Stacey* cares for her son, H, who has autism and ADHD. Stacey also has ADHD herself and believes she may be autistic too. When she was referred to Action for Family Carers by Essex Wellbeing Service, life felt overwhelming.
Since becoming homeless in 2023, Stacey and her son had been living in temporary accommodation. Managing paperwork, appointments and referrals felt impossible. She was struggling to unpack in her current accommodation because there simply wasn’t enough space, and the sheer weight of everything she needed to do left her feeling stuck.
Although Stacey had received support from other organisations in the past, she had often felt let down and was unsure whether reaching out again would make any difference. However, she knew she desperately needed emotional support.
After receiving her referral, our team took time to understand Stacey’s situation fully. Her local Carer Support Worker in West Essex focused on providing a safe, supportive space where Stacey could talk openly without feeling judged or overwhelmed. Rather than adding to her already lengthy to-do list, they worked together to identify manageable goals and practical next steps.
Through this support, Stacey was connected with organisations that could help with financial concerns, counselling and mental health support. She was also supported to apply for a Carers Trust Grant, enabling her to purchase equipment (Google Nest Hub) to help manage her ADHD and stay on top of daily tasks.
Alongside accessing counselling and local support groups, Stacey and her Carer Support Worker discussed how one of our Enhanced Grants could help her take a much-needed break. Together, they planned a holiday for Stacey and her son.
What happened next had a far greater impact than either of them anticipated.
Reflecting on the experience several months later, Stacey shared:
“I can say that without a shadow of a doubt, that trip might have been the most important one of my life.”
The holiday gave Stacey confidence she never knew she had. Before the trip, she wasn’t sure she would be capable of taking her son away. By the end, she had discovered not only what he was capable of, but what she was capable of too.
One of the most significant changes came through her son’s relationship with food. Before the holiday, Stacey worried about his extremely limited diet and the impact it could have on his health.
“Where we had less than 20 safe foods, we are now at probably over 100, nine months later.”
The relaxed environment and variety of food available gave her son the confidence to try new things, creating lasting changes that continued long after they returned home.
The benefits extended far beyond mealtimes. Stacey noticed improvements in her son’s confidence, communication, independence, social skills, swimming ability and willingness to try new experiences.
“I left England with my anxious, burned-out child and returned with one that had evolved so much in such a short space of time.”
The experience also transformed their relationship, helping Stacey feel more confident in her parenting and giving them positive memories to build upon together. Making Stacey’s caring role feel more manageable even though H’s needs haven’t changed.
Alongside the holiday, the practical support Stacey received through her grants continues to make a difference every day.
Reflecting on the support she received, Stacey said:
“I have been through over 30 services in the last six years, and I have to say I have had the best experience with this one.”
“We had real conversations about my struggles that didn’t feel like form filling or a checkbox exercise.”
“Most importantly, I felt seen, understood and heard by someone at a time and in a situation where I constantly feel so isolated.”
Today, Stacey feels more confident tackling the challenges she faces. Most importantly, she no longer feels she must navigate everything alone.
Stacey’s story demonstrates how taking the time to truly listen, combined with practical support and opportunities for respite, can have a profound and lasting impact – not just on a carer’s wellbeing, but on the whole family.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
(Photo by Nikolai Artamonov on Unsplash)
