Jordan's story: foraging for rest

Jordan's story: foraging for rest

Jordan has significant dual caring responsibilities, providing ongoing support to both a parent living with dementia and a partner with a physical disability. Managing these roles day after day had began to take its toll, and Jordan reached a point where they were feeling close to burnout and in urgent need of support.

During conversations with their Carers' Wellbeing Support Worker, Jordan talked about how overwhelming things had become. When discussing the idea of taking a break, Jordan shared that what they really needed was time away from their responsibilities - something that would allow them to rest, reset and step outside of their caring role, even if only briefly.

Together, they explored what kind of break might feel most beneficial. Jordan spoke about their interest in foraging and mentioned a two-night residential hotel course they had found. The break included full board accommodation and offered guided foraging experiences, providing both relaxation and an opportunity to explore something new. However, due to financial constraints attending had not been possible.

With encouragement, Jordan applied for a Time to Live microgrant and used the funding to book a place on the residential course. This enabled them to take a full weekend away from their caring responsibilities, a rare chance to focus entirely on themselves.

“The restorative activities meant that I was able to enjoy something I’m really interested in. I had proper rest and good sleep, and I didn’t need to talk if I didn’t want to. I just spent time in nature and enjoyed the grounds of the hotel.”

Spending time outdoors in a calm and supportive environment allowed Jordan to recharge in a way that daily life rarely permitted. The impact of the break extended beyond the weekend itself. Having had the opportunity to reset, Jordan felt more resilient and better able to manage the emotional demands of caring.

Find out more about Time to Live here.