This Guardian article tells the story of Craig, who became homeless at 13 after running away from a children’s home in Nottingham. Over the following decades, he cycled through the care system, prison, drug use, and temporary periods of stability, but systemic failures—insufficient support, unsafe housing, and gaps in youth services—repeatedly undermined his chances. Despite moments of hope, including engagement with support programs and community projects, Craig ultimately died in 2025, just a mile from where he first slept on the streets. The article highlights the human consequences of policy and service shortcomings, offering a deeply personal lens on youth homelessness, care leaver outcomes, and social neglect.