a position with RHI Industrial, working in Security, Civils, and Site Fencing and Groundworks. To recognise his kindness and the role he played in changing another person’s life, we also awarded Brandon a CITB Gift Voucher for our Temporary Works Supervisor course, helping him continue to grow his skills and progress even further in his construction career.
Two men who had never met before that rainy Sunday now find themselves both building new futures — a reminder that kindness has a way of coming full circle.
🤝 Building Futures, Together
What began as a simple post online became a powerful story of humanity, opportunity, and teamwork.
This story captures exactly what we strive for at Construction Skills People — helping people take that first step, whether they’re unemployed, seeking to upskill, or simply waiting for someone to give them a chance.
Because when people come together — from LinkedIn connections to training providers, from strangers to supporters — remarkable things can happen.
Everyone deserves a second chance. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to believe in you.
💬 With huge thanks to:
Brandon Cox • Decan Wallis • Matt Herbert • Tim Aston • Nadeer Hussain • The Welcoming Guesthouse, Cambridge • Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority
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