Meet the team

Sophie Mei Lan

Multimedia Journalist, Media Consultant and Mental Health & Wellbeing content creator Sophie Mei Lan is on a mission to ensure all voices are heard in the media.

She writes, makes videos and, creates content, specialising in social affairs issues such as health, northern communities, women, disability and the third sector.

Sophie also delivers community media, content creation, and digital skills workshops for organisations and individuals.

 

She has worked locally and nationally for a range of clients, publications and media outlets as well as running her own online platforms with a combined following of 100k, having reached more than two billion people. 

Coming soon

Victoria Reddington

Danny Malin

Charlotte Armitage

Diane Hall

Frances Dixon

Awards

Creating commercially compelling content from the heart of communities

Sophie’s mainstream media work includes making documentaries for Channel 4 News, ITV News and on behalf of the third sector and philanthropic organisations. She has also worked in the press nationally and locally.

Sophie started her career creating community magazine and she has continued building own online platforms: Blogs, vlogs, a podcast, and community magazines. She founded online communities; Women’s World of Wellbeing group and a Sparkle Content Creators collaborative of 700 influencers.

One of Sophie’s mental health vlogs reached two billion people alone. This inspired Sophie to return to her roots in community journalism, to combine those values with the new power digital platforms offer.

Sophie runs Content up North (Community Media CIC) alongside her freelance work as a columnist, content creator, speaker, and trainer. She is a passionate mental health, wellbeing, and inclusivity advocate which is demonstrated through her holistic approach to communications.

Sophie was inspired as ‘an expert by lived experience’ to gain professional experience

  • Writing: Sophie has written regular columns for Metro.co.uk, Huffington Post and has guest-edited a range of national and regional magazines. She is also a published author with her first book on eating disorder recovery.

  • Digital, PR, and Media Training: Sophie has trained a range of charities, entrepreneurs, and on behalf of organisations such as Post Office, Google Digital Garage, and Icelolly Holidays.

  • TV & Video: Sophie has reported, presented, and created a range of documentaries for local and national news as well as corporate documentaries. She co-founded Evoke Media Group, an all-female video production company, and creates regular content for Yorkshire Post. Sophie has also been a roving reporter for Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

  • Radio & Podcast: Sophie has worked with BBC Local Radio as a broadcast assistant. Sophie has also featured on BBC Radio One talking about diverse families and BBC Radio 5 Live on a range of mental health topics. She has contributed to BBC Radio 4’s The Listening Project with her autistic brother and was interviewed on One to One about growing up with gay parents. She has founded her own podcasts as well as creating ones for clients.

  • Print and online: Sophie has worked for a range of grassroots newspapers locally and regionally as well as writing for The I Newspaper and Daily Mirror online.

  • Presenting & Public Speaking: Sophie is a trained public speaker specialising in mental health, diversity, entrepreneurship, journalism, and influencer marketing.

  • Lecturing & Workshop Facilitation: Sophie has led lectures for Sheffield Hallam University, University of Sheffield, University of Leeds, and Leeds Trinity on mental health, media, and running a media business. She regularly leads community media workshops as well as digital and wellbeing workshops.

Sophie as a Social Entrepreneur

Sophie is executive director of Community Media CIC – the umbrella company behind Sparkle Communications, Impact Magazine, Podcast and TV, Yorkshire Families Magazine, Sparkle Content Creators Collaborative and Community Journalist projects and Content Creators Clubs.

Sophie works closely with philanthropic organisations, nonprofits and marginalised communities through the CIC.

Sophie as a Communications Trainer & Journalist

Sophie has founded her own publications as well as working for a range of mainstream and independent channels.

She has delivered a range of digital and media workshops online and in-person such as being a keynote speaker at Go Digital Live at Leeds Elland Road Stadium and at Amnesty International Media Conference.

Media Experience

  • TV, Vlogs & Film: Sophie has appeared regularly on local and national TV as an expert on social affairs issues as well as reporting for national news. She has also worked as an actress for film, national TV adverts, and corporate videos.  Sophie grew her own popular youtube channel reaching more than two billion people with one vlog alone and acquiring tens of thousands of subscribers.  Sophie now creates documentaries for media, branded content films as well as works with businesses and communities to create films, vlogs, and TV-style content. In Lockdown, she trained extensively with Channel 4, BBC Talentworks, and YouTube.

  • Radio & Podcast: Sophie has worked as a reporter on BBC Local Radio as well as starting her own Podcasts and making a documentary for Bauer Media which was shortlisted for an IRN Commercial Radio Award. She creates and presents Podcasts for a range of organisations and hires out professional audio equipment. Sophie trains a range of people on how to present on-air and how to share their story on audio.

  • Print: From starting her own blog, magazines, and community content, Sophie has since qualified with the National Council for the Training of Journalists as a Journalist. She has worked for the press locally and nationally as well as writing blogs and content for clients.

  • Digital Skills, Social Media and Communications Training: Sophie has delivered workshops and training on PR, digital entrepreneurship, social media, and influencer marketing. She also runs a range of popular online communities.

  • Presenting & Public Speaking: As a trained presenter and public speaking coach, Sophie has trained private clients, businesses, and governmental bodies on presentation skills online and in person.

Clients

Sophie as a Creative Practitioner

Sophie combines her experience as a presenter, actor, dancer, and broadcast journalist to deliver dynamic training.  From delivering lectures and workshops to presenting online and leading sessions.

Sophie has worked with a range of businesses, community groups, universities, and people with additional needs.

As a creative, Sophie has simultaneously run film-making projects alongside writing for wellbeing groups and vlogging.

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