Eric's story: a tent, fresh air and time together
Eric and his wife care for their two children, each with different needs. Their daughter has dyspraxia and a learning disability, meanwhile their son has ADHD. It had been a particularly challenging time for the family, and they felt a strong need for opportunities to reconnect, create happy memories, and spend quality time together.
They recognised that a traditional short break is not always possible for families with children who have additional support needs. They worked closely with a support worker to explore options that could offer both respite and wellbeing benefits, while allowing the family to create meaningful experiences together.
Eric shared that they would love to go camping. It offered a flexible and low-cost option that could be adapted around their children’s needs. It would also create opportunities for one-to-one time between Eric and their oldest child. However, they had delayed moving forward with this idea as they did not have the necessary equipment and were unsure if they could afford it. With support, the family used a Time to Live microgrant to purchase a bell tent, sleeping mats and air beds. They were also able to borrow sleeping bags from extended family.
The camping trip was a great success. The children loved the experience, helping their dad pitch the tent, inflating the air beds, and securing the guy ropes. Sleeping in the tent felt like a real adventure, and to Eric and his wife's surprise, everyone settled well. The freedom, fresh air and change of environment made a big difference.
“Having a simple camping break gave us space to breathe. It helped us reconnect as a family and showed us that, with the right support, we can plan small trips that reduce stress and build positive memories.”
This experience not only provided a much-needed break, but also gave the family confidence to continue creating enjoyable, manageable opportunities to spend time together.
Find out more about Time to Live here.
Eric said:
“We can now take short, manageable trips like a single night away at the weekend in good weather and that feels achievable for us.”