A mother-of-two has written about her neglectful childhood in a bid to encourage people to speak out about their own experiences.

Sophia Moseley, from Maidstone, has co-authored a book speaking of her younger years growing up with her mother's drug addiction and alcoholism.

The 48-year-old is one of 14 authors who have penned the experiences that changed their lives for the book The Girls Who Refused To Quit.

She met Cassandra Farren, from Kettering, who collected all their accounts through social media and after chatting and learning more about each other, the publisher asked Mrs Moseley to be a part of her latest project.

The true stories will go on sale on February 6, to coincide with national Time to Talk day.

It is hoped by sharing the events that shaped them it will inspire others to open up and speak about mental health.

In her story, Mrs Moseley, of Albert Reed Gardens, tells of one instance when, at the age of 14, she was left to tell her six-year-old sister that their mother had been sent to prison again.

When their mum went away, her sister stayed with their grandparents but Mrs Moseley, now a potrait photographer, remained at their family home alone, with her father and his new wife in charge of checking in on her.

She said: "At the time for me it didn’t seem such a big thing but as I look back and write about the experiences I realise. It was very different back then.

"I've got two daughters, Phoebe and Bess, and I can’t even contemplate them going through even a fraction of what me and my sister went through."

The mum described her upbringing as bohemian, and said she was always surrounded by people struggling with their own problems.

Her mother, who passed away 20 years ago from addiction, was verbally abusive and Mrs Moseley said she was unkind, due to her drinking.

For many years she didn't share the truth about her childhood with anyone, expect with her husband Jason, with whom she has only shared small bits.

It wasn't until she visited a therapist and finally opened up that she felt comfortable to tell her story.

She said: "Writing it down was very hard but therapeutic. I feel like I don't need to hide any more.

"I carried a lot of shame and guilt about my childhood, I tried to hide how bad it was from everyone throughout my whole life.

"I am very glad that I have done it. I don’t want anyone else to feel how I felt for all those years.

"I am proud that I broke the cycle and hope that I can help and encourage others to do the same.

"Once we start talking about things and supporting each other it makes it easier to bear."

The book will be available to buy from Amazon and on Kindle on Thursday, February 6.

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