Iris' story: tea, treats and togetherness

Iris' story: tea, treats and togetherness

Iris is a kinship carer to her three grandchildren, all of whom are under the age of 12. One of the children is autistic, while the eldest experiences anxiety, making day-to-day life both demanding and emotionally challenging for Iris and her partner.

With the responsibilities of caring for her grandchildren, Iris has very little time to focus on her own wellbeing or on her relationship with her partner. Much of her daily life is centred around meeting the children’s needs, leaving little space for rest or shared time together.

With support from her key worker, Iris was introduced to the Time to Live fund. What made this opportunity particularly accessible was the flexibility it offered, allowing breaks to be tailored around her caring responsibilities. At that point, the idea of taking time away from home felt overwhelming and unrealistic.

“Things were just too difficult at that time and there wasn’t any clear headspace for me to think about a holiday or a break, so this option came at a time that I needed the support most.”

After discussing their options, Iris and her partner decided that a simple, meaningful break at home would suit them best. They wanted an opportunity to relax together while the children played, without the added pressure of planning, cooking or managing meals.

Through the Time to Live voucher scheme, they were awarded vouchers for two afternoon tea experiences, which could be delivered to their home at a time that suited them.

They chose to enjoy the vouchers over a few weeks, creating special family moments at home.

“The cakes, sandwiches and pastries were delivered, and we had them with the children. We had a really good time chatting and enjoying these special afternoon teas - it made us feel looked after.”

The experience was particularly memorable for the children, who were excited to unwrap and help set everything out. The support not only provided a break from routine but also helped the family reconnect and create positive memories together.

Find out more about Time to Live here.