Once homeless, now stars of our glamorous shoot in aid of the Centrepoint helpline

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Matt Watts8 February 2017

They are the stars of a glamorous fashion shoot, but these four young people were all once homeless.

They, and three others helped by charity Centrepoint, feature in this week’s ES Magazine, as part of our Young and Homeless Helpline appeal, and talk about their experiences.

“There’s a stigma about people who are called homeless, as if they’re beneath society,” says photographer Anna McGrane, who left home at 18 after rows with her family.

“People don’t realise it could happen to anyone.”

Journalist: Sophia Kichou became homeless at 18 
Chris Floyd

Sophia Kichou, who launched a career in journalism and is a parliamentary assistant, says when she was 18 and living in a hostel: “I couldn’t imagine my own future.”

Personal trainer and athlete Alex Bonnick says it was hard to find himself in hostels at 17.

“But I always see beyond the obstacle. That’s the trick.”

Victoria Taiwo, who now has a clothes company, says: “Everybody has something to offer to the world.”

To give to the appeal, call 0300 330 2731, text HOME66 £5 to 70070 or click here.

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