Thursday 26th July 2018 - Accounts; Ajani; Monday gym sessions

Posted 9:45pm

I have been loving this gorgeous hot weather - I am sure in a few month's time everyone is going to be moaning about how cold it is instead.

Managed to solve an accounts issue. Although i have done management accounts for years, there are some things I have never had to do - and this includes setting a business up as an employer, as well as setting up employees within that format - and it is very important to get this right as there is Income Tax and National Insurance (Employee and Employer) to take into account (PAYE).

I went online and telephoned a company in London, who wanted to charge me over five hundred pounds, well beyond our budget for this. However, getting to know the Big Alliance in Islington has proven to be an excellent idea. They directed me to an Islington accountant who works with charities and enterprises, and he is doing everything for one hundred plus VAT. A wonderful gesture.

This has been a weight off my mind. And, means I can concentrate on the four Ajanis to organise. It appears we are doing a four session one with Haringey Recovery Service, starting in the afternoon of Wednesday 8th August. Through Joe at SHP, we are approaching SHP Hackney to run one with them starting a week later.

We are trying to get one with Icope and the Medical Centre to start in the first week of September, as well as one with Ingeus/Barnsbury Job Centre to start the same week. It's a huge amount of work.

Finally, the Monday gym sessions are going well, and now through to the end of September. I am meeting up with the manager of the centre tomorrow to discuss a possible partnership with a walk in Highbury Fields to start in September.

Wednesday 18th July 2018 - Haringey Recovery Service, plus Hackney

Posted 1:55pm

We met and chatted with Haringey Recovery Services yesterday afternoon in their offices based between Manor House station and Seven Sisters station, on Seven Sisters Road.

We had been introduced by one of our Ajani users, and it should also be said that our fantastic PT Dean also used their service while he was training to be a Personal Trainer.

It was a terrific chat, and on the base of that we will be running one of our Lottery Awards For All funded Ajani programmes with them in August - and we are very excited about that. It would be our first venture away from Camden and Islington, so a little daunting, but they were enthusiastic about the program and its possibilities.  It does give us just two weeks to prepare, which is a challenge. But I am confident we can do ourselves proud.

On the back of that success, I have today approached Hackney Recovery Services. We could do an Ajani in September with them, and I have left details and asked for a face to face meeting. It would truly amazing if, by the end of September, we could have done programmes in four boroughs - Camden, Islington, Hackney and Haringey. Especially if all can give us a good report.

Wednesday 18th July 2018 - fitness sessions going well

Saturday 14th July 2018

Highbury Fields

Posted 1:45pm

Delighted to report that our fitness sessions are fabulous, and it is terrific to see an idea we had a while ago finally getting recognition. For many months, it was just myself and PT Dean, occasionally being joined by an Ajani user. However, since the last program, and probably helped by the decent weather, numbers have grown. Last Saturday, as per the pic above, there were six of us, but we have had nine - the aim is double figures. And with 5 upcoming Ajani programs in August and September, we are hopeful this will happen. It isnt just the exercise, it is the banter and friendship too. I would ass we do push ourselves though.

Monday 16th July 2018

Highbury Leisure Centre - Studio One

And then we have the great success of our Free Monday sessions in the gym studio at the newly refurbished Highbury Leisure Centre. Manager James has been fantastic in allowing us use of the studio, in the capable hands of our own PT Dean. We have a mix of Izzwalkers and Ajani users, and he puts us all through our paces, mindful of capabilities due to age or injury.  As you can see, the studio is huge.  I am most proud that it can run without me being present. Up to recently, although I have a fabulous team around me, it has felt very much like a one man band at times, but PT Dean looked after our session whilst I had to be elsewhere.

We have asked the gym if we can have the studio in August and September too - if we can get it that would be a terrific bonus.

Tuesday 17th July 2018 - handouts and folder

Posted 2:05pm

With five upcoming Ajani progammes to be completed by the end of September, there is a huge amount of work to do.  We also aim to be more professional.

The last Ajani, with SHP, that finished in June, demonstrated to me that we needed to be a lot better with our files and handouts. With that in mind, and as Vistaprint had a 50% sale, we ordered oour own handout folders - pictured above. The back details our social media, including website. We are very happy with these.

With that in mind, we also fell short with our handouts. One of the problems was that we either had to print them from home, or ask SHP, which I didnt like to do. So instead we have made an order with an Islington printing company.

We have eight fitness handouts titled "a simple guide to" - with eight basic exercises - explaining how to do them and how it helps your body. These are:

Squats;  Lunges

Press Ups;  Plank

Crunches;  Reverse Crunches

Burpees;  Mountain Climber

We have six nutrition handouts titled "a simple guide to" - with six different topics

Protein:  Carbohydrates

Fats:  Sugars

Fruit and Vegentables:  Vitamins and Minerals

We have also asked them to print out copies of staff contracts and company staff handbooks.

This will save us a huge amount of time, and also looks more professional. Yes, there is a cost involved naturally, but that is inevitable.

Tuesday 17th July 2018 - Capacity Building Programme

Lazza (third left at back)

receiving certificate from VAI

4 July 2018

Posted 1:50pm

Had an excellent meeting with our KPMG mentor and friend Scott earlier. Looking at the next six months and various evidence and monitoring we need to deliver. As well as other paperwork. It's never ending!!!

HMHB completed the year long Capacity Building Programme managed by Voluntary Action Islington - the picture above shows our founder Lazza collecting our certificate. The project helped us look at our Business Plan, Financial procedures and funding, evaluation and monitoring, as well as other aspects of setting up, and maintaining, a business.

The information was valuable and we made some great connections too. I think every business should try and get involved in something like this, mainly because it helps you focus on what is necessary. I have been to many network events and chatted to people who believe they are ready to trade, or ready for funding, when in reality they are far away.

We would like to thank Yvette and Maria for their kindest efforts in supporting us.

Monday 16th July 2018 - health problems highlight why we have HMHB

Posted 3:30pm
Yes, it's been a while. That has been due to serious health issues within HMHB and aftermath.

Firstly, for the people who have known what has been happening, a huge thank you for any messages of support and love. Our founder, Lazza, had a life saving operation (ruptured appendix) a couple of weeks ago, and then followed that up with an eye operation (a much safe cataract procedure), so has been recovering nicely - and as it is Lazza typing this you can see I am back on the project once again.

To me, it has brought home a lot of what HMHB is about, and our message we are trying to get across. We have one body, and one opportunity to live a great life. Anything can happen, but we also have a responsibility to look after it, treat ourselves, but also make sure we have the best life possible. Both my surgeries were just down to luck, but I also realised I was using excuses on my weight issues, as well as putting various issues to the back of the queue instead of addressing the,.

I am delighted to still be here, and will use this chance to push harder and harder to achieve our goals. HMHB is a terrific venture, finding our way, and I know we will succeed.

I will do more entries over the next few days, as I catch up on a huge to-do list. There is a lot happening, a lot of excitement, and we love having you along for the journey.  Yay!!