Dana's story: piecing together moments of calm

Dana's story: piecing together moments of calm

Dana has a busy family life and is the primary carer for her daughter, who has autism and a learning disability, as well as her two older sons, one of whom has dyspraxia. Her days are filled with supporting her children's individual needs, managing routines and ensuring everyone is cared for and attended to.

Alongside the demands of daily life, Dana's daughter experiences sleep disturbances, meaning that several nights each week, Dana is awake for periods of the night to provide support and reassurance. These interrupted nights often leave her feeling exhausted, with very little time to focus on her own wellbeing.

During conversations with her social worker, Dana spoke honestly about the challenges of caring and the impact it was having on her. She explained that during the night, when she was awake supporting her daughter, she didn't want to fall into the habit of endlessly scrolling on her phone. Instead, she wanted something positive and engaging that would help her switch off from her caring responsibilities, even for a short while. Having always enjoyed puzzles, board games and jigsaws, Dana was encouraged to apply for a Time to Live microgrant. Through the grant, she was able to purchase a selection of jigsaws, family board games and a card-matching game for her daughter.

"During the night when I'm awake, I wanted something that would help take my mind off everything. Jigsaws give me something to focus on without having to think too hard about anything else, and that has really helped. I was also able to buy some board games that mean we can enjoy time together as a family. I even got my daughter a card-matching game, and during the night she'll sometimes play that while I work on my jigsaw. It's relaxing for both of us."

The items have provided Dana with valuable opportunities to take a break, recharge and focus on something she enjoys. At the same time, they have created new opportunities for family connection and shared activities, benefiting both Dana and her children. The board games have also quickly became a favourite within the household, helping to establish regular family time that everyone could look forward to.

For Dana, the microgrant has created moments of calm during difficult nights, helped strengthen family relationships and provided a valuable way to look after her own wellbeing while continuing in her caring role. Sometimes, the smallest breaks can make the biggest difference.

Find out more about Time to Live here.