Hi from Australia and new to the group.
We have just adopted a 7 month old kitten (Honey) after the death of our much loved 14.5 year old tabby cat Tiger. We got her from a lady who rescues unwanted kittens and she was apparently the smallest in a litter of eight. She was housed in a room with about 6 much bigger cats and had to be dragged out from behind a sofa so that we could see her. The lady said she had been looking for a family with no small children to home her with as she was a very timid little girl. She is a cross between a Siamese and a Grey and White tabby having Brown ears, blue eyes and a cream coat with honey coloured stripes and already we love her dearly. There are only the two of us, I am late fifties and my husband early 60s, all our chicks having left home so we have a quiet peaceful home. Our baby however is still very frightened after nearly 3 weeks with us. She is eating OK , uses the litter tray and plays happily with her many toys but when we come near her she cringes and runs away to hide from us.
The funny think is a night time she will sleep at the bottom of the bed but still will not even come to me when I hold out her food.
Has anyone any suggestions about how we can build up her confidence? or is it just a question of time and love.
Timid cat
Re: Timid cat
Sandy, it could very well be a question of time and love. It sounds like you have plenty of the latter 
If she was weaned too early in life, this too, can cause a timid cat. It is usually because socialization with mother or siblings didn't occur for a proper length of time.
I think I would give this alittle more time. It's obvious she is already greatly accustomed and comfortable in her new environment, perhaps she is simply unsure of humans at this point. Not knowing anything about her prior environment, she could be associating you with something from her other home. Her previous owner being a rescuer, confinement to a small area was probably a precursor.
Keep doing what you're doing, go slow around her, interest her with what appear to be her favorite things, don't give up, and soon you will probably find she will become more curious about you and will develop a bond. Three weeks isn't really a great deal of time for establishing trust and security. Just be patient and give her lots of love...
If she was weaned too early in life, this too, can cause a timid cat. It is usually because socialization with mother or siblings didn't occur for a proper length of time.
I think I would give this alittle more time. It's obvious she is already greatly accustomed and comfortable in her new environment, perhaps she is simply unsure of humans at this point. Not knowing anything about her prior environment, she could be associating you with something from her other home. Her previous owner being a rescuer, confinement to a small area was probably a precursor.
Keep doing what you're doing, go slow around her, interest her with what appear to be her favorite things, don't give up, and soon you will probably find she will become more curious about you and will develop a bond. Three weeks isn't really a great deal of time for establishing trust and security. Just be patient and give her lots of love...
..........Traci