Soraya's Story: growing wellbeing

Soraya is a full-time carer for her young daughter, who is neurodiverse and has a learning disability. Her daughter requires constant support day and night, meaning Soraya's caring role never stops. The demands of providing round-the-clock care often leave her feeling exhausted, stressed, and with very little time to focus on her own wellbeing. 

When encouraged to apply for a Time to Live microgrant, Soraya reflected on what would genuinely make a difference to her life. She spoke passionately about her interest in both herbalism and nutrition, and her desire to learn more about natural approaches to health and wellbeing for both her and her daughter.

The Time to Live grant provided the perfect opportunity to combine learning with self-care. Funding was used to purchase an online herbalism course, along with a collection of culinary herbs, a herb identification guide, and a pestle and mortar. These resources enabled Soraya to create dedicated time for herself at home while exploring a subject she had always wanted to study.

The course has given her more than just knowledge. It has provided a regular opportunity to step away from the pressures of caring, focus on something rewarding, and reconnect with her own interests and aspirations. Learning about herbalism has allowed her to develop practical skills and discover new ways of supporting wellbeing through herbs and nutrition.

“Having the opportunity to learn more about these subjects has been wonderful. It has given me something for myself, helped me take regular breaks from caring, and allowed me to focus on an area that could benefit both me and my daughter in the future. More than anything, I feel listened to. Someone took the time to ask what would make a difference to me, and this opportunity truly has." 

For a parent carer whose daily life revolves around meeting the needs of others, having the opportunity to learn something purely for herself has been invaluable. The flexibility of online learning has allowed Soraya to fit study around her daughter's needs, making it accessible and achievable despite her demanding caring role.

Find out more about Time to Live here.