Sarah Perry - Clinical Psychologist, BA (Hons), PhD, DClinPsy

1. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

There are so many ways to answer all these questions and despite saying yes to Woman of the Month I feel a little embarrassed talking about myself! Personal achievements are rarely down to an individual as the support and encouragement around a person, lucky breaks and opportunities and all sorts of other things have their part to play. 

Bearing this in mind, I am proud to have started a Community Interest Company, Cornwool Craftivista, which enabled me to practice craftivism (craft and activism) at a community level. I was funded by the National Lottery to work with four residential streets in Falmouth, encouraging neighbours to come together to create something for their street that was accessible to everyone. I posted leaflets and each week visited the streets with a suitcase full of materials and waited to see who'd turned up. It took me way outside my comfort zone and I remember feeling anxious, excited, hopeful and doubtful all at the same time. I published a book, One Year of Street Craftivism, which captured what we achieved.

More recently I have opened Make A Mends with two friends, Sara Clasper and Liz Moody. Our HQ on Redruth's Fore Street is many things – a shop, a repair service and a community project. We sell repaired, decorated and second-hand clothes and recycled and upcycled gifts and accessories – all made by ourselves There are many problems with the clothing industry with the negative impact it has on our environment and societies. . We're encouraging people to take care of the clothes they already have in their wardrobe and to avoid buying new clothes. It would be great to establish a community of creative, respectful and maybe a little rebellious menders! We have recently received funding to research what repairing and recycling went on in Redruth historically, what is happening now and what may occur in the near future. We are working with other traders to celebrate repairing and local businesses. We're really enjoying being a part of Redruth town and I look forward to the days I'm in our HQ.

2. What motivates you to do what you do?

I often feel that I have little control over national and international events and politics and I find it hard to engage with important issues at these levels. However, I really believe we all have impact on our local communities, whether that be our street, neighbourhood, town, workplace, school, residential home or family life. We all have the ability to create safe, creative and playful spaces and to build relationships with others that are supportive and respectful. So that's what motivates me, keeping an eye on my behaviour and attitude and being aware of when I'm having a positive or negative impact on those around me. I believe in the power of small steps and acts and working from the bottom up.

3. What do you owe your mother?

Growing up I felt loved, secure and 'precious'. These things I knew through her actions rather than words. My mum is an independent, quiet, determined and kind woman. She worked hard all her life as a farmer and even now in her 80s I feel her physical strength. I don't think I will ever be as tough as her, but I know it's important to keep active.

When I was growing up, people were always dropping into the farm. My dad tended to do most of the talking and my mum would be pouring the tea, offering a slice of cake and listening. I think my sisters and I have all tried to create a similar home, where people are welcome to pop in. Like mum, we all have dogs and cats that loyally follow us everywhere! I remember mum cooking a tray of Yorkshire puddings for roast dinner every Sunday, some of those Yorkshire's always ended up in the dogs' bowls. We all love our food and sharing food, thanks to mum's constant home cooking.

4. Which women inspire you and why?

Gosh, where do you start? Obviously, people like my mum, sisters and friends all inspire me in different ways.  I made a dear friend about twelve years ago, who has since died, but she continues to inspire me in terms of her outlook on life. Anne had a great curiousity about the world, was very thoughtful, creative and liked to laugh. Our weekly get togethers were gently challenging and we talked about all sorts of things. She always made me question myself. For the last couple of years, my friend Sara and I have worked together, first in an art gallery, then a market stall and now in Make A Mends – her energy, creativity and environmentalism is truly inspirational.

I only recently discovered Audre Lorde, the writer, feminist and civil rights activist. Her writing blew me away and I'd encourage everyone to read "Zami: a new spelling of my name. A biomythography." What a great word 'biomythography' is – it captures how our stories are constantly changing! I have stitched one of her quotes, "I am not free while any woman is unfree."  

I also hugely admire another activist, Greta Thurnberg for her gentle protests and eloquent writing on climate change.

Two women, Sarah Corbett, the craftivist, and author of 'How to be a craftivist' and Kate Sekules, the clothes historian and educator and author of 'Mending! A refashioning manual and manifesto' are hugely influential and inspirational on a day-to-day level. When I lose my way, these are the two books and women I need to turn to, They  remind me of what I'm trying to achieve.  

5. What are you reading?

Three books at the moment. Mum and I read to each other and our current book is 'A long petal of the sea.' By Isabel Allende. Then I download unabridged audiobooks via Borrow Box through Cornwall Council Library. This means I can work and 'read' at the same time. I'm currently listening to Ruth Ozeki's novel 'The book of form and emptiness.'Finally, I'm currently knitting a tanktop and so dipping into Anna Bauer's fabulous book of patterns, 'Alterknite Rebellion, Radical patterns for creative knitters.'

6. What gender barriers have you had to hurdle?

I don't think I've always been aware of them to be honest and it is only in hindsight I've thought more about how ingrained sexism is in institutions and society as a whole. For example, when I went to school girls studied needlework and domestic science and boys woodwork and metalwork. I think one of the biggest barriers has been around pay and there are still significant inequalities on this front. I still find it hard to put a value, money wise, on the work I do and continue to undervalue my work. It's hard to find a balance between valuing yourself and being affordable! I think women are not often considered first when it comes to senior posts and positions.

7. How can the world be made a better place for women?

By having many more conversations about inequalities around gender, race, class, disability, sexuality and diversity. We all have prejudices and need to be able to talk about them safely without fear of judgment and condemnation.

8. Describe your perfect day?

A sunny day, starting with a walk with my partner Phil and dog Dottie on the coastal path. A little crafting, some good food and company, a beer later on, an open fire, a good film and deep sleep.

9. We've noticed there really aren't many (if any) statues of women around Cornwall - who would you like to see remembered?

We're currently researching the history of Fore Street in Redruth and the historian Jane Axton is helping us. In the 1871 census we came across Mary Glasson, a 30 year old dressmaker, living in Fore Street with her uncle. We have traced her life from birth to death. Janet comments that "Women like Mary don't figure anywhere in the history books. Knowing that she lived in those cramped conditions in what we might consider to be a boarding house, and perhaps having a disability, allows us to see a much wider slice of life. I expect that making (or most probably just mending) clothes at least gave her a tiny income and saved her from the workhouse." I would like to see a statue dedicated to women like Mary.

10. Give us a tip?

Make an effort to meet new people – you keep learning and broadening your horizons.

Biography

Dr Sarah Perry BA (Hons), PhD, DClinPsy

Sarah is Cornish and grew up on a farm situated in the Tamer valley. She studied Psychology and earned both a PhD and then Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She started out professionally as a Health and Social Care researcher working at a number of universities. Then she trained to be a Clinical Psychologist, enabling her to joined the NHS and work in both children and adult mental health services. She then became self-employed as a consultant psychologist, working for a number of organisations helping them with service evaluation projects. She gradually developed her crafting skills and started to sell what she made. This eventually led to craftivism, starting a Community Interest Company and opening Make A Mends in Redruth.