Duncan was 19 when he found his way to TINOCA, Youth Futures’ emergency accommodation program. Before that, he had been couch-surfing between friends’ homes, carrying the weight of a turbulent childhood marked by his mother’s absence, his stepfather’s rejection, and his father’s struggles with drug addiction. Even his uncle’s harsh criticism had compounded his pain. Though school had been manageable, stable housing felt impossible to find, and the anxiety and depression he’d lived with since childhood made it hard to stay focused.
When a friend asked Duncan to leave, he reached out to Youth Futures in desperation. From the moment he arrived at TINOCA, the team embraced him with comprehensive support, helping him clarify his future goals while enabling him to maintain his part-time job. The independence this provided was transformative.
At TINOCA, Duncan gained practical life skills in cooking and budgeting, and the encouragement from staff built his confidence to live independently. Now, he’s excited about securing his own place and beginning this new chapter. While reconnecting with his parents isn’t on the horizon, Duncan holds hope for a future relationship with his mum.
