A hand up, not a handout

Sophia Alexandra Hall
Sophia Alexandra Hall
Sophia is deputy digital editor at The Big Issue. A proud care experienced journalist, she writes across social affairs and culture, and finds creative ways to bring the news to digital audiences. Sophia has appeared on Sky News as part of the morning paper review, and BBC Breakfast, speaking on the topic of foster care. She is the author of the Media Toolkit for Journalists and Care Experienced People, which was shortlisted at the Society of Editors' Awards in 2024 for digital innovation. In 2021 Sophia was named on the PPA 30 under 30 list, and in 2022 won ‘Exclusive of the Year’ at the NCTJ Excellence in Journalism Awards.
Reform councillor describing some children in care as ‘evil’ proves how broken the system really is
Sophia Alexandra Hall

Reform councillor describing some children in care as ‘evil’ proves how broken the system really is

Hundreds of care leavers were given free money, no strings attached. Here’s what happened
Basic income

Hundreds of care leavers were given free money, no strings attached. Here’s what happened

People are sharing their childhood dreams after TV’s Alice Roberts said she wanted to be a horse
Childhood dreams

People are sharing their childhood dreams after TV’s Alice Roberts said she wanted to be a horse

‘You don’t have to be a celebrity to make an impact’: Big Issue’s Covid heroes, five years on
Five years since the pandemic

‘You don’t have to be a celebrity to make an impact’: Big Issue’s Covid heroes, five years on

‘You’re not a priority if you don’t have money’: Student told to wait till 2043 for an autism assessment
Autism

‘You’re not a priority if you don’t have money’: Student told to wait till 2043 for an autism assessment

Rough sleeping in London won’t get better until 2026, says Sadiq Khan
Exclusive

Rough sleeping in London won’t get better until 2026, says Sadiq Khan

Help stop care leavers from falling into homelessness, Labour told: ‘People are suffering’
Care leavers

Help stop care leavers from falling into homelessness, Labour told: ‘People are suffering’

A day in the life of Crumble the Big Issue dog – from vital outreach work to lots of pets and love
Dogs of Big Issue

A day in the life of Crumble the Big Issue dog – from vital outreach work to lots of pets and love

Alma’s Not Normal star Sophie Willan: ‘Care experienced people have superpowers – we’re brilliant!’
TV

Alma’s Not Normal star Sophie Willan: ‘Care experienced people have superpowers – we’re brilliant!’

Social media helped the far-right mobilise quickly – but it can also bring the rest of us together
UK riots

Social media helped the far-right mobilise quickly – but it can also bring the rest of us together

Should care experience be a protected characteristic? Care leavers speak out on status debate
Children's social care

Should care experience be a protected characteristic? Care leavers speak out on status debate

‘It feels like performative empathy’: Why opt out emails for Father’s Day can make the grief worse
Father's day

‘It feels like performative empathy’: Why opt out emails for Father’s Day can make the grief worse