Sophia Alexandra Hall
@sophiassocials.bsky.social
👩💻 @bigissue.com deputy digital editor
📰 Social affairs, political & culture journalist
📘 Author of Media Toolkit for Journalists and Care Experienced People
📰 Social affairs, political & culture journalist
📘 Author of Media Toolkit for Journalists and Care Experienced People
Pinned
Hi, I’m Sophia Alexandra Hall and I’m deputy digital editor @bigissue.bsky.social. 👋
As a journalist, I’ve reported from protests at Parliament, to the press room of the White House.👩💻
I’m also proudly care experienced (someone who grew up in foster care). 💖
Excited to rebuild a community here. 🤝
As a journalist, I’ve reported from protests at Parliament, to the press room of the White House.👩💻
I’m also proudly care experienced (someone who grew up in foster care). 💖
Excited to rebuild a community here. 🤝
NEW: On the day the US Government Shutdown becomes the longest in history, representation breaks new ground across America.
🚨 Zohran Mamdani has been elected as NYC’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor.
🚨 Ghazala Hashmi becomes the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office in the US.
🚨 Zohran Mamdani has been elected as NYC’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor.
🚨 Ghazala Hashmi becomes the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office in the US.
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
NEW: On the day the US Government Shutdown becomes the longest in history, representation breaks new ground across America.
🚨 Zohran Mamdani has been elected as NYC’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor.
🚨 Ghazala Hashmi becomes the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office in the US.
🚨 Zohran Mamdani has been elected as NYC’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor.
🚨 Ghazala Hashmi becomes the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office in the US.
This TEDx Talk questions how journalists report on underrepresented communities in the UK media.
🔎 Is our reporting designed to inform… or inflame? 🔥
Let’s take a look at last summer’s anti-immigration riots…
Watch the full talk: youtu.be/fJy__NhRqJA
🔎 Is our reporting designed to inform… or inflame? 🔥
Let’s take a look at last summer’s anti-immigration riots…
Watch the full talk: youtu.be/fJy__NhRqJA
November 2, 2025 at 10:40 AM
This TEDx Talk questions how journalists report on underrepresented communities in the UK media.
🔎 Is our reporting designed to inform… or inflame? 🔥
Let’s take a look at last summer’s anti-immigration riots…
Watch the full talk: youtu.be/fJy__NhRqJA
🔎 Is our reporting designed to inform… or inflame? 🔥
Let’s take a look at last summer’s anti-immigration riots…
Watch the full talk: youtu.be/fJy__NhRqJA
My full TEDx Talk ‘What makes a life newsworthy?’ is now live.
It draws on both my experience as a journalist working at @bigissue.com and my life as a care-experienced person who has been interviewed in the media.
Watch in full on YouTube now 🎥: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJy_...
It draws on both my experience as a journalist working at @bigissue.com and my life as a care-experienced person who has been interviewed in the media.
Watch in full on YouTube now 🎥: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJy_...
What makes a life newsworthy? | Sophia Alexandra Hall | TEDxSt Albans
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
My full TEDx Talk ‘What makes a life newsworthy?’ is now live.
It draws on both my experience as a journalist working at @bigissue.com and my life as a care-experienced person who has been interviewed in the media.
Watch in full on YouTube now 🎥: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJy_...
It draws on both my experience as a journalist working at @bigissue.com and my life as a care-experienced person who has been interviewed in the media.
Watch in full on YouTube now 🎥: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJy_...
My full TEDx Talk ‘What makes a life newsworthy?’ is now live.
An honour to share insights from my work as a journalist and my own lived experience at TEDx St Albans earlier this month.
🎥: tinyurl.com/tedxsophia
An honour to share insights from my work as a journalist and my own lived experience at TEDx St Albans earlier this month.
🎥: tinyurl.com/tedxsophia
October 28, 2025 at 8:27 PM
My full TEDx Talk ‘What makes a life newsworthy?’ is now live.
An honour to share insights from my work as a journalist and my own lived experience at TEDx St Albans earlier this month.
🎥: tinyurl.com/tedxsophia
An honour to share insights from my work as a journalist and my own lived experience at TEDx St Albans earlier this month.
🎥: tinyurl.com/tedxsophia
Reposted by Sophia Alexandra Hall
We need your help finding the UK’s top 100 Changemakers! Nominations are now open for you to celebrate the people and organisations making a positive difference in your community.
Do you have a local hero? Or know an empowering organisation? Nominate them here: www.bigissue.com/news/activis...
Do you have a local hero? Or know an empowering organisation? Nominate them here: www.bigissue.com/news/activis...
October 27, 2025 at 2:57 PM
We need your help finding the UK’s top 100 Changemakers! Nominations are now open for you to celebrate the people and organisations making a positive difference in your community.
Do you have a local hero? Or know an empowering organisation? Nominate them here: www.bigissue.com/news/activis...
Do you have a local hero? Or know an empowering organisation? Nominate them here: www.bigissue.com/news/activis...
💍 My out of office says I’m not accepting pitches, but of course I said yes to Andrew’s.
Can’t wait to manage the thrills of my SEO transition from Hall -> Watkins 💻
Can’t wait to manage the thrills of my SEO transition from Hall -> Watkins 💻
September 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
💍 My out of office says I’m not accepting pitches, but of course I said yes to Andrew’s.
Can’t wait to manage the thrills of my SEO transition from Hall -> Watkins 💻
Can’t wait to manage the thrills of my SEO transition from Hall -> Watkins 💻
Do any of my followers live in Yorkshire and have seen or been impacted by the smoke from the Langdale Moor fire?
Drop me a comment if you have, or if you’ve been impacted by a recent UK wildfire local to you. ⬇️ 💬
Drop me a comment if you have, or if you’ve been impacted by a recent UK wildfire local to you. ⬇️ 💬
August 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Do any of my followers live in Yorkshire and have seen or been impacted by the smoke from the Langdale Moor fire?
Drop me a comment if you have, or if you’ve been impacted by a recent UK wildfire local to you. ⬇️ 💬
Drop me a comment if you have, or if you’ve been impacted by a recent UK wildfire local to you. ⬇️ 💬
I had the pleasure of interviewing Miriam Margolyes earlier this week for @bigissue.com. 🎤
The full interview will be out soon, but due to the latest news on Palestine today, I thought I’d share this clip early. 👇
Miriam Margolyes: “I feel it particularly because I’m Jewish”. 💬
The full interview will be out soon, but due to the latest news on Palestine today, I thought I’d share this clip early. 👇
Miriam Margolyes: “I feel it particularly because I’m Jewish”. 💬
July 25, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I had the pleasure of interviewing Miriam Margolyes earlier this week for @bigissue.com. 🎤
The full interview will be out soon, but due to the latest news on Palestine today, I thought I’d share this clip early. 👇
Miriam Margolyes: “I feel it particularly because I’m Jewish”. 💬
The full interview will be out soon, but due to the latest news on Palestine today, I thought I’d share this clip early. 👇
Miriam Margolyes: “I feel it particularly because I’m Jewish”. 💬
Reposted by Sophia Alexandra Hall
'Children in care shouldn't be a route to profit': Baroness Lola Young on privatisation of children's homes
www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
Baroness Lola Young: ‘Children in care shouldn’t be a route to profit'
Baroness Lola Young speaks out against the privatisation of children's care homes, continuing the commodification of vulnerable children.
www.bigissue.com
July 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
'Children in care shouldn't be a route to profit': Baroness Lola Young on privatisation of children's homes
www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
I spoke to Zelda Perkins who has been leading the fight to get NDAs that silence workplace harassment or discrimination banned in the UK.
Yesterday was a huge step towards that goal. Read my interview below. 👇
www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
Yesterday was a huge step towards that goal. Read my interview below. 👇
www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
Zelda Perkins, Harvey Weinstein's ex-assistant, applauds UK's proposed NDA ban
NDAs used to gag victims of abuse are set to be banned in the UK. Zelda Perkins explains why this is a global turning point.
www.bigissue.com
July 9, 2025 at 7:41 AM
I spoke to Zelda Perkins who has been leading the fight to get NDAs that silence workplace harassment or discrimination banned in the UK.
Yesterday was a huge step towards that goal. Read my interview below. 👇
www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
Yesterday was a huge step towards that goal. Read my interview below. 👇
www.bigissue.com/news/employm...
It's my day off. I'm on my way to Glasgow. But that didn't stop me from writing a reactionary op-ed for @bigissue.com this morning after a Reform councillor referred to some children in care as “not just naughty children... but downright evil.”
Read my take below. ⬇️
www.bigissue.com/opinion/refo...
Read my take below. ⬇️
www.bigissue.com/opinion/refo...
A Reform councillor calling children in care 'evil' is missing the point
When a Reform councillor brands children in care as “evil”, it says more about political ignorance than the kids themselves. Here’s why.
www.bigissue.com
June 5, 2025 at 12:34 PM
It's my day off. I'm on my way to Glasgow. But that didn't stop me from writing a reactionary op-ed for @bigissue.com this morning after a Reform councillor referred to some children in care as “not just naughty children... but downright evil.”
Read my take below. ⬇️
www.bigissue.com/opinion/refo...
Read my take below. ⬇️
www.bigissue.com/opinion/refo...
Coming back onto Bluesky to announce… I’m going to be a TEDx speaker!
My talk at TEDx St Albans is on ‘The Life Behind the Headline’.
It’s about how we as news consumers can read more critically, uplift underrepresented voices, and make sense of sensationalist journalism.
15 October here we come!
My talk at TEDx St Albans is on ‘The Life Behind the Headline’.
It’s about how we as news consumers can read more critically, uplift underrepresented voices, and make sense of sensationalist journalism.
15 October here we come!
May 24, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Coming back onto Bluesky to announce… I’m going to be a TEDx speaker!
My talk at TEDx St Albans is on ‘The Life Behind the Headline’.
It’s about how we as news consumers can read more critically, uplift underrepresented voices, and make sense of sensationalist journalism.
15 October here we come!
My talk at TEDx St Albans is on ‘The Life Behind the Headline’.
It’s about how we as news consumers can read more critically, uplift underrepresented voices, and make sense of sensationalist journalism.
15 October here we come!
🗣️ Investigation call-out
I’m looking for people (most likely care experienced, adopted, estranged or bereaved) who have had issues with accessing healthcare due to lack of family medical history.
My @bigissue.com investigation looks to expose the potentially life-altering consequences of this. 👇
I’m looking for people (most likely care experienced, adopted, estranged or bereaved) who have had issues with accessing healthcare due to lack of family medical history.
My @bigissue.com investigation looks to expose the potentially life-altering consequences of this. 👇
April 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🗣️ Investigation call-out
I’m looking for people (most likely care experienced, adopted, estranged or bereaved) who have had issues with accessing healthcare due to lack of family medical history.
My @bigissue.com investigation looks to expose the potentially life-altering consequences of this. 👇
I’m looking for people (most likely care experienced, adopted, estranged or bereaved) who have had issues with accessing healthcare due to lack of family medical history.
My @bigissue.com investigation looks to expose the potentially life-altering consequences of this. 👇
Reposted by Sophia Alexandra Hall
💜 @sophiassocials.bsky.social went into foster care as a teenager. Today as Deputy Digital Editor at Big Issue she’s working to change the narrative
💜 This #InternationalWomensDay we’re amplifying the voices of women at Big Issue
Support our mission to end poverty, become a member bit.ly/3QCPf6p
💜 This #InternationalWomensDay we’re amplifying the voices of women at Big Issue
Support our mission to end poverty, become a member bit.ly/3QCPf6p
March 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
💜 @sophiassocials.bsky.social went into foster care as a teenager. Today as Deputy Digital Editor at Big Issue she’s working to change the narrative
💜 This #InternationalWomensDay we’re amplifying the voices of women at Big Issue
Support our mission to end poverty, become a member bit.ly/3QCPf6p
💜 This #InternationalWomensDay we’re amplifying the voices of women at Big Issue
Support our mission to end poverty, become a member bit.ly/3QCPf6p
Ezra Collective winning the Brit Award for British Group feels like such a huge win for not only a brilliant band, but grassroots youth music programmes too. 💥🎺
Ife Ogunjobi told @bigissue.com last year he “Wouldn’t be where I am today” without them.
Big up Tomorrow's Warriors. 🙌⬇️
bit.ly/41nzZPL
Ife Ogunjobi told @bigissue.com last year he “Wouldn’t be where I am today” without them.
Big up Tomorrow's Warriors. 🙌⬇️
bit.ly/41nzZPL
Ezra Collective star Ife Ogunjobi: 'I wouldn't be where I am without youth centres'
Award-winning band Ezra Collective met on a youth programme. Such all-important spaces are disappearing, as cash-strapped councils struggle.
www.bigissue.com
March 2, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Ezra Collective winning the Brit Award for British Group feels like such a huge win for not only a brilliant band, but grassroots youth music programmes too. 💥🎺
Ife Ogunjobi told @bigissue.com last year he “Wouldn’t be where I am today” without them.
Big up Tomorrow's Warriors. 🙌⬇️
bit.ly/41nzZPL
Ife Ogunjobi told @bigissue.com last year he “Wouldn’t be where I am today” without them.
Big up Tomorrow's Warriors. 🙌⬇️
bit.ly/41nzZPL
This morning Big Issue published my piece on Chloe’s struggle to secure an autism assessment.
🚨Just a few hours after publication, Chloe was directly contacted by Psychiatry UK who apologised and offered to schedule a new assessment.🚨
Journalism creates change. 🙌
www.bigissue.com/life/health/...
🚨Just a few hours after publication, Chloe was directly contacted by Psychiatry UK who apologised and offered to schedule a new assessment.🚨
Journalism creates change. 🙌
www.bigissue.com/life/health/...
This student was told she'd have to wait until 2043 for an autism assessment
Experts say that getting an autism diagnosis can be 'life-changing'. But what if you had to wait nearly two decades for that diagnosis?
www.bigissue.com
February 27, 2025 at 11:47 AM
This morning Big Issue published my piece on Chloe’s struggle to secure an autism assessment.
🚨Just a few hours after publication, Chloe was directly contacted by Psychiatry UK who apologised and offered to schedule a new assessment.🚨
Journalism creates change. 🙌
www.bigissue.com/life/health/...
🚨Just a few hours after publication, Chloe was directly contacted by Psychiatry UK who apologised and offered to schedule a new assessment.🚨
Journalism creates change. 🙌
www.bigissue.com/life/health/...
🚨 Student told to wait 18 YEARS for NHS autism assessment
A University of Oxford student has been told they won’t get an autism diagnosis until 2043 due to severe backlogs. Thousands across the UK face similar waits, with experts warning the delays are denying people vital support.
bit.ly/41zH0yy
A University of Oxford student has been told they won’t get an autism diagnosis until 2043 due to severe backlogs. Thousands across the UK face similar waits, with experts warning the delays are denying people vital support.
bit.ly/41zH0yy
This student was told she'd have to wait until 2043 for an autism assessment
Experts say that getting an autism diagnosis can be 'life-changing'. But what if you had to wait nearly two decades for that diagnosis?
bit.ly
February 27, 2025 at 7:56 AM
🚨 Student told to wait 18 YEARS for NHS autism assessment
A University of Oxford student has been told they won’t get an autism diagnosis until 2043 due to severe backlogs. Thousands across the UK face similar waits, with experts warning the delays are denying people vital support.
bit.ly/41zH0yy
A University of Oxford student has been told they won’t get an autism diagnosis until 2043 due to severe backlogs. Thousands across the UK face similar waits, with experts warning the delays are denying people vital support.
bit.ly/41zH0yy
Reposted by Sophia Alexandra Hall
🚨 “The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report made 58 recommendations of which 37 were directed at the government. The government accepts the findings of the report and will take forward ALL of the recommendations.”
🎥 Angela Rayner says “I am very sorry” to Grenfell Tower survivors and bereaved families.
🎥 Angela Rayner says “I am very sorry” to Grenfell Tower survivors and bereaved families.
February 26, 2025 at 1:02 PM
🚨 “The Grenfell Tower Inquiry report made 58 recommendations of which 37 were directed at the government. The government accepts the findings of the report and will take forward ALL of the recommendations.”
🎥 Angela Rayner says “I am very sorry” to Grenfell Tower survivors and bereaved families.
🎥 Angela Rayner says “I am very sorry” to Grenfell Tower survivors and bereaved families.
I’ve seen a couple of companies start to advertise a ‘Self Defence Class for Women’ to ‘celebrate’ International Women’s Day next week. 🥊
With today’s high levels of gender-based violence, free self defence classes are a great idea… but why are they scheduled for IWD? What message does that send? 🤔
With today’s high levels of gender-based violence, free self defence classes are a great idea… but why are they scheduled for IWD? What message does that send? 🤔
February 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I’ve seen a couple of companies start to advertise a ‘Self Defence Class for Women’ to ‘celebrate’ International Women’s Day next week. 🥊
With today’s high levels of gender-based violence, free self defence classes are a great idea… but why are they scheduled for IWD? What message does that send? 🤔
With today’s high levels of gender-based violence, free self defence classes are a great idea… but why are they scheduled for IWD? What message does that send? 🤔
As news breaks about Luis Rubiales being found guilty of kissing Jenni Hermoso without consent @ World Cup, I'm taken aback by the amount of publishers using a picture of the kiss in their articles.
If this were any other legal case, would news outlets be using a picture of an assault taking place?
If this were any other legal case, would news outlets be using a picture of an assault taking place?
February 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
As news breaks about Luis Rubiales being found guilty of kissing Jenni Hermoso without consent @ World Cup, I'm taken aback by the amount of publishers using a picture of the kiss in their articles.
If this were any other legal case, would news outlets be using a picture of an assault taking place?
If this were any other legal case, would news outlets be using a picture of an assault taking place?
On Wednesday, Sadiq Khan told me rough sleeping in London will get worse in 2025 before we see an improvement in 2026.
New CHAIN stats published today reveal he’s right. In Oct-Dec 24 we saw a 5% increase in the no. of people rough sleeping, and a 26% annual rise of people on the streets long-term.
New CHAIN stats published today reveal he’s right. In Oct-Dec 24 we saw a 5% increase in the no. of people rough sleeping, and a 26% annual rise of people on the streets long-term.
The Mayor of @london.gov.uk told the Big Issue he expects street homelessness in the capital to get worse before it gets better but committed to the ‘biggest single investment’ in tackling rough sleeping. 💷
🎥: @sophiassocials.bsky.social
📰: @lgeraghty23.bsky.social
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
🎥: @sophiassocials.bsky.social
📰: @lgeraghty23.bsky.social
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
January 31, 2025 at 10:36 AM
On Wednesday, Sadiq Khan told me rough sleeping in London will get worse in 2025 before we see an improvement in 2026.
New CHAIN stats published today reveal he’s right. In Oct-Dec 24 we saw a 5% increase in the no. of people rough sleeping, and a 26% annual rise of people on the streets long-term.
New CHAIN stats published today reveal he’s right. In Oct-Dec 24 we saw a 5% increase in the no. of people rough sleeping, and a 26% annual rise of people on the streets long-term.
Reposted by Sophia Alexandra Hall
The Mayor of @london.gov.uk told the Big Issue he expects street homelessness in the capital to get worse before it gets better but committed to the ‘biggest single investment’ in tackling rough sleeping. 💷
🎥: @sophiassocials.bsky.social
📰: @lgeraghty23.bsky.social
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
🎥: @sophiassocials.bsky.social
📰: @lgeraghty23.bsky.social
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
January 30, 2025 at 10:26 AM
The Mayor of @london.gov.uk told the Big Issue he expects street homelessness in the capital to get worse before it gets better but committed to the ‘biggest single investment’ in tackling rough sleeping. 💷
🎥: @sophiassocials.bsky.social
📰: @lgeraghty23.bsky.social
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
🎥: @sophiassocials.bsky.social
📰: @lgeraghty23.bsky.social
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
Reposted by Sophia Alexandra Hall
When America sneezes, the world catches a cold, the saying goes. 🤧
So how sick is Donald Trump going to make us? 🇺🇸🇬🇧
As Donald Trump is sworn in as US President, here’s everything you need to know about how his actions and decisions could impact the UK. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
So how sick is Donald Trump going to make us? 🇺🇸🇬🇧
As Donald Trump is sworn in as US President, here’s everything you need to know about how his actions and decisions could impact the UK. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
January 20, 2025 at 5:24 PM
When America sneezes, the world catches a cold, the saying goes. 🤧
So how sick is Donald Trump going to make us? 🇺🇸🇬🇧
As Donald Trump is sworn in as US President, here’s everything you need to know about how his actions and decisions could impact the UK. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
So how sick is Donald Trump going to make us? 🇺🇸🇬🇧
As Donald Trump is sworn in as US President, here’s everything you need to know about how his actions and decisions could impact the UK. 🇺🇸🇬🇧
www.bigissue.com/news/politic...
Feeling very lucky to have kicked off Christmas with my longest ever Sky News appearance this morning. 📺
I did three hits (totalling half an hour) and it was particularly special as just 6 hours earlier, I was volunteering with Crisis at Christmas. V glad I was able to mention their work on air.👇
I did three hits (totalling half an hour) and it was particularly special as just 6 hours earlier, I was volunteering with Crisis at Christmas. V glad I was able to mention their work on air.👇
December 23, 2024 at 12:40 PM
Feeling very lucky to have kicked off Christmas with my longest ever Sky News appearance this morning. 📺
I did three hits (totalling half an hour) and it was particularly special as just 6 hours earlier, I was volunteering with Crisis at Christmas. V glad I was able to mention their work on air.👇
I did three hits (totalling half an hour) and it was particularly special as just 6 hours earlier, I was volunteering with Crisis at Christmas. V glad I was able to mention their work on air.👇
Join me on Sky News this morning for two more paper reviews at 7:45am & 8:45am 📺
December 23, 2024 at 7:23 AM
Join me on Sky News this morning for two more paper reviews at 7:45am & 8:45am 📺