Beth’s story: driving towards independence
Beth is a young carer who plays a major role in supporting her younger brother, who lives with a chronic condition and ADHD. His needs affect him both physically and emotionally, and Beth helps with his day‑to‑day care. On top of this, she also supports her elderly grandparents, helping to reduce the pressure on her parents by sharing caring responsibilities across the family.
The demands of this situation can be exhausting and stressful. Balancing caring with studying and preparing for exams often leaves Beth with very little time for herself. At times, she has felt overwhelmed and isolated by the pressure of these responsibilities.
Through conversations with her Young Carer Support Worker, Beth identified that she needed a break and additional support. She learned about Time to Live microgrants and successfully applied for funding to put towards a block of driving lessons.
The lessons gave Beth regular, protected time just for her and a chance to build confidence, as well as learn a valuable life skill. Gaining the ability to drive has had a significant positive impact on her daily life.
Choosing driving lessons not only gave Beth something to look forward to, but also provided her with greater independence. This helped her manage her caring responsibilities more easily, while still making space for friendships, personal growth, and moments of freedom.
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Beth said:
“Driving has made caring a bit easier as it allows me to better support my brother. I am now able to drive him to his appointments, and we get quality time together away from the home. I also get more quality time with my friends.”