Hey,

I’m writing because I want as many people as possible to see something that really matters.

17,000 children every year enter care as a direct result of maternal imprisonment.

On 16 January at 11pm, an incredible new film Lollipop aired on BBC Two, and is now available on BBC iPlayer. I can’t recommend it strongly enough – it’s powerful, raw, and genuinely thought-provoking.

The film follows Molly, a young woman released from prison as she fights to regain custody of her children. It’s written and directed by Daisy‑May Hudson and stars Posy Sterling - two extraordinarily talented women who also happen to be dear friends of mine.

Lollipop is an all-female cast, which is still shockingly rare. Even more importantly, many of the women involved bring lived experience to the screen. Watching this film doesn’t just raise awareness, it actively supports the women whose stories are being told.

As a small but determined team, we even went to UK Parliament with the Birth Companions Institute to push for reform of the social and care systems women face when re-entering society after prison. This includes calling for safe, suitable housing for women leaving prison, an end to the imprisonment of pregnant women and mothers of dependent children, and greater investment in community-based responses that keep families safely together. It also means prioritising mental health support, addressing the root causes of offending such as poverty, trauma, abuse and homelessness, improving coordinated care across health, housing and justice systems, and strengthening support for young women leaving care to break intergenerational cycles of harm.

All I’m asking is that you watch the film, sit with the fact that it’s rooted in truth, and take a moment to think about the issues it raises.

As a thank you, I’ve painted the film’s motif.. a lollipop, which anyone can win simply by entering below.

Please also take a moment to explore the “I Am Lollipop Too” campaign via this link, where Daisy-May and Posy are gathering lived experiences to shine a light on what women face when returning to their communities.

Thank you for taking the time to look.

All my love,

Sophie Tea xxx

PS if you want to watch the trailer for the film, get a template to write your MP a letter and find out some more info on this amazing cause, click here.