Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 10 February 2023

BOSWORTH MP, Dr. Luke Evans, visited and congratulated local group Time Out for Carers for receiving a total of £2,000 of funding, from an award which Dr. Evans nominated them for.

The ‘warm and welcoming’ Earl Shilton-based support group named Time Out for Carers were successful in receiving the funding from the National Grid Community Matters Fund to assist them with their work.

Dr. Evans described the group as “a bastion of support for carers in our community”, after they increased efforts to connect with carers in the borough who needed respite through lockdown.

Throughout the lockdown, 12 members of the group took part in a ‘unique’ art project where each carer was sent a small piece of a famous painting.

They were given the dimensions and their specific piece to recreate in any medium they chose. The group didn’t communicate about their work nor have an end image in mind, but the resulting piece was a recreation of Van Gogh’s famous Café Terrace at Night.

The painting will take pride of place at The Atkins Building on Lower Bond Street in Hinckley, during the group’s two week exhibition of their artwork, which will be held from Wednesday, 8 March.

The funding from the National Grid has helped the group to fund mindfulness and relaxation workshops for the carers, who frequently asked for such classes throughout the pandemic.

Tracy Underwood, Chair of Time Out for Carers, said: “The group is so unique because it’s run for carers by carers. Covid-19 has been difficult for many in our group because they needed that time out but were frightened of taking anything back to the those they care for.

“It forced the group to evolve; we started online sessions, had phone calls once a week to catch up with everyone and did door drops to check in members who had gone quiet or stopped attending. As a result, our group has grown… proof that there’s always a silver lining!

“Luke nominated the group for a grant from National Grid which allowed us to provide mindfulness and relaxation sessions which are incredibly needed for de-stressing carers. The grant has allowed us to provide not only sessions but the equipment needed and to offer a light evening meal afterwards.”

Dr. Luke Evans, Tory MP for Bosworth, said: “I have been so impressed in all of my interactions with Time Out for Carers so it was a pleasure to nominate them for the Christmas Giving Campaign, visit the group in February to congratulate them properly and hear all about their plans for the funding.

“Members of Time Out for Carers have been wanting to take part in mindfulness and relaxation classes since Covid-19, so I’m delighted that this money is able to make their wish a reality!”

The group meets every second Tuesday from 7pm to 8:30pm at Earl Shilton Community House, LE9 7BP. They can be contacted directly by simply emailing timeout4carers@gmail.com.