Elaine’s story: serenity through sightseeing

Elaine’s story: serenity through sightseeing

Elaine cares for her father, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease. She provides daily support to help him be safe, comfortable and independent at home, for as long as possible. Caring involves visiting her father twice a day to help with meals, household tasks, dressing and other personal care needs. In addition, Elaine manages his appointments, shopping and transport requirements. Even when she is not physically with him, she continues to provide supervision and reassurance through an in-home care monitoring system, ensuring his safety throughout the day.

As her caring responsibilities increased, it became more difficult for Elaine to find time for herself. After speaking with her local carers' centre, Elaine applied for support through the Time to Live voucher initiative. She received an annual National Trust membership, giving her the freedom to visit museums, historic buildings, gardens and other National Trust sites.

“With my membership, this meant that I could visit museums and local National Trust parks and venues. Whether these were short visits or longer days out, that was up to me, and I could work this around the time that I had.”

The flexibility of the membership proved invaluable. Rather than having to commit to a single holiday or one-off experience, Elaine could take breaks whenever it suited her. This allowed her to enjoy regular, meaningful time away from her role without the added pressure of extensive planning.

“The carers' centre helped to put everything in place so that I could have this membership. Being able to choose the right thing for me really made me feel heard and that what I do to help my dad is noticed and appreciated. Now I have the flexibility to choose activities which I know make a difference to my wellbeing.”

The year-long membership has provided lasting benefits, allowing her to plan breaks at times that work for both her and her father. Having something positive to look forward to throughout the year has helped her achieve a healthier balance between caring and her own personal life.

“These breaks throughout the year are helping me become a more confident and positive carer.”

By accessing Time to Live funding, Elaine has been able to invest in her own wellbeing while continuing to provide high-quality support for her father. The flexibility, choice and opportunities provided through her National Trust membership have helped her maintain a sense of self beyond her caring role.

Find out more about Time to Live here.