Taylor's story: flying towards the future

Taylor's story: flying towards the future

Taylor is a young adult carer providing support at home for both of their parents, who live with health conditions. They also help care for their stepbrother who has autism. While Taylor has a close and loving relationship with their family, caring responsibilities can make it difficult to take time for themselves, and meaningful breaks can often feel out of reach.

As Taylor prepared to transition into adult services, their Carer Support Worker encouraged them to think about taking a vital break from their caring role, and to consider something they could look forward to. During conversations about their interests and aspirations, Taylor shared a lifelong dream: learning to fly an aeroplane. While it felt like an ambitious goal, it was something they had always wanted to experience and potentially pursue as a future career.

Through a Time to Live microgrant, Taylor was able to access an introductory flying lesson with a qualified instructor. The experience included learning about aircraft controls, radio communications with air traffic control, and taking part in take-off and landing procedures. It was an exciting opportunity to step away from their caring responsibilities and focus on something that inspired them.

"A dream come true for me. I had such a great time and even tried flying the aircraft with the pilot's help. It was all so interesting, especially the take-off and landing parts. Thanks to the Time to Live microgrant, I not only had a break from caring but was able to try something I had always wanted to do, and that was amazing."

This opportunity provided Taylor with a much-needed break and highlights the importance of talking with carers about what a meaningful break looks like for them. Every caring situation is unique, and the most effective support is often built around an individual's own interests, ambitions and aspirations.

Experiences like this show young adult carers that their futures can extend beyond their caring roles. By supporting opportunities that build confidence, inspire ambition and develop new skills, carers can be encouraged to pursue their own goals and recognise that their dreams are achievable. For Taylor, this was far more than a flying lesson. It was a chance to take a break, build confidence, and see a future full of possibilities. Sometimes, a single opportunity can help a young carer realise that the sky is not the limit, but just the beginning.

Find out more about Time to Live here.