Wednesday 9th November 2016 - Networking and personal

Posted 2:40pm

Sitting in the cafe in the KPMG building in Canary Wharf.  This area is terrific - and just thinking what it was like here around 20 years ago is quite sobering.  More and more tall buildings going up - they are even reclaiming land from the Thames to build on.  But it goes to show what you can achieve from one small idea for the initial building, to what it is now.

Had some good news in that we are meeting Arsenal in the Community tomorrow - if they can be involved in some way that would be terrific.  But I imagine, like funders, they get a lot of approaches and can only deal with so many, so if nothing comes from it this time then that is fine.

Attending a network event this evening, being run by the London Small Business Centre, in East London - near to All Saints Docklands Light Railway Station.  I used to go to a lot of these when I first started with this concept a few years ago - in fact I must have participated in at least 50 over all the time.  They can be useful, and then again sometimes you get nothing from them.  I have not actually been to one for around three years, but thought it was about time.  It was also free, always a nice gesture.  Not exactly sure what the topic is, as there is normally some kind of talk involved.  I will certainly be looking to attend quite a few more over the next few months.

On a personal note, because of sleep issues, I know I have not done as well over the last seven/nine days.  A sudden sit back and think made me realise that I had started finding excuses not to do exercise and eat better, so that is changing from today.  I have started developing good habits - regularly attending gym, and avoiding various shop aisles which can lead to temptation - but need to balance project, life, and social better - again all part of the Ajani project.

Tuesday 8th November 2016 - first college session - plus Arsenal

Posted 11:30pm

Got no sleep last night due to bed bugs - never had them before - contacted Housing Association, and waiting to hear. But it meant no energy for gym earlier - not sure how tonight is going to go.

But I managed to stay awake this afternoon whilst attending a Recovery College session on "Understanding Anxiety".  Was a very interesting two and a half hours - it's funny how quick the time goes - our own thirteen week course will be two and a half/three hour sessions per week.

There was a good mix of attendees, and picked up a couple of pointers, particularly when it comes to "mindset" - something we are being very focused on.

Everyone we asked to attend the December presentation has now replied - and only a couple are not able to come - one of which is sending someone else - and in fact we have two new attendees too - so I am really looking forward to it.

I am also hoping that Arsenal in the Community will attend.  If we can get them involved, especially as we are looking for some small funds to help with the pilot if possible, that would be a real bonus. I had been trying to contact for a while - but understand they must get inundated with emails and requests. But today I got a reply, and am setting up a meeting - so very positive.

It's the same with funders I guess.  They get a huge number of requests, for a limited amount of money and, although disappointing if we miss out, I totally respect the fact that they can only choose a certain number of projects to fund.  I am just grateful to anyone who even considers out project, as at least we know we are doing something right.

Tomorrow is a long day - and will update blog on the details then.  Still a huge amount of work to do, but I feel we are slowly getting there.

Monday 7th November 2016 - more good news - second post of day

Posted 4:20pm

Had a bit of a gym session - and now doing some more project work - and this day just keeps on giving, so wanted to put stuff down while I am feeling good.

Firstly, I have a couple more confirmations for the December presentation - one of which is Circle Housing, which is terrific.  I would very much like to get in with them.  They are one of the biggest Housing Associations around, and I know they have a budget for their employment team, and therefore contracts would hopefully be easier to talk about with them.  The other organisation coming is the Red Cross themselves - I thought it prudent to ask them after their fantastic gesture earlier (in first blog entry today).

I also have signed up for a Network evening event with the London Small Business people.  When I was first developing this concept, I went to quite a few events.  They can be a mish/mash - but also on occasions prove invaluable.  It's nice to get out and about though.

This week is a busy one.  Six things in the diary already, and who knows what else will crop up.  Oh, and after last week being a bit difficult due to three issues (two personal away from the project), I just did two letters dealing with those issues.  Previous, I would probably have ummed and aahhed and not done anything for over a month or two.  This time, I just got it done.  Feeling good about things again.

Monday 7th November 2016 - upbeat with good news

Posted 1:00pm
An afternoon posting as I am working on various project stuff.
After a tough week last week, it was good to start off with a few pieces of good news.

Earlier I had a good chat with the Operations Manager for Islington Central Medical Centre - Aniko Szulyovszky.  Another person who got the project immediately and could see the benefits.  We are teaming up with Highbury Grange Medical Practice for the Clissold Park walk starting later this month, and I wanted to discuss the opportunity of joining up with ICMC for a walk in Highbury Fields.  They seemed interested and she said she would discuss this with the doctors at their meeting later this week.  Terrific stuff.

I also received the flyers for the first walk in Clissold Park.  I dropped some off at the surgery, and will be dropping other off around the area.  I will also be printing up a couple of posters, and contacting the local paper too.  We start on Thursday 24th November at 11am.

Finally, I had approached the Red Cross, as I felt it important to have an up to date First Aid certificate if I am dealing with members of public, but without money currently I pleaded poverty and asked if they had charity places on their courses.  I explained that I would be doing a pilot program with SHP.  They called me back this morning and, ironically, they train the SHP staff so knew the organisation.  And the Red Cross made me a fantastic offer.  Once we know when the program is running, they will do a short 2-3 hour course, not only for myself and Luke - as members of staff - but also for the people on the course too.  They would end up with a certificate, and it will be something they can put on CVs too.  A wonderful gesture.

This has all really lifted me up.  I admit I was down last week, as previous blog entry said but, again, just being proactive and being positive has paid dividends.

Sunday 6th November 2016 - tough week over

Posted 11:15pm
That was a tough week.
Last weekend, in one day, had three pieces of news that set me back a little - project was one (Cripplegate) and personal a couple.  It just stayed on my mind a bit during the week.
I have the ongoing finance issue too - which is a nightmare.  This is not only project, but also personal wise - bills and Christmas coming up.

Anyway, I also met my daughter on Friday and ate far too much, and far too many bad things - and I will definitely be heavier tomorrow - maybe even a couple of kgs - which is disappointing.

But that is just life - I need to get back into things.  I have done just that today.  I opened up and installed the new printer (pic above), and I also got out the camera (other pic).  So that is a bit of a lift.
I followed up on quite a few emails and contacts to do with the 6 December meeting.
I have also been working on stuff for the website that Kacper has been asking me for for a little while - sorry mate.  Will finish that tomorrow and send to him - and seeing him at the gym on Tuesday to discuss it all.

Also, been updating the presentation a bit. I think I just need to know that at some stage finance is going to come. I need a life!!!!

Thursday 3rd November 2016 - more good meetings

Posted 9:45pm

Yesterday I attended a team leader meeting at SHP to present the project to them.  I brought along a gentleman called Luke, who I hope will end up delivering the program with me, to eventually end up doing them independently - that is if we can get the funds and the outcomes.  The dream is to be doing at least 24 a year in each borough, and obviously in several boroughs and beyond.

The program was really well received by all the people at the team leader meeting - and they will be gathering service users for the first program to start in January.

It was interesting doing a 15 minute pitch, and I was told I came over very well - so that's a good start.

Today I had a meeting with someone from Public Health Islington - they have started an interactive app for issues like smoking, alcohol, substances, sexual health.  I wanted to find a way to join in with the Council, and this looked ideal, as well as join up with Public Health.  They, also, were very enthusiastic, and it looks good going to the future.  Again, it appears our major stumbling block at the moment is serious funding.

I have been doing more work on the Power Point presentation we will be giving on the 6 December, and incorporated many adjustments passed to me by Adam, which were much better wording than some of mine.  I did not do all changes, as I have reasons for some of the stuff on there obviously. But I am so happy that people are giving input, which can be valuable.

Meeting my daughter tomorrow night - which will be a welcome break to the fun/stress of all this.

Tuesday 1st November 2016 - spirits lifted - plus personal

Posted 2:00pm

After the weekend disappointment of the Cripplegate funding decision, there is no point in allowing that to affect us.  Yes, it could have gone our way, and would have been a terrific help, but there are lots of avenues to explore, and meetings to have.  Need to stay positive.

I was lifted on a personal note by getting back on track to my own weight target.  Yesterday I was down to 85.3kgs - so a loss of 3.2kgs in 5 weeks (two of those weeks negated each other) so a half a stone loss is pretty pleasing.  I also noted that I had to be more disciplined shopping wise - which is not hard at the moment due to my own dire financial income.  Every cloud eh?

I was also cheered by Kacper - website supremo - and that is coming along really well.  Meeting him tonight to go over changes.  But his ideas are looking nice.  That again is a positive.  Thanks mate!!

Had a provisional meeting today with SHP and I am attending their Team Leader meeting tomorrow and presenting for 15 minutes.  I think I can do this well enough.

Altogether, keeping busy.  Out and about all the time.  It's the adage I am trying to put over to people with the project - stay positive through adversity, always see hope not despair, be active, get out of the flat//house, and push yourself to achieve.