Teagan’s story: lashes and a life alongside caring
Teagan is 16 years old and plays a vital role within her family. As the eldest sister to three brothers, she helps care for her two younger siblings who have autism and ADHD. Both require constant supervision and often need to be kept separate due to challenging behaviour, placing significant responsibilities on Teagan.
At home, she balances caring alongside everyday household tasks such as cooking, washing, and supporting her parents however she can. Her commitments mean she rarely gets time to focus on herself.
During a dedicated young carers' session focused on hair and makeup, Teagan shared her passion for beauty therapy - particularly makeup, eyelashes and nails. Recognising this interest, her Carer Support Worker discussed ways she could explore this passion further. Together, they talked about the possibility of attending evening classes as a way for Teagan to gain skills, take a break from her caring role, and focus on something just for herself.
With encouragement, Teagan applied for a Time to Live microgrant to fund an eyelash application course at a local college. The evening classes gave her a valuable opportunity to step outside her caring responsibilities, meet new people, and invest in her future.
“As I was still at school, I was thinking about my next steps. I knew I wanted to go to college or find work doing something I enjoyed, but I also needed time away from home to focus on myself, not just caring. Completing the course helped me realise my potential. It gave me the confidence to leave school and move forward into further study in beauty therapy. Without the microgrant, I wouldn’t have had this opportunity or believed in myself enough to take that next step.”
The Time to Live microgrant was more than financial support: it was a turning point for Teagan. It gave her the opportunity to step beyond her caring responsibilities, discover her talents, and build confidence in her future. Through the course, she not only developed practical skills in beauty therapy but also gained independence, friendships, and a renewed sense of identity. The grant helped Teagan see that while caring is a significant part of her life, it does not define her and that she has the ability to pursue her own goals, aspirations, and a bright future.
Find out more about Time to Live here.
Teagan said:
“[The grant] showed me that I can have a life outside of my responsibilities at home. I’ve grown in confidence, pushed myself further, and even made a group of friends who see me for who I am, not just as a young carer.”