Scott’s story: Italy closer to home

Scott’s story: Italy closer to home

Scott lives with his partner, Debs and cares for his older brother, Alan who has an acquired brain injury and mobility issues. Caring for Alan is part of daily life, and over time Scott has taken on increasing responsibilities to support him, often without recognising the impact it was having on himself.

Debs noticed that things were becoming more challenging. Scott was increasingly tired, taking on more responsibility, and becoming more isolated at home. Eventually, Scott opened up:

“I’m finding life very mundane, and I just feel stuck at times. I look after my older brother, and sometimes I feel overwhelmed.”

Initially, Scott reached out for support for Alan, looking into equipment and services that could help. However, through discussions with the organisation supporting him, the focus gently shifted towards Scott’s own wellbeing. At first, he felt that his own time was not important:

“I just want to make sure my brother is okay. But sometimes I suppose you don’t get to enjoy life fully and can feel stuck in a rut.”

With continued encouragement, Scott was asked to reflect on what brought him joy. He shared a long-held dream:

“I love reading and learning. One of my dreams is to learn Italian. I’ve always wanted to speak the language and visit Italy one day -  it’s something I’d love to do with Debs.”

With support from Debs, additional help at home, and a Time to Live microgrant, Scott was able to enrol in Italian language lessons at a local college. This gave him a dedicated time each week that was just for him.

The Italian language lessons offered Scott a regular break from his caring role, helping him feel less isolated and more like himself again. This small but meaningful opportunity has strengthened his wellbeing, relationships, and outlook for the future, showing how tailored support can make a lasting difference in the lives of carers.

Debs said:

“It’s so good to see Scott doing something for himself. And who knows maybe one day he’ll be ordering food and drinks in Italian when he takes me to Italy!” 

Scott’s story demonstrates the powerful impact of a flexible, personalised microgrant. By supporting him to pursue a long-held ambition, the Time to Live grant provided more than just a course it created space for connection, confidence, and renewed purpose.

Find out more about Time to Live here.