Priya’s story: die cutter and quilting essentials

Priya’s story: die cutter and quilting essentials

Priya works part-time while also caring for her husband, who lives with COPD, anxiety and Crohn's disease. Despite her caring responsibilities and busy life, Priya had always been passionate about sewing, creating clothing, crafting with fabrics and making soft furnishings for her home.

While attending a friendship support group for unpaid carers, Priya spoke with others who told her about Time to Live. She decided to apply for a die cutter and quilting fabrics, hoping they would allow her to develop her creative interests further and continue enjoying the hobby she loved from the comfort of her own home. For Priya, crafting had always been her way to relax and take time for herself.

Creating soft furnishings and handmade items gives Priya immense pride, and she enjoys seeing the results of her work around the home. Being able to dedicate time to an activity she loves has helped her focus on her own wellbeing, giving her renewed energy and resilience to manage the challenges of caring.

The die cutter and quilting materials have also allowed Priya to begin a project that means a great deal to her.

"I have wanted to work on a quilt for me and my husband for a while, so now that I have the die cutter and quilting items, I can finally get this underway. I feel that when I am working away, my husband is happy because he can see that I am relaxed."

Through the support of the Time to Live microgrant, Priya has been able to continue nurturing her creativity while remaining close to her husband. The opportunity to pursue her passion at home has provided not only enjoyment, but also valuable time to recharge, helping her maintain her own wellbeing alongside her caring role.

Find out more about Time to Live here.