Sunday 16th October 2016 - videos, plus big week

Posted 9:30pm

Massive thanks to Adam - as we have organised to visit him next Monday (24th) and film the first batch of videos for the Youtube channel and the website - fitness etc.  Looking forward to that very much.  More news of that when it happens - but I have spoken to a lot of people about our plans and they like the sound of what we propose.  Now it is a question of doing them right!!!

I have plans for many more videos, bespoke for the project.  It is exciting.

A big week ahead - with a lot of work to produce.

Several meetings booked:

Highbury Grange Health Centre

Disability Action Islington

Voluntary Action Islington

Business in the Community

I have quite a fun meeting on Wednesday morning too - which I will explain on the day.

I am sitting for my elderly friend for two afternoons - which will give me a chance to type a lot up.

I would like to have produced most of the program by the end of the week - so a lot of research, printing and forming of ideas to come.

Plus I want to nail down the paperwork we give to the clients.  It's a lot of fun.

Friday 14th October 2016 - more progress

Posted 3:50pm

This morning I met with Change Grow Live, based in Seven Sisters Road just off Holloway Road. They keen on the project, and I have invited them to attend the day event with SHP on the 6 December, with a view to discuss starting a program with them in February 2017.

They like the concept, as does everyone I ever talk to, but money could be a sticking point.  I would need to discuss this further.  It always boils down to money!!!!

Adam sent me through a link to a company called Tribe:  "Our journey has inspired TRIBE: we decided to make natural foods to prepare other people for tough journeys." is the quote from their website.

Thyey organise runs and events - obviously marketing their products at same time - and I have booked up for a couple of events (free) including a run/exercise thing on the 25 October.  Should be fun.

I abandoned the CRM system I was using - it was not what I was looking for, and then discovered how to use Microsoft Access - which build just the contacts database I require - so re-entering all my contacts on there.  It is simpler, and easy to make searches.

Tomorrow I am hooking up with my website friend, and want to pin that down soon - as all then we would need to add are the video stuff and pictures.  I am also hard at work on the fundamentals of the program, as well as other papers.  Next week is full of meetings - and on two days I am sitting for my elderly friend.

Thursday 13th October 2016 - small SHP grant approved £200

Posted 2:40pm

Delighted to get the news today that the small grant applied for by SHP for me, on my behalf,has been approved.  In fact, when SHP rang me they said the funders were excited to hear about the project and wanted to get developments.  Nice!!!!  :-)

So this means that we can get the digital video camera - fantastic news.  This can help with providing the films for Youtub channel, as well as recording progress as we go, feedback, and various events. Really excited to get this backing.

I can also get the logos for Ajani and Izzwalkz - I have got them done online, saved.  So it is just a case of getting on and ordering them, and using them.  Really pleased with that.

Finally, I can improve my home printer with a better one - which again is great timing.  It will be nice to update my current one, which has served me well for quite a few years, but this one will be wireless and quicker and better.

Tuesday 11th October 2016 - meetings galore - personal fitness

Posted 11:10pm

A late entry today.  But that's because it was a long day, and then there was football on the television, with England playing out a draw with Slovenia in the football (they could easily have lost).

Good meeting with Scott today.  I am busy working on the 13 week programme and its content, and have been developing the paperwork we intend to give to the clients:  this includes a Food Diary (for nutrition reasons), a Money Diary (for budgeting reasons), and evidence booklet - this showing what can happen if they allow themselves to fall into the unemployment rut.  We will also be giving them a fitness booklet (still working on that).

Lots of meetings are now organised, and by the end of the next three weeks we really should have a solid idea of where we stand, especially what we will be doing in the next six months.  I want to see it grow, naturally, but that is very much around contracts and money - i need a salary, and I need to pay at least two other people a part-time salary.  It's a headache - but a nice one.

Personally, I am doing really well.  I was very happy with my first two weeks.  Weight wise - first week I lost 1.4kgs - and last week I lost 1.2kgs.  Overall that's a great start - but I have had them before,  This time is so different.  I thought that on several occasions, but this time, with the videos and the project, it is all coming together.  I feel energised, positive, focused, but most of all I have deadlines and actually know the program will start.  Yes, I would like some money - I want a life like anyone else - I haven't had a holiday for ages and ages, or a nice big shop, or a splurge - but if I continue to believe and work hard, it will come. 

Monday 10th October 2016 - big week ahead - personal success

Posted 8:30pm

I did not post over the weekend - not because I was not actually doing anything, but admittedly I did not do much.  Saturday, Kacper my young website whizz, came round and we did a bit on the website. It is gradually coming along.

I also have been busy completing forms;

• I totally redesigned the Client Information form - I had completed the first using a lot of cut and paste from other sites, but realised I wanted to have my own look and design.
• I also did the same for the Diversities and Equalities form - it just did not look right by cutting and pasting - but I am very happy with the new designs
• I typed up a Non Disclosure form - this for the companies we will be working with - protecting my Intellectual Property - stop them saying that they like the idea, but wont do it - and then go and do it themselves (Family Mosaic have sort of done this - I should have prepared myself before)
• I am also preparing a two/three page letter to send to Theresa May - I originally met with the Conservative Policy Team a few years ago, and they were so impressed they passed it then to Theresa May when she was at the Department of Work and Pensions - and she wrote back asking to be kept informed - and then she moved to a different department.  I am hoping to meet the policy team again.  Can't hurt to write.

I met with a lovely lady who is one of the managers at Clissold Park today, and they happy for me to use the park for walks and other activities.

I am now working on papers for a meeting with Scott tomorrow - there is a lot to prepare by the end of this week if I want to meet deadlines.

Friday 7th October 2016 - brainwaves

Posted 12:55pm

It is funny how things develop sometimes.  For something like this project, which has developed over several years, and has changed over time, this is because of different conversations I have had and various people I have met over time.

The programme itself, I know how I want to deliver it, but was stuck on various pieces of concept and how to actually put it over in a way that is fun, but also easy to understand.  And then last night I had a brainwave.  It was almost like I was putting a jigsaw together and suddenly saw the pattern and how to put it together.  So this weekend is going to be very busy.

Adam has come up with a couple of good ideas with the fitness - and I am looking forward to spending a day with him later this month hopefully.

The days are speeding by.  I have been hoping for ages to get this started and have deadlines - and now they are here they are approaching very fast.  

Thursday 6th October 2016 - exciting developments and meetings

Posted 11:50am

When setting something up like this, you know you are going to be contacting a lot of people and trying to arrange a lot of meetings.  There will also be a great deal of following up on emails and texts.

Yesterday I did a lot of chasing - and it has paid off handsomely.  Some terrific meetings have been organised.

Disability Action Islington and I will be hooking up on Monday week on the 17th October.

Change Grow Live have arranged a meeting for next Friday - 14th October.

I have spoken with the commissioning board for Islington NHS, and requested a meeting with them.

This afternoon I am meeting the "Assistant Public Health Strategist for Camden and Islington Public Health Team".

On Monday I am chatting with the manager for Clissold Park re the walks.

More than ever we need to work on several areas that will have to be ready for the first week of November.

• The programme will have to be detailed down in writing
• The website will have to be live
• At least 10 of the videos will have to be on Youtube
• All paperwork to be handed out will need to be correct
• We need to have a serious look at all funding opportunities
• We need to be focused on how we will produce the outcome figures

It's okay being without a salary at the start - but it is important to make this self sustainable as quickly as possible, as well as make sure all HMHB parties are paid properly.  It will naturally take a while to get established, but if we work hard, and produce the significant outcomes that I know this project can provide, we should be be able to earn enough not to worry.