WATCH: Inverness mum turns to singing to fight mental health struggles after filming of new BBC show
AN INVERNESS mum hit the right note after taking part to a new BBC show in a bid to fight back her mental health struggles.
Stephanie Hirst (27), who is originally from Invergordon, said she found the confidence to sing after filming for the new two-part show Scotland Sings, which will air tonight on BBC Scotland at 10pm for the first time.
A single mum, Ms Hirst has been suffering from agoraphobia and severe anxiety for years but she decided to face her fears and applied to be part of the tv programme, in which X-Factor famous vocal coach Yvie Burnett puts together a choir of people who had set backs in life to perform on the Hydro stage in Glasgow.
She said that taking part to the filming in late 2022 was a huge challenge for her, but that overmcoming the challenge helped find her confidence again
"It was terrifying, it was like being in constant panic, an out-of-body experience," she said.
"I was so close to just say no and pull out, but I am very proud to be able to do it.
"I had almost forgotten how much I loved singing. I didn't think I was able to sing. Now that the show is finished, I realise it has really helped me.
"It's made me confident and feel that I can sing. In the way that Yvie has approached me ans talked to me, I felt so heard and understood though the whole process."
She has now started sharing some videos where she sings on her social channels and hopes to start doing some gigs.