Natalie and Sophia's story: spa break together

Natalie and Sophia's story: spa break together

Natalie and her daughter Sophia are both care for each other. Both mother and daughter live with mental health challenges, meanwhile Natalie also has mobility issues. Although some days can be difficult, their needs fluctuate which allows them to take turns looking after and encouraging each other when support is needed most.

Despite the challenges they face, Natalie and Sophia enjoy spending quality time together at home. They love cooking meals together and relaxing with films, making the most of the time they share.

With support from their social worker, both Natalie and Sophia successfully applied for individual Time to Live microgrants. They decided to combine their grants to enjoy a special overnight spa break at a local hotel - an opportunity to rest, recharge and take a break from their usual caring responsibilities.

The Time to Live grant gave them the chance to spend time together away from home, enjoying a change of scenery and focusing on their wellbeing.

"Mum and I had a brilliant time. We enjoyed the spa facilities and had afternoon tea together in the beautiful hotel grounds. It felt really special."

The overnight break provided both Natalie and Sophia with something they can rarely do: simply relax and enjoy each other's company without the pressures of daily life.

"We both thoroughly enjoyed the night away. It gave us a much-needed boost, time to relax and enjoy some time out together. It also gave us a wonderful memory that we can look back on in the weeks ahead, especially when days feel tougher."

Thanks to the Time to Live grant, Natalie and Sophia were able to step away from their caring roles for a short time, focus on themselves, and create lasting memories together. The break left them both feeling refreshed, supported and better equipped to face the challenges of everyday life.

Find out more about Time to Live here.