Tuesday 29th October 2019 - Camden Giving success

Posted 2:00pm

Delighted to announce that our application to Camden Giving has been approved. We are over the moon as this will be our first venture in Camden on its own - we did work with Single Homeless Project with clients in both Islington and Camden.

This will allow us to do ten day interventions in the borough. We will be doing some with Camden DWP Job Centres - a four session Ajani and a separate day intervention. We will also be doing some with Mind in Camden - also a four session Ajani and day intervention. We already know we will be using the Living Centre in Somers Town for the Mind in Camden. I have contacted them, and will be meeting up to talk about referrals, numbers, dates etc.

With the DWP we need to do something in the Regents Park ward, and I have contacted Nisar at Kentish Town Job Centre to ask to meet up.

This work has to be done between the 1 Jan and the 31 Mar 2020. We have invoiced for 80% of the money, which we should get towards the end of January, and we then invoice for the balance at the end of March - where we also have to provide evidence the grant money has been used appropriately.

This is also good news for us going back to the lottery for seed funding. We will wait to see how our Islington Giving application has done - we should hear in the near future.

Friday 25th October 2019 - Letter for DWP draft - special event for walkers

Posted 1:20pm

As I have led with the graphic above, I will start with the upcoming special event.

Izzwalkz is approaching its third birthday, and we are celebrating it twice. Why not!! It has been a wonderful consistent part of Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods. Virtually all ups, the occasional down, but lots of laughter and friendship.

So the birthday walk (on Thurs 14 Nov) will be great. I am repeating the tree walk we did for our 150th, but this time I have done a lot of research on the various trees, with interesting information, which will enhance everyone's knowledge. Then we will return to the centre for some drinks and nibbles, speeches and photos. We are really looking forward to it, especially as the Mayor is attending too.

Then the week after, on the Wednesday 20th November, I have managed to arrange a wonderful surprise trip. I do not want to say here, as some walkers may read this blog, and I do not want to give anything away. It does involve us travelling towards the Bank/Monument area, and will be around midday. It is also free, and that is always a good thing. It is very exciting, and I know everyone will love it. We will be taking a group of around 15.

Moving on to the DWP letter. We want to talk about the programme, especially getting it into the Job Centres, and as previously stated on this blog, we have four London borough DWP managers who all support us. I have done a first draft of the letter which I will be sending to Scott and Luke to look over and make changes - of which I am sure there will be a few.  I may ask Jeremy Corbyn's office if they will send it for us.  I will let the blog know more as things progress.

Tuesday 22nd October 2019 - DWP Possibilities and targets

Posted 2:45pm

When Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods was first created it was initially aimed at working with the unemployed, especially those newly signing on - as a preventive intervention. Things have moved on a lot since then, and we have enjoyed working with  broad spectrum of clientele, but we still would like to demonstrate how outcomes to the job centres.

Lazza has been working very hard on this front. In face he has the DWP Borough Managers of four London boroughs all interested in the project. We have Islington, Camden, Haringey and Hackney all on board. In fact, Hackney also covers Tower Hamlets and City of London areas too.

The reason why we have not, as yet, managed to run any courses is money. Nobody seems to have any,, even though their have been many announcements in the last year of how the government is providing more funding for the mental health community - especially when it comes to preventive.

So, I have now asked permission from the four DWP Managers to use their names as we approach Central Government to see just how we can work with their users. I would like to see this as a pilot, as it is a different approach, with a unique delivery, and covers a plethora of topics.  It is not about what they cannot do, but what they can do to see how this can start.

I do not know if we will get anywhere.. Maybe we are playing with fire. We do have contacts in various CCGs and Public Health too. Altogether, surely it is a direction we can go in?  How does any new project start?  We have to remain positive.

We will get a letter of at the end of this week - and copy in all the relevant people too. Let's see if something can happen. Of course all this talk of a General Election looming may count against us, but we have to try something. Time is against us too.

Tuesday 22nd October 2019 - Boxability at Highbury

Posted 12:30pm

The group this morning had a terrific fitness session.

It's every Tuesday - highbury leisure centre - from 9:30am - for one hour

We did a "boxability" ( i think we have made up that word ) meet today - and it was fabulous. It is all about using the pads and gloves, but in a way to promote better flexibility and movement. There was no contact with others at all using the gloves. People think they are just used for fighting, but we definitely sweated as Dean put us through our paces.

We had some new people join. That is always a little nervous as you want them to push themselves, but you do not want them to overdo it and not come back. Dean is excellent at getting the right balance, and the effort was tremendous.

It is great to see this event starting to grow. A couple of the ladies took flyers to give out to others, and I really hope we can reach our first double figure numbers soon.  The fact that Better Gym support us is fundamental to our success. Being able to use the studio, and all the equipment within, is such a wonderful gesture.

Monday 21st October 2019 - Renewed Energy

Posted 12:35pm

I enhanced the picture for this blog entry, as I really wanted to get the message across. Just getting out and doing exercise (movement and flexibility) can drastically alter your mindset for the day - and therefore directly affect decision making.

I can say this has helped HMHB on many occasions. We get good and bad news over times, and as recent blog entries have indicated,, times have been tough.  Thank fully we can head to the gym, or just outdoors, and do some exercise - boosting hormone production that naturally lifts us.

I went to the gym yesterday with our wonderful Rosie, who is so inspiring.. She has struggled lately as well, but came out with some wonderful words of wisdom about attitude and effort. We managed an hour at Pancras Gym and it was a great boost.

Then this morning I met up with Marie, for the first time in around 5/6 weeks. She has also gone through a rough patch, but is determined to push on.

I think Autumn months can be tough. We finish with the lovely summer heat, and realise we are not heading towards dark months, wet weather and cold winds. It is natural to shrink back.

But I am glad to say that I feel the mental slump I have recently been experiencing is dissipating quickly. I really hope we can push on now with just over two months left in this decade.

Friday 18th October 2019 - Simple contact can boost mental health

Posted 1:55pm

It is ironic. I finished a blog posting just around an hour ago about mental health, and how it can be a struggle for us all. But we need to keep looking forward, and challenge ourselves.

Then out the blue come a couple of email contacts that put a smile on the face, and really lift our spirits.  It is amazing how good news can totally change your mindset and attitude. From frustration to possibilities.

We have had three such contacts. The first may seem like a negative, but I think we can turn it into an even bigger positive. We have our Ajani session in Kensington and Chelsea with Peabody on Monday, but we have had to postpone for a month.. For financial reasons we have not been able to produce flyers as yet, although I have been told we will be getting our invoice paid this week. So we have arranged to deliver flyers on Wen 30th Oct, for an event on 18 November, and we have added the 9 December as our second date. This will enable us to build numbers, and therefore can be better for us. An extra month will not be the end of the world, and we are anxious to show Peabody we can be part of their mental health delivery in London.

We have had contact from Camden DWP.  We already have the backing of Islington DWP, Haringey DWP, and Hackney DWP - which also covers Tower Hamlets. With Camden, this would give us five London Boroughs that wish us to be involved with their Job Centres. And this gives us incredible ammunition to approach central government.  I will be arranging to meet Camden next week - well trying anyway.

We have also had contact with a Mental Health Project Manager at NHS City and Hackney CCG, and I have arranged a telephone meeting with them for next Wednesday.  This can be very beneficial.

All this in the last hour. It totally changes the outlook for the rest of this day and the weekend. The change in mind-set is incredible. Instead of feeling like a cloud on me, it feels like we are getting somewhere.

yay!!!

Friday 18th October 2019 - How "what's the point?" can be overwhelming

Posted 1:00pm

Good old Snoopy. Getting to the crux of life. But it is something we do need to answer.

I have to be honest. I was chatting to one of our wonderful users, Rosie, this morning, as we finished the exercise/walk on Highbury Fields. I, frustratingly, am still fighting the flab. It seems a constant battle - which should be easy.  Anyway, we were talking abou the last few weeks. She has struggled too.

For HMHB, ever since we heard back negatively from the lottery (although we are looking to put another application in) it has felt like we are just banging our heads against a brick wall. For around six weeks it has felt like a huge "what's the point?". All this effort, all the meetings, all the paperwork, all the preparation, and for what?

I would also add that my own health - the knees, hernia, tiredness, and my complete failure on my weight loss, all combined, has not helped (but I will overcome, this is just a blip, and I am determined to regain the energy, belief, and focus.

This can be for anyone - whether employed or out of work, young or old, male or female, iin good mental health or suffering with issues, even if fit or unfit. It comes down to that fighting mentality, the Growth Mind-set, the challenge of life.

We, at HMHB, need to put aside the disappointment and look at the positives - of which there are many. We do have ideas, but time is beginning to work against us. We need to make bold decisions and push forward.

That "What's the Point?" attitude will get us nowhere. It is so easy to feel it. However, it can be overcome. I am sorry if this has been a bit personal. I just wanted to show that we all are continually trying to make something of our lives. We all need hope and targets, even if they can feel out of our reach. The only way for anything to happen, and there are no guarantees in life, is to step out into the unknown, push forward, get your voice heard, and hope that things click into place.

And that goes for everyone. All of you. Don't give up!!!

Thursday 17th October 2019 - Big Decisions - plus Tuesday success

Highbury 15th Oct

Posted 2:10pm

Let's start with Tuesday gym session - where we managed to get 8 people - the most for a midweek session so far. New people and old friends returning. Good old Dean (saluting at the back) ran an excellent session, which pushed us to our limits, but also took into account the frailty of some of our contingent.

Luke, Dean and I then went over next Monday's Ajani day in Kensington and Chelsea, and it promises to be the most interactive and fun yet. Games galore, but also ensuring we get over our message on mental health.  I am so happy to have the guys stick with HMHB, especially as so much time is passing.

We have some crucial decisions ahead, especially with funding. We met again with Camden Living Centre, just going over details if we are successful with the small bid with them. But we feel a strategy should be approaching central government. It is a good option, and if we do it right at least we might get to chat.  Time is going too fast. We need action now.

Monday 14th October 2019 - Looking after yourself: Health blog uppdate

Posted 3:10pm

It is very easy to get caught up trying to please other people, so much so it is actually detrimental to your own physical and mental health.  In the same way, you can immerse yourself into a situation that you actually self-destruct.

It is very important to ensure you are at your peak.  There is a saying: "You cannot pour from an empty cup. Fill up and take care of yourself first."

I (Lazza) had to see a knee specialist last week, who recommended some fantastic physio exercises for hs pain. But he also questioned my overall health and routine, including diet.

It is ironic that Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods is all about making better choices, and yet I have allowed the stress of project and health to get back into bad habits - which is so easy to do. He did not exactly tell me off, but definitely pointed out that I needed to improve.  Great advice of course - but only if I do change my actions - which I am. Weight again has come back.

We all need to maintain the healthy lifestyle. I have more energy when I exercise more, eat better, and keep a better routine. It is basic, but so easy to fall away from. It isn''t a quick fix, but a lifestyle change for the rest of my days.

I also have noted that I have not added to our Health Blog for one whole month. I enjoy looking out for stories and research. There is so much around. We all should be able to get the information and then make our own minds up to how we use it. I will get back to adding stories this week.
Please do check it out though - follow it, share it. We would love more followers. The address is:

www.healthymindshealthybods.blogspot.com

Friday 11th October 2019 - Izzwalkz upcoming 3rd birthday

Posted 2:45pm

As we have just had our 151st walk, mathematics (for those who can calculate these things) would tell you we are approaching our third birthday.  We at HMHB want it to be a real celebration.

We have therefore sent out a lot of invites to various organisations and people. Delighted to say that the Islington Mayor will be attending. This will be the third year on the trot this has happened. Both Una (year one) and David (year two) both said they enjoyed the event very much. We are hopeful for a hattrick of praise.

We have also invited the local paper to come down, do a little write up, take some pics, and give us some more publicity. The more the merrier.

But we have also invited many local organisations - such as Mind, Age UK, etc - to pop along and enjoy the walk. Hopefully some will come. It would be great to have a big photo of lots of walkers to attend.

We will also, in the next couple of weeks, be doing some video feedback with walkers and hopefully get those online. We have not actually updated the webpage for ages, and it would be terrific to be able to get comments and feedback from walkers on just why people come back again and again to walk with us. And we know that some people are going through, or have experienced, some awful personal health problems.

I feel so privileged to have started this. And I pray that this birthday is not the last. It is all down to funding now.  :-)