Pop star Nicola Roberts visited Walthamstow to talk to young people in care.

The Girls Aloud singer was at the Walthamstow Children’s Rights Service in Church Hill, in her role as a Barnardo’s ambassador.

Young people at the centre told Nicola about the problems they face making the transition from care to independence.

She spoke to some of them about their musical ambitions and promised to arrange a visit to a professional studio.

She said: “It's always nice to be able to meet the many strong young people who are making the most of themselves, despite having had a really tough start in life.”

According to Barnardo’s around 30 per cent of homeless people have been in care.

Barnardo’s believes all care leavers should be supported by personal advisors for longer to help improve what are currently comparatively low outcomes.

The charity is campaigning for the cut off age for such support to be raised from 21 to 25.

Waltham Forest Children’s Rights Service is a rights, participation and advocacy service for children and young people aged 7-24 in care and care leavers.