Hannah’s story: woodwork and wellbeing

Hannah’s story: woodwork and wellbeing

Hannah is a single parent and full-time unpaid carer to her young daughter, who has autism and associated behaviours that can at times be challenging. Over time, the demands of her caring role left Hannah feeling exhausted, with low confidence and self-esteem. She had begun to feel increasingly isolated, often choosing to stay close to home and prioritising her daughter’s needs above her own.

Initially, Hannah sought support to access funding for items and services that would benefit her daughter. However, through conversations with her Carer Support Worker, it became clear that Hannah herself was struggling. She was feeling overwhelmed and in need of a break, but had not felt able to express this, as her focus had always been on her daughter.

Recognising this, the support worker gently explored what a meaningful break might look like for Hannah. During these discussions, Hannah spoke about her long-standing passion for woodwork - a hobby she had once loved, creating handmade items, ornaments, and gifts for friends and family. However, as caring responsibilities increased, she had packed away her tools and set this part of her life aside.

With encouragement and support, Hannah applied for a Time to Live microgrant and was successful. She used the funding to purchase woodworking tools and materials, enabling her to reconnect with her creativity and revive a hobby that once brought her great joy.

“Now I have the tools I need to cut, shape, and create again. The best part is that I can do this at home I can take a break when I need to, without having to plan or rely on others. Being able to stay close to my daughter means I feel more relaxed and less guilty about taking time for myself. This is my time, and it really makes a difference.”

Through this personalised approach, Hannah has rediscovered a part of her identity beyond caring, while building moments of calm and wellbeing into her everyday life.

Hannah’s story highlights the powerful impact of a personalised microgrant, showing that a meaningful break does not always mean time away. It can be something that fits around caring and feels both achievable and sustainable.

Find out more about Time to Live here.