Kirsten’s story: brushstrokes of hope and strength

Kirsten’s story: brushstrokes of hope and strength

Kirsten has significant caring responsibilities for her mum, who is living with frontotemporal dementia - a condition that has progressively become more challenging, particularly as concerns around her mum’s safety have increased. Kirsten provides a high level of care, including helping with medication, personal care, and managing household tasks. She has also recently moved home to be closer to her mum and ensure she can provide the support needed.

Balancing caring with work became increasingly stressful, leaving Kirsten feeling isolated, exhausted, and struggling to cope. The demands of caring began to take a serious toll on both her mental and physical health.

With support from her local carers' centre, Kirsten was able to open up about how she was feeling. During these conversations, she shared that art had always been a source of peace and joy for her, but recently she had found it difficult to make time for it or fully engage.

With the opportunity of a Time to Live microgrant, alongside additional family support, Kirsten decided to invest in something meaningful for herself. She used the grant to enrol in a flexible fine art course, allowing her to study at her own pace, one module at a time. For the first time in a long while, she had something just for her an outlet that brought her genuine fulfilment.

Through a mix of online and occasional in-person sessions, Kirsten was also able to attend an art exhibition and connect with others through creative activities. These opportunities helped her build friendships, reduce her sense of isolation, and reconnect with a supportive community.

“This grant has brought meaning back into my life. For the first time in a while, I can look to the future with excitement and ambition. Just being able to be an artist for a time, rather than a carer, was priceless. I’ve made new friends and had some much-needed fun. It’s helped ease my isolation, and the break from my routine has really reduced my stress levels and given me the confidence to face the world again. Mum loves seeing my artwork and talking about it together is relaxing and nurturing for us both.”

This experience has helped Kirsten rebuild her confidence, improve her wellbeing, and rediscover her identity beyond caring. 

Find out more about Time to Live here.