If you get the chance to sing with others, perhaps in a workshop or one-off singing day, this might help your confidence. Festivals, for example, often have singers' workshops, and they're likely to begin with vocal warm-up exercises, which could be very useful to you. Singing along with a group is sometimes easier than bursting into solo song - you can sing quietly or mime a bit at first, and ease yourself in as you feel ready. I was at an event of this type recently, and noticed that a woman near me was hitting all the wrong notes at first, but later on she seemed to find her feet and was getting on just fine. We all had fun and nobody minded.

And as soon as you feel ready, do give it a go in private - in the bath, in the car, in the house when no one else is around. Just pick a simple song with a tune that you know and like, and try it out. If it sounds wrong, try pitching it a bit higher or lower. There's nothing to lose, as long as you stay relaxed and stop if it feels uncomfortable. If your throat feels froggy, don't cough to clear it, drink sips of water instead.

I'm sure a teacher would help you to start using your voice in the right way. Hope you find both (a teacher and a voice!)

Marje