Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, visited local group Time Out for Carers to congratulate the group after they received £2,000 funding for an award the local MP nominated them for.
Time Out for Carers, a warm and welcoming support group in Earl Shilton, were successful following Dr Evans’ nomination for the National Grid Community Matters Fund and received funding of a couple of thousand pounds to assist with their work.
The group has become a “bastion of support for carers in our community”, said Dr Evans, after they increased efforts to connect with carers across Hinckley and Bosworth who needed respite throughout the Covid-19 lockdown.
During 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, Hinckley, during the group’s two week exhibition of their artwork, starting March 8th.
The £2,000 from National Grid has enabled 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/ relaxation sessions which are incredibly needed for de stressing for 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, Member of Parliament 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 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm at Earl Shilton Community House, LE9 7BP, and can be contacted via [email protected].
