Thursday 30th April 2020 - MH Packs, Funding, and April as a whole

Posted 2:15pm

Well, that is a month that none of us have ever experienced in our lives before. A month of upheaval, social distancing, uneasiness, and general confusion.  A time when many in our country and around the world have lost lives or loved ones. And we are all wondering what normality will be when we manage to try and resume our lives. Things will naturally change. It is up to us to adapt, challenge ourselves and be proactive.

Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods has had to do that. All our work before involved interaction with users, from our Ajani courses to our walks and fitness sessions, and that of course has all come to a stop. But we were anxious to be part of the mental health intervention.

Many organisations, us included, have gone online. And we have other plans in place around that too which we are launching next week. But we also felt it important to be offering ongoing help to people who are not necessarily on the internet, either because they do not have wifi, or maybe elderly, or because they struggle with using the web. Also, there is a lot around motivation, and if you are going through stress, anxiety or depression, it is much better to have something in your hand than on a screen.

Lazza with Issue One

So we have launched weekly Mental Health Packs to encourage, motivate and inspire people to keep focusing on their physical , mental and emotional health. The first came out on the 19th April, followed by the second a week later on the 26th. And we are greatly encouraged. Haringey Well Being Network have said it is a "great resource" and have put in on their website, as have Help On You Doorstep.  Our councillor Sue has sent them to Highbury Mutual Aid and we will continue doing that too.  Most importantly, we thank Clissold Park for week one, and Islington Council for week 2, who printed off copies that we have delivered and we can post out..

I am going to mention funding. We need a sponsor to help us print, and post to people. This is something really important, and we do not know any other organisation doing this. If anyone knows a business or company that would like to help us, please contact.  We re applying for various funds, but so are many others, and we have been turned down for the first three we applied to.

Thanks everyone for still following us.  Lazza is working hard on the third issue at the moment - first seven pages are complete.  Hugs everyone.