Laura and Dean's story: family memories at Deep Sea World

Laura and Dean's story: family memories at Deep Sea World

Laura and Dean are kinship carers to their granddaughters. Both children have underlying health conditions, with one currently awaiting an autism diagnosis and the other living with epilepsy. As with many kinship care families, day-to-day life can be demanding, with caring responsibilities often bringing additional pressures and challenges.

The family has received support from social work services and their local carers' centre, both of which have played an important role in helping them navigate their caring responsibilities. Through conversations with their support worker, Laura and Dean were encouraged to consider the importance of taking regular breaks and making time for themselves and their family.

After applying to the Time to Live fund, Laura and Dean chose to receive support through the voucher scheme and were awarded a flexible, annual pass for Deep Sea World.

"Being able to take some breaks together that we could enjoy as a family meant the most to Dean and I. Money has been quite tight, so having the family flexi ticket and the opportunity to spend quality time together as a family just meant so much. The girls love all things related to the sea and aquariums, and we find that these visits have a calming effect on them too."

The annual pass provided the family with much more than just days out. It gave them the flexibility to visit whenever it suited their family's needs, allowing them to enjoy regular breaks without the financial pressure that often accompanies family activities.

For Laura and Dean, the voucher created opportunities to step away from the demands of caring and focus on simply spending quality time together as a family. The visits provided a chance for the twins to enjoy a calming and engaging environment, while they were able to relax and share positive experiences with their grandchildren.

Having access to the annual pass helped strengthen family relationships, create treasured memories, and reduce some of the stresses associated with their caring role. It also gave the family something to look forward to throughout the year, promoting wellbeing and providing valuable respite in a way that suited their individual circumstances.

Laura and Dean's story highlights how small opportunities for meaningful breaks can make a significant difference to kinship care families, helping them reconnect, recharge, and create lasting memories together.

Find out more about Time to Live here.