Opening doors is just the beginning: Belinda’s story

How a young carer’s experience shaped her commitment to helping young people discover career paths they may never have imagined.

Growing up with caring responsibilities, Belinda Waiswa Kyewalyanga understood how life circumstances can shape the choices available to you. With limited time and little awareness of the career pathways open to her, she had to find her own way into the world of work.

Today, working at The Brokerage, she helps young people navigate those same uncertainties — connecting them with the guidance, professional networks and opportunities that can change how they see their futures. As part of 30 Years. 30 Stories., Belinda reflects on how her own experiences have shaped her work, why access matters as much as ambition, and what becomes possible when someone opens a door.

"One of the things I love most about working at The Brokerage is meeting the incredible young people who come through our doors. Their ambition, determination and enthusiasm never fail to inspire me. Even after many years of working with young people, there's still something special about seeing a young person secure an opportunity that could change the direction of their future.

"Some of the conversations that stay with me most are with young people who feel trapped by their circumstances or believe there is no clear way forward. Those conversations really hit home for me. As someone who has been a carer and taken on significant responsibilities from a young age, I understand how life's circumstances can limit the choices you believe are available to you.

"Growing up, I didn't know how to access internships, and apprenticeships certainly weren't talked about in the same way they are today. My caring responsibilities also meant I didn't have the same free time as many other students, so even completing my compulsory work experience during Post-16 education was quite a balancing act!

"I was studying sciences for my A-levels (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) at the time, so my work experience placement had to be science-related. I was placed in a toxicology research centre and I quickly discovered that working in a laboratory wasn't for me! But what stayed with me were the conversations in the break room. Hearing about people's different roles and how they'd got there opened my eyes to opportunities I hadn't even known existed. I was fascinated by their experiences, even if I had no idea where my own curiosity would eventually lead me. I figured things out along the way, but having someone to guide me through the possibilities would have made such a difference.

"That's why this work means so much to me. Not every young person knows where they want to go, and that's absolutely fine. Being able to help them find their path or even draw a few different maps of what their future could look like, is something I feel genuinely blessed to do. In many ways, I'm now able to offer the guidance, encouragement, and access to opportunities that I wish I'd have had when I was younger.

Photo below shows Belinda leading a session to young people at Foresters Financial - valued partners:

"Through my role, I've seen first-hand that talent and ambition are certainly not in short supply. What often makes the difference is access to opportunities, professional networks, and the confidence to navigate unfamiliar environments. For me, it's never just about securing an internship or filling a place on a programme. It's about helping young people recognise their potential and discover careers they may never have imagined were within their reach.

"Some of my favourite moments are catching up with candidates at events, hearing about their experiences and seeing how far they've come. It's also wonderful to witness how a simple conversation with a volunteer, encouragement from a mentor or an employer willing to give someone their first opportunity can make such a difference. But what I find equally rewarding is seeing the positive impact our young people have on the businesses they join.

"I've seen employers recognise and appreciate the fresh perspectives, initiative, and ideas our candidates bring. Some have even identified opportunities for improvement and developed their own projects to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and introduce new ways of working."

"It's a wonderful reminder that these partnerships work both ways. Our young people aren't simply there to gain experience; they can make a real contribution to the businesses that welcome them."

"And none of this happens without our supporters!

"Our corporate partners, volunteers and funders play such a key role in opening doors, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities. In doing so, they also help businesses discover talented young people they might otherwise never have met.

"As we look ahead, I'm excited about the opportunities we'll continue to create together and the many more young people we'll support.

"Because opening doors is just the beginning. What really matters is what becomes possible once those doors are open.

"Thank you for being part of that journey and helping us make a genuine difference to young people's futures."

Belinda Waiswa Kyewalyanga - Senior Talent Manager at The Brokerage

To sum up:

Belinda’s experience of being a carer from a young age has shaped her understanding of the barriers that can influence a young person’s career journey. While studying sciences at A-level, she balanced her caring responsibilities with compulsory work experience, discovering through conversations with professionals that there were career paths beyond the ones she knew about. Without someone to guide her through those possibilities, she had to work them out for herself.

That experience now informs her work at The Brokerage. Belinda is passionate about helping young people recognise their potential, explore unfamiliar industries and access opportunities they might not otherwise encounter. She also sees the impact working with young talent can have on employers, from fresh perspectives to ideas that improve the way businesses operate. Her message is clear: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always equally accessible — and opening the door is only the first step.

“In many ways, I'm now able to offer the guidance, encouragement, and access to opportunities that I wish I'd have had when I was younger.”

— Belinda Waiswa Kyewalyanga, The Brokerage