Dez’s Story
Dez arrived at Future Roots after becoming homeless, following a breakdown in his family relationships. With support from hyh, he rebuilt his confidence, found work, developed key life skills, and began sharing his story to inspire others. His journey was one of resilience, growth, and hope for the future.
About Dez
When Dez moved into Future Roots, he had just turned 18. After a difficult relationship breakdown with his dad left him homeless, Dez faced a lot of uncertainty.
At the time, Dez worked as a lifeguard, but not long after settling in, he lost his job. It was a tough moment, but he didn’t give up. He quickly found part-time work at a local pub, where he continued to do well.
Living independently
Living on a low income and managing money had its challenges, and Dez had been open about finding budgeting difficult. Much of the support he received focused on building these skills, helping him feel more confident and ready for independent living. Dez learnt to be open to exploring different ways to save, such as learning about budgeting using spreadsheets and trying new recipes to build up his confidence in cooking from home rather than buying expensive takeaway food.
Dez has also spent time learning how to care for a home, by being supported to deep clean areas he is responsible for.
Dez is particularly passionate about debating and spent a lot of time practicing this skill! He was given the opportunity to learn about different ways to present his case, to improve his communication skills for the future.
Getting involved
Dez had also shown a real passion for giving back. He wanted others to know they weren’t alone and bravely shared his story to help raise awareness and support for hyh. In November 2024, Dez attended a conference with one of hyh’s corporate partners, where he stood on stage to talk about his experience. He spoke from the heart, and his words left a lasting impression. Afterwards, people came up to thank him, share kind words, and even offer job opportunities. Dez said it had been one of the best experiences of his life.
He also helped secure future support for others by speaking at a funding bid meeting, representing hyh with warmth and conviction. Hearing directly from young people like Dez had a powerful impact, helping others understand just how vital services like Future Roots are.
Looking ahead
Dez has moved on from working at the pub, where his hours were inconsistent, onto a full-time role as a technician. He has adapted really well to working full time hours and is excited about learning a new skill.
He also prioritised looking for accommodation when his time at Future Roots started coming to an end. He communicated with a range of people and gained confidence in speaking to landlords during his search for his next home.
Dez’s story was not just about overcoming hardship, it was about discovering strength, forming new connections, and realising his own potential.