Four positive UK influencers you need to follow

From Instagram gurus to Love Island stars, these are the need-to-know names that open up conversations about mental health, body positivity and sustainability issues. Especially while every reality star on your Instagram feed is in a bikini, drinking cocktails from a beach in Dubai, complaining about how hard they’re “working”. These are people who show what it means to really be an influencer in 2021.

Zoe Sugg: @zoella

Zoe Sugg has moved far beyond the teenage influencer she once was. Her blog ‘Zoella’, now her company name, tackles challenging and sometimes controversial entertainment news and is ran by a team of strong liberal women. A recent article detailing the best sex toys of 2020 blew up the internet, branded inappropriate for her once younger audience by The Daily Mail, The Times and more. Zoe turned to her personal Instagram account to defend the female empowerment she promotes. “All these media outlets are just perpetuating the idea that we should be ashamed of female pleasure.” She’s since received an outpouring of support from her now older audience, and also online magazine Cosmopolitan.

Alex George: @dralexgeorge

During the pandemic the A&E doctor has been campaigning for mental health to be more recognised and acted on by the government. Love Island’s Dr Alex has recently announced he has been appointed as Ambassador for Mental Health by Boris Johnson. He revealed the news on Instagram, saying: “WE DID IT!! You called and the PM answered!! I have been appointed as the Ambassador for Mental Health. It hasn’t sunk in yet and I’m not sure it ever will. I am truly humbled.

Fearne Cotton: @fearnecotton

Founder of @happyplaceofficial the podcast, Fearne has spent the lockdown period filming Instagram live videos, inspiring her followers to have a more positive outlook. She has always been a mental health advocate, but in recent months has made this her main focus. Her Instagram account is filled with inspiration and honesty, and she captions each of her posts accordingly, “let love combat the fear” a perfect example.

Dan Howell: @danhowell

The YouTuber and former Radio 1 presenter uses his social media to open up about his experience of living with depression. He revealed that he has suffered depression since he was a teenager. Recently, he was made an ambassador for YoungMinds, a UK-based charity working with teenagers overcoming mental health issues. 3 years ago he posted a Youtube video where he came out publicly “Basically I’m Gay”, sharing the struggles he faced confronting his sexuality and his identity, and he admits he spent countless years agonising over it.