A Portsoy woman battling mental health issues has launched a fundraiser to help her buy a flock of sheep.
Sophie Perrett was signed off work last year, and in a desperate attempt to find something to keep her mind occupied, tried wool spinning for the first time.
She discovered she was a natural, and now wants to develop her skills further – by buying a flock of Shetland sheep.
She has already been busy learning about sheep fleece, its natural textures and the process to make it into wool.
Miss Perrett, who lives in a caravan on her parent’s land near Portsoy, is also now a member of the Salmon Bothy knitting group and has been given her own spinning wheel.
She said: “I’ve always liked animals but I’ve struggled with my mental health – I felt so pressured and couldn’t find a work life balance. I wasn’t sleeping or eating, Mum always had to remind me to do basic things.
“After I got into spinning the fibre into wool, I started learning more about the different breeds of sheep and the quality of the natural wool.
“I fell in love with the wholly natural process.
“They’re small sheep and I’m hoping that caring for them will give me purpose as well – I’ve not really a reason to get up in the morning but this should bring me routine.
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter
“The funds will be used to secure the land and essential start up things then I’ll get a few sheep and hopefully grow the flock from there.”
Her mother, Theresa White, is backing her efforts and hopes the fundraising appeal will help her battle.
She said: “Some days she’s very quiet and you have to remind her to eat, others she’s very shut down or just wants to be alone.
“Some days she really struggles and her mental health is up and down so you never know how she will be.
>> Support Sophie Perrett here <<
“It’s a matter now of finding something to make life better and give her some direction as it’s like she’s trying to run in mud some days.”
With a plot of her parent’s land, Miss Perrett is planning to rear the flock and slowly grow it for fleece and for meat.
