Throughout 14 years in the care system, 20-year-old Jahz kept two items with him at all times: his collection of teddy bears and a shirt his uncle gave him before he died.

Jahz, who came to youth homelessness charity Centrepoint just after his 18th birthday after being in and out of the care system from the age of four, explained that these objects had been a consistent comfort to him while moving around throughout his childhood.

“I started my teddy collection when I was three years old, I still have a lot of these teddies to this day, including Simba, a lion teddy,” Jahz, from west London, told the Big Issue. “I’ve had them with me for so long and I don’t think I could give them away now. They hold so many memories, supporting me through tough times.”

Jahz chose the objects that got

See Full Page