Monday 6th September 2021: Papers off to CCG

Posted 12:10pm

Yep, that picture is how I feel sometimes.  lol

I have just emailed our finance spreadsheet and accompanying report to the CCG in regards to our request for funding so we can work with the DWP Un employment, mental health organisations in Camden and Islington, as well as keep providing our plethora of active ongoing work - exercise sessions, walks, zumba, quiz, health pack, social events, outings.  I am keeping everything crossed that dialogue can continue.  Otherwise we will have to stop.

I didn't mention in the previous posting that three of us (Georg, Jazz, and myself) took Rosie's ashes to her mother just over the border in Wales in August.  In fact, it was a lovely way for us to say goodbye, and we stopped off at the Severn Bridge too.  I miss her a lot, as do others.

 

Friday 3rd September 2021 - A terrific month for HMHB

Posted 1:05pm

I am having a quiet chuckle to myself as I read the headline from the last posting at the start of August, where I say that I have to update this blog a bit more.  Oh, the best intentions can sometimes wander off.

So, I say again, I must do better this month.  And it has to be said that August was actually a pretty good month for HMHB.  I will tell all.

Firstly, and most importantly, we had a crucial meeting on my birthday, August 16th, with the local Camden and Islington NHS Trust.  This was us pleading our case for full salary and resource funding.  Something that is becoming more and more vital.

The local Job Centre, my one is Barnsbury, has been fantastic, in that they know we want to be working with their clientele, that we have worked with astonishing feedback, with Kentish Town Job Centre in Camden, and therefore have not been hassling me about looking for work and applying.  That, though, will inevitably change the longer I go without a salary.  And in the end I will have to find a full time job and give all this up.

Thankfully, the meeting went well.  I know we are small, and I can imagine that makes us a risk with the NHS, but we have proven ourselves over and over again, and deserve our chance.  I prepared well for the meeting - which I attended alongside our PT Dean - and there was good vibes at the end.

I have today completed a report to accompany the funding spreadsheet I have finished, which determines salaries and expenses.  I can only hope that we can continue with the dialogue, to start funding at the next financial year.  Wow, that would be amazing, and the culmination of so much work.

But that is not all that was good in August.  We supplied the fourth of our health packs at the start of the month, and have just released number five (September) too.  36 pages of information, news, and encouragement over Mind-set, Nutrition, Exercise, and Health (plus quiz, games, news, classes, recipes, etc).

Our indoor and outdoor exercise sessions are getting new members, and we are even getting people referred to us from the NHS!!!   Wow!!!  To my knowledge, the exercise on referral scheme is on hold due to Covid, so we are the only organisation taking exercise referrals in Islington and Camden.  Not bad for voluntary!!

All in all, we are progressing.  Naturally, the most crucial is the funding conversation.  The be all and end all for us!!  So please cross your fingers and continue to support us. :-)