Growing up my childhood consisted of being picked on by my peers in school, snide comments from my family and being bullied. This is where my mental health struggles started.

I’ve always had a sense of not belonging or fitting in anywhere, which has led me to feeling inadequate with low esteem.

Regards to my hobbies, as a child I used to do Tap and Ballet (which I disliked), colouring, painting, and being a bit of a tom boy. Through life’s ups and downs I have found a sense of calm and escape through different crafts. I always enjoyed doodling, colouring, embroidery, cross-stitch (which I taught myself) after suffering with post-natal depression after having my second son.

Most of my adult life has been dipping in and out of crafting, scrapbooking and making word art from book folding. In lockdown I started pyrography, burning images onto wood and making plant hangers and wall hangings from macrame. My latest crafts are using wood blocks to make 3D hearts.
Crafting is usually my go to to keep me occupied and try and focus on one thing at a time.

My life all changed when I attended a Purple Shoots Peer gathering, meeting with like-minded crafters. From there I wanted to start my own Self-Reliant Group. Since the beginning of the year, I have stepped out of my comfort zone, not only running my own group with the support from Helen but have also been asked to help in another group for women with additional needs.
From stepping out in this group, and we are in the early stages, I feel calmer in myself, I have a purpose in life, and I feel I belong. For me this is a major step from where I used to be.
This isn’t to say that I don’t struggle at times with my mental health, but the journey I am on now means I’m in a better place.

Jane Sommerfield

‘When life brings you down, loved ones and friends lift you up’. Jane S