Blake’s story: reconnecting with family

Blake’s story: reconnecting with family

Blake is a single parent who provides full-time care for his adult son, who has additional support needs. His caring role is extensive, involving both practical and emotional support. Alongside these responsibilities, Blake manages his own health conditions and lives on a low income, which significantly limits opportunities for rest, social connection, and family activities.

As a result, both he and his son have experienced periods of isolation, with limited contact with their wider family network. With support, Blake received a Time to Live microgrant which enabled him and his son to attend an important family celebration. This support allowed them to take a much-needed break and reconnect with extended family members in a meaningful way.

Staying with family during the visit provided a supportive and welcoming environment, where both Blake and his son felt included and understood. The opportunity to attend a family party and spend time together created space for positive shared experiences, strengthening relationships that had become distant over time.

"I have such an improvement in my overall wellbeing. I really feel less isolated and more connected to my family network; I feel that they understand my son better too. Being able to contribute financially and take a break with my son had a real positive impact on my confidence and self-esteem."

The break allowed both Blake and his son to step away from their daily routine and experience a renewed sense of belonging. It strengthened family relationships and helped reduce feelings of isolation. Importantly, it also created lasting connections. Since the visit, Blake has reconnected with a cousin and now stays in regular contact.

"This experience has helped me recognise the importance of taking breaks and maintaining connections beyond caring, and since the party and visit, I’ve connected with my cousin and we talk regularly now."

Overall, the microgrant had a significant, positive impact on Blake’s wellbeing and confidence. Longer term, this kind of support helps sustain him in his caring role by reducing stress, building resilience, and encouraging continued engagement with both family and support networks.

Find out more about Time to Live here.