Tuesday 27th February 2018 - CCG knock back surprise

Posted 2:55pm

It's a topsy-turvy weather day - bright sunshine outside, but an hour ago there were thick snow flurries in Islington - but also a difficult time for us.

We thoroughly expected to be getting some seed funding from the CCG from April - amounts to be sorted out. We were told that funds had been found to "potentially" fund us - we were called in to be told a report was being done, and that it was for a year from the 1 April. Sadly, we discovered yesterday that we would not be getting anything - due to funds needed elsewhere, as well as procedures that had to be followed re tendering.

It is naturally disappointing, and possibly devastating. It does make you wonder how anything new gets done, that is not designed within the NHS itself. We found a gap in the market, as such.  Having suffered a couple of severe depressions myself, I knew what help I needed, and it is not available.  A positive group environment, focusing on moving forward and getting better, and not concentrating on bad things and problems. We are more about solutions, energy, getting people fitter and healthier, but also showing why. But most of all, it is proactive, fun and full of laughter.

We have asked to see a copy of the report - which we were led to believe we would see before it went to the CCG. I hasten to say we are not making a criticism of the CCG. They are under a lot of strain to ensure their is adequate facilities in the borough, and I know their budget is probably being cut too.

However, how does anything new get commissioned if there is no money for it? How do people outside the NHS obtain funding, and we did not ask earth shattering amounts.  Not only that, we have researched, designed and developed everything, and found terrific feedback for what we are doing.

Yes, we are saddened. But we are not giving up.  I am sure we can get things going, but we are limited by time now. We cannot go for another few months without seed funding. It's just a question of where we turn now. Hey ho!!

Sunday 25th February 2018 - applications are tricky

Posted 2:10pm

Applications can take a while. Normally, especially with funding, you have a limited number of words or characters, and in that time you have to interest the company enough to influence them to give you the money you need.  It's a fine line, and takes more than a few drafts.

The initial draft normally looks good. That is until you pass it on to others to review. I have done this with our Awards For All application. The main section. where you describe why you need the money, requires 4000 characters. That sounds a lot, but when push comes to shove it turns out to be more difficult than it sounds.

I am very grateful to my board, all of whom have come back with amendments and suggestions. Their guidance made me realise that a lot of changes had to be made. Several drafts later, and quite happy, I then took it to a meeting I had with Voluntary Action Islington on Friday. The meeting was about reviewing our Business Plan, and was very useful. I did not intend on bringing up the Awards For All, but as I had to email a copy of our current Business Plan to my contact Maria, I thought I would send along the application too.

Her advice was to make quite a few more changes. Two of my board had made similar pointers to me. But it is this sort of advice that can really boost HMHB. I like to think I am democratic. I know we are always learning, and a lot of what we are doing is new to me. So I have just changed the document once more - to include more about the problem, what we are providing to solve this, and why we are unique and require the funding. It's for a total of £10,000. She believes we have an excellent chance of getting the funding, but needed to be clearer in our explanation.

We got it down to around 3990 characters, so not bad. I am sure there will be a few more tweaks before we remit the application this week. But it is nice knowing people are spending their time helping us make sure we give ourselves the best chance possible of funding.

Thursday 22nd February 2018 - Izzwalkz progress and future

Posted 4:00pm

Most recent entries have concentrated on the Ajani project and finance issues.  Meanwhile, our local Izzwalkz program has continued with success.

Izzwalkz is all about getting people out from the flat/house, introducing some light stretches and exercise to a healthy walk, and getting people chatting and laughing with others. It's incredible how something as simple as a group walk can build confidence and improve well-being.

Our one current walk - the only guaranteed weekly health walk in Islington - is around Clissold Park, partnered with Highbury Grange Medical Practice, which is where we gather and finish. Normally lasting between 60 and 80 minutes, we enjoy a steady walk, making sure everyone is comfortable. There is no clique. Everyone chats with everyone else, and there is a lot of laughter, normally at the walk leader (me).

Numbers are steadily growing. In the last two months we have had at least six new members walking, and they all come back again, so we must be doing something right. And that is in the recent cold weather. Come the summer we are hopeful of even better numbers.

If we can get financial support from the CCG, the aim is to improve to five or six different weekly walks throughout the borough - using Highbury Fields, Finsbury Park, Kings Cross, Whittington Park, Paradise Park and Rosemary Gardens as possible sites.

I personally enjoy the walks immensely. I hope that once Ajani takes off I will still be able to walk as many as possible. We have built uo a great group. Next week, I am going to hand out some feedback forms and ask people to take them away and complete for me.

Wednesday 21st February 2018 - Benefits of a Board; Awards For All

Posted 1:30pm

Another full morning - that involved Luke and myself attending the local gym - and I am thankful to him for getting me their early.  A terrific way to wake myself up.

We have completed the Awards For All application - just about. I am very grateful to my Board. We had to prepare a 4000 character explanation of the project, and how it helps the local community, as well as those in poverty. I know we tick every box, but being able to put it into a cohesive, interesting and relevant document is not always easy.  My first draft I was very pleased with, but following excellent advice from Board members, who are far more experienced in funding applications, we are on our fourth draft, which is much better than the first.

I will get the application off tonight. We not only are putting a new signatory onto the bank account, but also had to put Luke on as  Director of HMHB, and I think he is suitably happy and proud to be there. I am focused on good due diligence. A solid foundation right at the start can only help us in the oncoming future.

We are now looking at the People's Postcode Lottery Trust.

Monday 19th February 2018 - VAI, Website, mugs, bank

Posted 1:45pm

After a restful weekend, these first three days of the week are dedicated to project and fitness, as I currently only have two arranged meetings - one for thursday and one for friday - so far, but hoping to get at least another two in. And of course we have the walk on thursday.

But that means a lot of work to get on with. I am still working on the Awards For All application with the Lottery Fund, and we are putting a second signatory on the bank account which is one of their stipulations. Actually, this is something I was going to do anyway. For security reasons, it is much better to have two people to sign to do things - although I am not sure how that works with online. I am going with Luke later today to Santander to make the necessary changes.

Through VAI we have three ongoing projects - The Big Alliance, which may be something that can help us, but actually I think they can make a difference to us in another way - we would like a local board member, and also they do have good access to legal companies.  VAI have also put us onto the People's Postcode Trust, where we can apply for up to £2000 for a new project. I am investigating that at the moment.

Our wonderful Kacper has made adjustments to the website. I found that our social media buttons were not clicking through to the right pages. We have also added a "News Feed" page, as I thought it important to be able to deliver instant information to people who go on our site.

We managed to get a £30 voucher we had to spend on Vistaprint. I really wanted to get business cards for Luke, but as we are waiting to hear re funding I could not put a mobile number. Instead I ordered 4 mugs for Ajani which we can use to promotional purposes. I have them for HMHB and Izzwalkz already, and hopefully will help us stand out at events.

Finally, Dean and I will restart our outdoor PT Saturday PT sessions on the first Saturday in March, back in Highbury Fields. I certainly need them, and we are hoping a couple of our previous Ajani service users will join us. I am meeting SHP on thursday and will also ask them to promote it.

Friday 16th February 2018 - Awards For All, New blog, CCG

Posted 12:45pm

Sitting with a nice coffee, looking out into bright sunshine, and definitely have that Friday feeling. Which is strange in a way, as not actually in a salaried position.  Im still not treating every day as if it is an actual work day - something I must adjust into - there is a target for next week!!

Had a really good look through the Awards For All application form earlier.  I have perused it a couple of times, and made a few notes before, but this was a real thorough focus. I am confident we can put in a good application, and will work hard on that all through the weekend and send it off for others to read next week. I guess, for some reason, I have been putting it off, But once it is sent, we would then get to hear about three/four months later.

We tick all the relevant boxes of what they are wanting to fund - and being able to get that funding would be a real boost - especially as we are still waiting on the CCG.

For that, we went for the real minimum we needed to do it comfortably.  Extra money on top, like the Big Lottery, would not bolster salaries, but instead mean we can build even better foundations.

I have been updating our new "news" blog, which is the one that will be visible through the website. This is a blog covering questions that we feel people would ask. But all features various NHS or University research into those subjects. The blog can contain our own views too alongside.

Finally, we recently purchased some Izzwalkz mugs, just as a thank you to our walkers for sticking with us and helping us build that particular project. I go on every Thursday walk, and I throughly enjoy the laughs and conversation. We are gathering a terrific group of regulars, and we ensure everyone feels welcome. This year we already have three new members. Most thanks have to go to the continuing support of our partners, Highbury Grange Medcial Practice, without whom we would be struggling.  Yay!!

Wednesday 14th February 2018 - procrastination, calendar,

Posted 2:25pm

I am sitting at a lovely desk on the first floor of the Canary Wharf KPMG building, where they have very kindly allowed me to work following my earlier meeting with Scott. I am off to North Greenwich in a couple of hours, and it means I can get a lot of extra work done.

Meeting was fab. It is excellent having an opportunity to talk things out, and be accountable for the ongoing work. I have been very busy of late. With the upcoming potential of funding - it would be amazing to get what we have asked for - there is a lot of diligence to put in place.

I think I had procrastinated on a few topics - which is so easy to do.  The tricky subjects are easily cast aside to do another day, but I have consciously tried to focus on as many as possible. I must construct another to-do list to properly organise my time.

With that in mind, I realised I did not actually have a yearly planner in place. I looked online and found a basic diary spreadsheet. I then formatted it more towards our needs - for example it only had one block per day, and I needed it separated into morning and afternoon. But I have done it for the whole of 2018 for now - and if the CCG comes through, god willing, we can then push on with confidence.

Tuesday 13th February 2017 - sacrifices and targets

Posted 12:00pm
Midday on a bit of a gloomy damp Tuesday. But upbeat in London on my laptop.

Yesterday was a very good day. Virtually every contact I had was positive, but we are totally in the hands of the CCG when it comes to the funding decision. We believe we have terrific value for money for the total we have given them. Even then, we will have to get further funding throughout the year. We are ambitious but also realistic. We have not short-changed ourselves, but also are not in the slightest bit greedy with out request.

Sacrifices on a personal level need to be made to try and ensure success though. There is no point in us advocating a healthier lifestyle, together with improved exercise and activity, if we do not actually do it ourselves.  With that in mind I walked over 22km yesterday without stopping (yes, it was indoors in a gym, but it was on a gradient of 4.0) and it took over three and a half hours. It beat my record of last week of 20km. I am also taking a good hard look at my diet.

Luke has given up smoking, replacing with vaping for now. I understand how hard that must be, but again we cannot ask people to consider their health behaviour around smoking and then have our staff light up in front of them. I am hoping that Dean, our main Personal Trainer, will follow suit. Naturally it's a choice. But it makes sense.

We really are excited about the future at the moment. I ma sitting down this week to sort out realistic targets for the next 6 and 12 months, and where we want to be at that time. We have to consider sustainability and contracts and future money. But it is starting to look more rosy for sure.

Monday 12th February 2018 - Better gym, DWP, SHP,

Posted 1:45pm

Better gym - Highbury Pool - which has recently had a fantastic refurbishment, doubling the size of its gym and totally refreshing the health centre (sauna/steam) part, has said they would be willing to allow us an hour slot for our program once a week off peak - details to be organised. That's amazing.

They also seem happy to partner up with us on a new walk in Highbury Fields, so that is also something to get sorted for later this year.

The DWP are happy to promote our programs and make referals if the CCG money comes through. That is also a fantastic bonus for us. I knew they probably would as we have discussed this before, but with funding so close it was important to actually ensure that we are ready.  It also opens up the door to other boroughs too, which is doubly exciting - especially when it comes to sustainability.

Finally, SHP Islington/Camden have said they will discuss us with other London Borough SHP offices and promote us. That is brilliant. Not only that, we are organising to discuss joint applications for the DWP job centre.

Just needed to put good news - always nice.

Monday 12th February 2018 - eye-opening moments

Posted 12:10pm

It's been a gorgeous Monday morning, weather is bright but nippy. And I wanted to show on the blog that epiphany moments can happen to us all.

It does not matter the actual situation that arose, but at the end of last week I realised that I was still coasting along - even though life has been a rollercoaster lately.  We are so close to seed funding - that will pay salaries and running costs, and launch us forward. But I was still allowing the niggling doubts to emerge and control some of my actions.

No more. I decided to treat this weekend and this new week almost as a new start.  Discard the people and actions that are holding me back, and grasp the coat tails of the people guiding me forward with enthusiasm. I know that may sound a little vague and convoluted, but it was time to push on.

February has been busy up to now - and I must start using social media on a daily basis.  We have been utilising Twitter very well over the last 8 weeks, and the same goes for Facebook.  But it's getting our name out there that is important.

We met with SHP who are commissioning us to do a third program with them, starting in June. But most importantly, they have said they will do joint applications on the DPS system with us with the Job Centre, as well as help us with out own solo applications. That is massive for us.

We have also met with the Job Centre, who are happy to internally promote our program and get service users onto them.

We are waiting on the CCG report to see how they portray us to the board for funding too

So a lot going on - and I am happy to say that I am fully focused again.