Sophie Willan was born 1987 and is a British actress and comedian. She grew up in Bolton, and spent time in care as a child as her mother was a heroin addict. In 2016 she took her debut stand up show On Record, based on her experiences of growing up in and out of the care system, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A total sell out run and phenomenal critical acclaim followed, with a smash hit nationwide tour in 2017 and a commission to adapt the show into a BBC Radio 4 series. Sophie is a Care Leaver, who’s personal experiences are part of her life’s mission; to empower, represent and advocate for care experienced young people and marginalised children and adults. In 2015, Sophie founded non-profit organisation, Stories Of Care; a dynamic and rebellious writing and outreach organisation, that work exclusively with exceptional new writers, from diverse backgrounds. They offer long-term developmental support to their participants so that they can become creative leaders and make personal and political work that smashes through the glass ceilings across Theatre, Radio, Stand-Up, Television and Literature. As an Executive Producer on her BBC Two sitcom, Alma’s Not Normal, Sophie has also instigated a paid training programme for young people from low income and Care Experienced backgrounds on the production.