Who Trolled Amber? - Introducing...Careless

Episode Date: September 16, 2026

Nkechi Simms is a successful actor who’s had parts in Top Boy and the BBC comedy PRU. Outwardly life is good and she’s got everything going for her, but this hasn’t always been the case. When she was 12 Nkechi’s mother handed her over to Camden Council and she was placed in foster care. Now Nkechi wants to find out what happened to her and why. The only way she can do this is by getting hold of her care records. But that’s easier said than done. And will those records answer her questions? Reported by Ashley John-Baptiste and Madeleine ParrProduced and written by Madeleine ParrSound design by Simon Panayi Artwork by Jon Hill The editor is Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think back, if you can, to your very earliest memory. You might be able to picture where you were, what you were like, who was around you at the time. Try and hold that memory for a moment. Do you actually remember it? Or could it be something your mum or dad told you about? Many people who grew up in care probably won't have that memory. There are no consistent witnesses to their childhood. It was really fun being cheeky and crazy, but growing up in Camden was difficult because I also found myself in a lot of trouble.

Nakeji Sims went into foster care aged 12. There was a black taxi called and me and my social worker got in the cab and my mum handed over a Sainsbury's bag for life. She's 27 now and a successful actor who is in one of the UK's most popular TV shows. I was cast in Tollboy, so it all worked out for the better, really. But for all of Nakechi's success, for the last six years, there has been a humming sound, whirring away in the back of her mind, questions about her past. What happened to her and why? Good morning, this is a contact.

Camden, how can I help you today? Hi, R, basically, I'm just trying to find somebody I can speak to. about trying to retrieve all of my records. Records which hold the answers to her questions. Someone's going to sit in that office and read through every crappy personal detail of my life. Decide what I get to see and I'm just supposed to wait. She needs to go bananas with the people at the other end.

She needs to be playing holy hell. You've walked me through a horror story. It's a horror story that so many children who are taken into kids. cared by the state experience. There's a tick box here that says parent or carer loves the child unconditionally, i.e. without strings attached. And is it always better to know the truth? It's just heartbreaking. I don't really know the word for it. I feel heartbroken for myself.

I feel heartbroken for like my family. I'm Ashley John Baptiste. From The Observer and Tortus Investigates, This is Careless. the story about memory, a faceless parent, and what we're entitled to know about ourselves. They knew I was being exploited. If people knew, then they should have done something. Careless is released on Tuesday the 22nd of September. To get early and add free access to episodes when the series launches, you can subscribe today wherever you're listening.

You can also subscribe directly on our website at observer.com.uk forward slash subscribe and use the code Audio 50 for 50% off.