MEET THE TEAM: 5 mins with Sofia

Tell me about yourself and how you found yourself part of Neighbourhood

I am a third year university student living in Wellington studying Law and Arts at Victoria. Originally from Dunedin but absolutely loving living in the capital! I joined Neighbourhood when I saw some of the talk around the Coming Home campaign as sexual violence and the many consequences of that is something I am hugely passionate about.

Describe yourself in three words

If I were to describe myself in 3 words it would be loud, funny (I think, I hope!!!) and caring

Do you have any significant goals or projects for 2021?

My 2021 goals are to honestly just to do my best, whether that be at uni, work and with my friendships! I am also training for a half marathon which I was meant to run in July but unfortunately it got postponed due to COVID, and is now meant to be in about 3 weeks (so not looking to great, please keep your fingers crossed for me).

What is a cause/movement you feel passionately about?

Things I feel passionately about would be like what I said before, sexual violence and the consequences of this, but also mental health as a wider issue. I work with heaps of first year students and the issues are so rampant its honestly heartbreaking. On a lighter note, also passionate about chocolate in all its forms lol.

Who or what has influenced you the most?

Something that has influenced me the most would be the book ‘Know My Name’ by Chanel Miller - honestly life changing!! Also the people I surround myself with - all absolute troopers.

If someone I love is down, I cheer them up by…

Just being with them and listening, I think its the most important thing you can do :))

Somewhere that you’ve never been in Aotearoa that you’d like

to visit?

I would say Mt Manganui but I finally visited the other week! So maybe the Coromandel??

Something that relaxes me when I’m feeling stressed is…

Up until recently it would’ve been getting into bed with a whole block of chocolate, but now it’s running and I am aware that I sound like a psychopath when I say that, but it honestly works wonders.

What is something you’re grateful for?

My friends!!! And my jobs! So many things!!!

The last thought that kept you awake at night was…

I sleep like an absolute baby so honestly nothing

Do you have any strange and completely irrational fears?

Dogs!!! Super scared of them hahah big unpopular opinion

My idea of heaven is…

When its a scorcher of a day and you’ve gone for a swim at the beach and you

’re just drying in the sun hahah so niche but the best feeling

What is something you’re excited for at the moment?

I am excited for life to go back to normal eeek!!!

Favourite song on your playlist right now?

Anything Taylor Swift, always - I’m obsessed!! And also motion sickness by Phoebe Bridgers (super late to the bandwagon)