Saturday 29th April 2017 - lots of progress

Posted 2:30pm

A terrific week of progress - as we come into the end of April and the Bank Holiday weekend. So a lot to put in this entry.

First, Luke and I attended the first of a four week course run by Bags Of Taste last Wednesday.  It is a service that we are going to encourage our service users to be involved in, so I thought it would be a good idea to attend myself.  We really like their outlook. Like us, they are very much about proactive assistance. They are encouraging people to get cooking instead of using takeaways, and also showing that is can be done a lot cheaper.  On Wednesday they first demonstrated how to make a chickpea curry, as well as special rice. We then got an opportunity to cook it ourselves at the venue, as well as buy the ingredients to do it at home (for a total of £3).  I duly did that, and a photograph of my efforts is the picture at the top. Quite proud of myself.  I am looking forward to the next three sessions.

We have followed up with Single Homeless Project on the pilot program starting on the morning of Monday 8 May - and they have said they are excited to see how this ball pans out. So far we have 11 or 12 people signed up - we have advised them we would like between 10 and 15 so this is ideal.  I think the initial prelim meeting is a superb idea, and gives us a chance to get the forms completed, as well as discover targets and find out what people themselves are hoping to get out of the experience. So we are all set for this pilot.

We then followed up with Disability Action Islington on the pilot we are running with them starting on the afternoon of Monday 8 May.  We discussed the outcomes they are looking to achieve themselves.  Naturally it is a slightly different dynamic, but we see this as an excellent opportunity to see how our program can help different people.  We have about 7-8 people on this program. We wanted a smaller number just because of the dynamics. We know there will be two or three wheelchair users, as well as a mix of mental health service users. I am hoping this can be the start of a great relationship with DAI.

We had terrific news from Elizabeth House who have allowed us to use a room in their facility in Highbury so we can do a course starting on the 6 June with people from the Job Centre. This can only be for 7 weeks due to the summer holidays starting in July, and the availability of the room. But that is something we can work with.  It is a pilot after all. I will be busy over the next couple of days sorting out all the paperwork for this, so that the Job Centres can start promoting it from next week.

I have sent in an application to the Gunners Fund this week, and part of that covers the cost for the Elizabeth House room - although they have kindly said that if we do not achieve the funding they will allow us a one off free allowance, which is an amazing gesture,  However, they are a charity and I would much rather pay our way if at all possible.  We also applied for money towards travel, insurance for our Personal Trainer, essential stationery we need, shirts for our Izzwalkz volunteers as we provide more walks, and finally. and importantly, First Aid course for myself and Luke. This is required as we will be doing events on other days - including day outs.

I met up with Julia from Single Homeless Project Camden. She is very interested in walking, and we want to provide a weekly health walk in Kings Cross. We are going to meet up towards the end of May and tryb out a couple of routes and then do three or four walks in June and July to test them out with SHP service users. Once we find a good route I will then officially start a weekly health Izzwalkz KX.

So the next nine days before our opening pilots are going to be very busy.

Monday 24th April 2017 - highbury walk, forms, personal

Posted 1:15pm

Seems like every day is based around paperwork lately - either on research, or some kind of application form to complete.  It's all necessary of course, but can be tedious.  Over the last few years I would not like to imagine just how much I have typed and filled in.

We had our Highbury walk again this morning, alongside the magnificent Highbury Walkers, who have made us feel so welcome in our new partnership with them.  Teaming up with them was a little nerve wracking, as I did not want to feel like an intruder.  It just seemed silly to start another healthy walk when one was going all ready.  And a teaming up can bring rewards.  Four of the Clissold regulars came along this morning and joined in the stretching and exercises.  We will be introducing light exercise into the CP walk from this Thursday.  Dean is a qualified PT so I will ask him to run it, and we are covered under our insurance just in case.

Just two weeks to go till the official Pilot programs start - 8 May.  Very excited as well as slightly apprehensive.  There is always the worry that it wont work, or people will not like it.  I don't think that will happen, and we must have the "growth mindset" that we are promoting within the project.

This week I have meetings of some kind every day - as well as starting the four week cookery course on Wednesday, which I am particularly looking forward to.

Personally, we will be pushing everyone to go that extra mile on health and fitness on the program - and I am very happy this is coming along.  I have struggled - as will a lot of our service users - with motivation - although I should have a lot.  It does boil down to being responsible, we well as working with others.  It is just like the walks - you are more likely to do more, and enjoy more, if you are in a group and have support.  I have asked people lately to come out and push me - exercise wise - but nobody has actually said yes yet!! I am not blaming anyone or judging anyone, as everyone has their own targets and lives, but I am someone who blooms amongst a group.  I can do it on my own - I have in the past - but I think it is that initial nudge that the group mentality helps.

Friday 21st April 2017 - updating, amending, applying

Posted 2:20pm

It's busy busy busy at the moment - on a rather overcast Friday afternoon - where has the sun gone?

Yesterday I had to take it easy - was wearing a portable pressure cuff for 24 hrs to monitor my blood pressure - but today I am a lot more active.

We are pushing on a venue for our program with Job Centre users, and hopefully Elizabeth House will answer our cries in a positive way.  It's a great location, near to the old Arsenal ground, and the room looked ideal for our needs.

I have heard back from SHP and DAI and know they are both promoting the pilots.  It really is exciting seeing everything come together after years of preparation and talking about it over and over again.  Even now though we are fluid with how we will deliver the programs.  This extra few weeks, considering we were due to start on the 23 March, has meant we can prepare even more, and I think Luke and I are enjoying our banter.

We have been invited to attend the next RunThrough event in Finsbury Park on the 10th May (hence the logo at the top of this entry). I really like what they are doing and I am hoping we may be able to partner up with some stuff.  They said they liked our website and what we are aiming to achieve. So that's a good start.

We will be putting in a small funding application with the Gunners Fund through Arsenal in the Community this weekend, hoping for better luck than last time - but we also realise these funds get a lot of applications from terrific causes.  We need funding for First Aid, Insurance for PT, stationery, the Elizabeth House venue, plus some travel costs.  I am hoping someone somewhere will help us cover some of these.  I desperately want to show how professional we are, and the quality we can provide, and without any funding at the moment it is very difficult.  But we will soldier on!!!

This weekend is very much a consolidate, update and research time - lots to do.

Wednesday 19th April 2017 - things developing nicely

Posted 8:30pm
A week has passed - which did include the Easter weekend - which I admit i allowed myself a nice break from everything, spent some time with a friend, and relaxed.
But back with a vengeance, and things are moving along nicely.

Had some good meetings this week.  It appears that we will get three free visits to a gym for our disability islington users.  That's a great gesture by the Better gym people and a terrific boost for us. This I think concludes all the extras we have for our two pilot programs - which is all part of our proactive USP - no one else is providing what we are doing.

We also want to start another extra program in May (at the end) working with people through the Job Centres in Islington. We have the relevant forms to complete with the DWP, and today I hope we found ourselves a venue to do it - a centre close to Highbury. We had a solid meeting with them, and explained we have no finance at the moment (surely someone soon is going to help us out with), but they seemed happy to help us out this time - obviously any further programs we would have to pay for the room.  More news to follow - but that would mean three programs at least.

Had a very good meeting with a Level three PT called Lizi - who will oversee Dean (our other PT - who will be Level three in June.  I think it is very important to have a qualified PT in charge of the fitness side of our programs - another of our USPs - and we have had to reorganise ourselves very quickly following March's issues - but thankfully we have really landed on our feet.

So lots of good things happening.  Just some money from somewhere please!!  Lol.

Wednesday 12th April 2017 - luke, strava, and personal

Posted 6:30pm

A lot of emails to do today - and I think I managed to get everything done.  Redoing my to do list as quite a few new things have popped up in the last couple of days - and i need to ensure I am on top of everything - with under four weeks to go to the launch of our pilots we need to be focused (please let them start this time after the unforseen last minute circumstances in March).

Luke and I did more work on the delivery this week.  It will be interesting to see how the pilots go. Until we get them off the ground we wont actually know how well we work together, what works well and where we need to improve.  I can be quite self critical - which is good in a lot of ways - but also I can see where we do well, and it is right to self-praise where it is due.

I have started using the Strava app a bit more.  This is the app that measures time and distance when you run, walk, cycle, or swim. I must use it every day really.  It is free, and we are going to encourage our service users to get involved with that kind of tracking.  If people can see what they are doing accurately, it is much easier to set self targets and push yourself further.

Just ending on a personal note.  My blood pressure is higher than it should be - so much so I have been advised to come back weekly to the doctors.  I think there has been a lot of stress to do with the business set up - there is so much riding on my shoulders and people are reliant on me to get things done properly and professionally.  And that does not even cover the funding stuff.  But my cholesterol was higher too.  I have struggled on and off with weight for the last five years - and to be honest am very unhappy with my current position.  I am very much someone who enjoys having people around supporting and encouraging me on - and there has not been a huge amount of that this year so far. But I must push myself.  I see photographs (we have a gallery page on the website, and that includes several walks) and my size is not good.  But I am the only person who can do anything about it. So I must focus more and fight harder.  I know I can do it.  I think if I continue to type it it helps me - hence this entry. Maybe selfish, but hey ho!!!

Wednesday 12th April 2017 - full of beans

Posted 11:30am

Has it really been eight days since the last entry.  I apologise for being so remiss, but a lot has been going on.

Last week we had a fabulous meeting with the Borough Relationship Manager for Islington JCPs. We have met several times before, and they have encouraged us to provide programs and demonstrate outcomes.  We are already looking at the large application form to apply for contracts with them. Daunting I can tell you.

I approached them again last week as I want to run a few programs with the Job Centres. It is fine working with organisations like DAI, SHP, CGL, etc. but we also want to demonstrate that our Ajani project can work with people on JSA who have not had any health issues as yet.  However, because we are not under contracts it is not so straight forward.  Thankfully, with the permission of the JCP guy, we have been passed forms to complete where we can suggest to the centres we take people without asking for any funding at the moment.  We have to find a venue and a start date, but they will then actively promote us in the centres.  Another thing for my vast to-do list!!

Our 20th Clissold Park walk went well last Thursday in glorious sunshine.  Double figures yet again. It is starting to grow and the more the merrier.  I do need to encourage some of the ladies that they can chat and walk at the same time though!! LOL. Staying together is very important, and the social side is fundamental to the success.

Our replacement PTs we have approached both seem to be excited about what we are doing.  With that in mind I am meeting up with Lizi tomorrow on our CP walk to see if she wants to come on board.  Dean has virtually signed up.  He has agreed to film the bespoke videos we are producing for our Youtube channel.  I really enjoyed filming with ones with Adam, but they were always meant to be prelim to show the organisations at our December presentation last year.  I loved the banter with Adam on them - such a shame we wont be working with him again - but I think we can recreate that with Dean, and possibly Lizi too.  Let's see what occurs.

We have officially teamed up with the terrific Highbury Walkers on Mondays now.  I love their approach to the walk which takes in some group exercise too - working arms, legs and core. We are going to adjust the Izzwalkz page on the website to reflect both current walks - and I am still in conversation with a couple of other companies re Kings Cross and Finsbury Park.  I am hoping to have positive news on them in May.  All these things take time, but it is worth it in the end.

London Catalyst have confirmed receipt of the funding application we have with them.  I can understand that as we are start-up (albeit it with a solid foundation and a couple of years of excellent planning and good paperwork) and therefore that can make people nervous.  I am hoping we will get a chance to meet face to face with a representative to go over any queries.  We have forwarded on our constitution, as well as our evidence booklet.  I also asked both Highbury Grange Medical Practice, and Single Homeless Project, to contact them to say why they are working with us.  There is a lot of good work in the borough on mental health and helping people on long-term illness, but what we are doing is new and unique and very proactive, and I hope that gives us gravitas.

For the pilots I have created a weekly planner - so we can keep an eye on all the events.  The SHP one seems to have more.  I am hoping to persuade the better gym at Highbury to give us a couple of free mornings for DAI - going to chat later today.

Tuesday 4th April 2017 - energised

Posted 2:50pm

After the first two months of problems, March went very well, and that is carrying on into April.  I think the good weather maybe has something to do with it.  It makes you actually want to get up and about.

Enjoyed the second Highbury Walkers walk yesterday, and we officially partner up with them from next Monday - the 10th April - to start our Izzwalkz HF (Highbury Fields).  They are a terrific group and mix the walk with some really good exercise.  I definitely found the experience fulfilling.  I am not sure all of my Clissold walkers would be up for everything they do.  I will suggest some light stretching soon and see how that goes down.  But it might be good to be offering different walks.  HF is less distance but more intensive.

I am in contact now with two PTs after sadly losing Adam - I will definitely miss his enthusiasm and especially his encouragement.  But we have a fantastic lady, Lizi, and gentleman, Dean, and I am hoping both of them will want to come on board.  I am doing my sales pitch at the moment and seeing where it gets me. They both like the idea, and understand we are start up and there is a distinct lack of funds at the moment, but also see the potential.

I have also been busy trying to organise some of our "extras" for the program.  The ten weeks (initial first week is an intro week before the official nine week program starts) will all be on a morning for SHP and an afternoon for DAI.  But I also want to get people out and about, and that will involve other days.  The gym visits for SHP we are trying to get on Tuesday mornings.  We have a first aid course organised for a Tuesday morning too.  We want to see if we can get trips to Islington Museum and the Emirates Stadium - and looking round for at least one more - somewhere in Islington - although I might look at the British Library.

I am also approaching a few different organisations about doing a short presentation during our programs - for example the oral health department of Whittington Hospital.  Anything that can add to the awareness is great.

Finally, I am discussing with our new PTs about doing a few extra sessions in a park during the program weeks.  I am also anxious to get our bespoke videos done - I really enjoyed the prelim ones we did with Adam, and I have been told they look really good, and they like the concept, so that is also for the future.

Monday 3rd April 2017 - strong developments

Posted 2:55pm

Monday afternoon, on a glorious sunny day in London.  Does make you feel good with a natural lift.

Feeling very good about the week ahead.  Kacper came round at the weekend, and we worked out several little tweaks on the website - well, I say "we" but technically I asked and he did.  This involved some of the links that were not working, as well as the footer for the site.  This week he is adjusting the posting for the Highbury Fields walk.

I have joined up for the next Bags of Taste course.  I mentioned it last posting as something we will be recommending to our service users, and I thought the best thing was to actually try it out myself.  I also think it will do me some good.

We completed, and emailed off, the funding application with London Catalyst on Friday night - we have applied for £4800 which could really help as we produce the pilots and work towards providing the outcomes people are looking for.  I would imagine they get a lot of applications, so there is no sure fire way we will get that amount, or even a percentage of that, but it would be nice for someone with some money to recognise what we are doing, and give us a chance to get hold of the funds to enable us to deliver the professional and quality service we are aiming to provide.

We had confirmation that the application was received, and that someone would be in touch to meet us and discuss this further.  That is a good sign.  Some funders, and I understand if they get a lot of applications, just send an email or letter, and even then don't explain why if you get turned down.

This week we are working even more on the content of the programs.  We are also looking at a couple of other funding applications - I want to get them off by the end of the week.  Finally we have a meeting with the DWP hoping we can get a pilot with them organised, and I want to chat with them about the Digital Purchasing System, where they invite funding applications from people wanting to partner with them.