Hilary's story: the joy of flower pressing

Hilary's story: the joy of flower pressing

Hilary and her husband live in a rural community and have always enjoyed spending time together at home, particularly in their garden. Hilary cares for her husband, who lives with Parkinson's and experiences sleeping difficulties. As both Hilary and her husband have become increasingly frail, caring responsibilities can sometimes be challenging, but they continue to find comfort in each other's company and in the surroundings they love.

Although opportunities for short breaks were discussed, Hilary was clear that neither she nor her husband wanted to spend time away from home. Having travelled widely in the past, they now find their greatest happiness in being together, tending to their garden and enjoying the familiar comforts of home. With support from her support worker, Hilary was encouraged to think about what a meaningful break could look like for her. Rather than travelling away, she wanted something that would allow her to relax, pursue an interest, and remain close to her husband. She applied for a Time to Live microgrant and was delighted to be successful.

Hilary used the funding to purchase a flower pressing kit, additional blotting paper, and a flower reference book. The grant enabled her to develop a hobby that combined her love of gardening with creativity and mindfulness.

"Being in our garden is my peaceful place, and we both love flowers. With my flower pressing kit and book, I can work on projects using flowers from our own garden. It's really relaxing and I feel settled when I'm doing it. I can also talk with my husband about the flowers in the garden and we can plan what bedding plants we'd like to grow next."

The hobby has provided Hilary with a creative outlet and an opportunity to take meaningful breaks throughout her day, while remaining at home. Flower pressing has allowed her to slow down, focus on something she enjoys, and create beautiful keepsakes from the garden that means so much to both her and her husband.

Importantly, the grant recognised that a break does not have to mean leaving home. For Hilary, wellbeing comes from being in a place where she feels comfortable, secure, and connected to the person she cares for. Flower pressing has become much more than a hobby. It has provided relaxation, creativity, and quality time connected to the garden she loves. Most importantly, it has allowed her to take time for herself while remaining close to her husband, bringing moments of calm and enjoyment into their everyday lives.

Find out more about Time to Live here.