Youth MP Sophie delivers powerful speech on mental health in Commons

A TEESSIDE Youth MP is fighting for improved mental health services for young people and has spoken about the issue in the House of Commons.

- By ANNETTE BELCHER

Redcar and Cleveland’s Member of Youth Parliament, Sophie Bloomfield has been working with local mental health and wellbeing services and has shared a vital report with her Downing Street colleagues.

After being elected to the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) last year, the 15-year-old successfully applied to become the North East representative for the UKYP Youth Select Committee as one of just 12 members - the first from the Tees Valley.

A keen dancer and musician, Sophie was just 14 when she recorded her video manifesto for the UKYP election back in December 2024 (Members of the UK Youth Parliament are elected for a two-year term of office).

She said: "I don’t think I realised how much the role meant to me until the day of the election results at Tuned In. I was so nervous for the election results to come in.

"I was delighted to be announced as the elected MYP and I’m grateful to have shared the campaigning process with Simrah Dhillon, who presented a brilliant manifesto and now holds the position as the Deputy MYP for the constituency.”

Recently, at the UKYP Annual Sitting, Sophie was chosen to speak by Mr Speaker - Sir Lyndsey Hoylein the debate on National Minimum Wage. She said: “During the debate, you have to stand up really quickly following the previous speaker, in order to have a chance of being called upon.