Grace and Amanda's story 

Grace* is a single parent to three children and cares for her two sons with learning disabilities, Autism and ADHD. Her 11-year-old daughter Amanda is a young carer to her two younger brothers who have communication barriers and challenging behaviour. The family receive intensive support from their local carers’ centre to help them manage with the boys’ complex support needs.

Grace applied for a grant to take herself and Amanda on their first holiday together to give them a short break from their caring role while the boys are supported by the outreach and respite service.

A grant of £200 was awarded to Grace and Amanda for a short city break. They’ve never had a holiday or been away together and Amanda is very excited about going away with her mum to stay in a hotel with a jacuzzi and a pool. Grace is looking forward to visiting the cathedral in the city. This break will give them some much needed rest, enable them to spend quality time together and have new experiences outside of their caring role.

*Identities and photos of carers and the people they care for have been changed in the interest of privacy

Picture by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash