Qiana’s story: retreat to the spa

Qiana’s story: retreat to the spa

Qiana is the primary carer for her son, who has autism and dyspraxia. He is non-verbal, has no awareness of danger, and requires constant supervision to keep him safe. As a result, Qiana always remains vigilant, which can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Alongside this, she provides extensive support with day-to-day activities and personal care.

Her caring role continues throughout the night, as her son often wakes and requires support, leaving Qiana with very little opportunity to rest. Over time, the demands of caring began to affect her wellbeing, leaving her feeling stressed, overwhelmed and exhausted.

Recognising the impact this was having on her health, Qiana spoke with her Carer Support Worker about ways to reduce stress and improve her wellbeing. Together, they explored options that would allow her to take some time for herself and focus on relaxation. With support from a family member who was able to care for her son, Qiana was able to make use of a Time to Live voucher for a spa experience. The spa day included access to the swimming pool, sauna, a relaxing massage and lunch. Having everything arranged through the voucher meant that Qiana could simply enjoy the experience without the stress of planning or organising anything herself.

“Having the option to use a voucher that was organised for me meant that I turned up and didn't have to think about anything that day. I enjoyed a swim, the sauna and then later, after lunch, a massage. It was so lovely and I didn't realise just how much I needed this.”

The day gave Qiana an opportunity to step away from her caring responsibilities, relax and focus on her own wellbeing. During the massage, the therapist identified significant tension throughout her body, helping Qiana to understand the physical impact that ongoing stress had been having on her health.

“The lady who gave me the massage identified lots of tension and stress in my body, and this additional tension will have been the cause of my neck pain and headaches.”

The spa experience had a lasting positive impact on Qiana's wellbeing. In addition to helping her relax, it encouraged her to think more about self-care and the importance of making time for herself.

The Time to Live voucher provided much more than a day at the spa: it gave Qiana the chance to rest, recharge and recognise the importance of prioritising her own wellbeing, enabling her to continue in her caring role with renewed energy and resilience.

Find out more about Time to Live here.