Sharon Skinner wanted some empowering photographs taken after she turned her life around after a serious suicide attempt and severe depression following bullying at work. She took over Ssh Simply Second Hand in Penzance and loves being in her shop and is rightfully proud of her achievement.

"This bullying left me feeling worthless, hopeless and helpless and was a struggle I felt unable to fight. In the blackest time of my life I made a serious suicide attempt taking over 100 pills. I then spent a year waking every day not wanting to be alive and seeing no way out of my depression. I received no therapy and I was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. I made some progress on my own with the support of friends and family and a cocktail of antidepressants but the turning point came when I saw on Facebook that the Dandelion Clock clothes agency was looking for a new owner. After a year of paddling furiously to keep my head above water for everyone else when all I wanted to do was drown I had finally found my rock to stand on to keep me afloat.
Although I still have my 'blue' days I haven't looked back since then and have worked really hard to build a new business Ssh! Simply second hand. I absolutely love being in my shop and feel so proud of what I have achieved ( again with help and support) in less than two years.
I have raised money for charity for many years and decided that my chosen charity for Ssh! would be a local one, The Invictus Trust which campaigns to improve facilities for teenagers and young people with mental health problems. In the past year through a private shopping session, selling books and holding a successful designer fashion show I have raised £350." Watch Sharons video story