EXCLUSIVE interview with 'Effy Stonem'

So Kaya, lovely to meet you - how's life been since the finale of skins in Januay 2013?

Hi there! Likewise! Its been hectic, im lucky to have a second in bed watching Netflix! People really do take that stuff for granted. *laughs*

Haha, cannot beat Netflix! So, our campaign 'transformation' as you may be aware aims to give teenagers struggling to cope with a variety of diffferent issues a sense of ease and home. Talk to us about your Skins character Effy?

I think its a lovly idea; i certainly hope teens can offload here. Effy was a really troubled girl who really turned her life around in the final series. I first started the show when i was 14 and my own parents were getting divorced. This must've helped me play the part of Effy.

I understand - that must've made it easier to relate? Effy really experienced the struggle changing from a child to an adult didn't she?

Yeah most definietly - if i'm honest so did I, I found it really hard and wish i had something like this to anonymously talk to. Effy is influneced by alcohol, smoking and drug absue from a young age like her brother which affected her adolenscent years.

Effy also suffers from depression, anxiety, mental illness, schizophrenia, the death of loved ones and much more. This is a lot for anyone to deal with. After playing the part for so long and being nominated for 'best actress' twice in the TV Awards do you have any helpful advice for any other sufferers?

It is an awful lot and as you can see Effy went off the rails. I did worry whilst playing the part that teens would aspire to be like this and see it as 'cool' which is not the case. For this reason i wanted to show the success Elizabeth had achieved in series 7.

One particular episode that sticks in my mind and i'm sure other viewers is the episdoe where Effy bunks off school and cuts pictures up sticks them all over the wall and then hides under her bed for Freddie to discover her. How was this to act out?

In all honesty it was hard. The fact I was playing the part of someone who was so worked up and broken they couldn't move - it was tough.

I can imagine it was. Thank you for your time and it was lovely to meet you.

Absolutely no problem, i'm happy to help! I hope teens realise they are not alone theere is always someone who feels the same. See you very soon!