Thursday 24th November 2016 - First Izzwalkz Clissold Park

Posted 1:20pm

After years of talking, we finally started our first weekly walk in Islington.  In partnership with Highbury Grange Medical Practice, a new healthy walk will now be every Thursday morning at 11am taking in the beauty of Clissold Park, which is just about five minutes from the practice.

It is wonderful having the support of HGMP, and we have created a strong bond between us already, and they heavily support the concept of HMHB and the Ajani project.

The first walk had four people - myself, Fateha and Pooja from HPMG, and Sheila, and we had a lovely hour of walk and chat - we must have traveled between 2.5 and 3km - and we all agreed that it had gone well.

The numbers weren't really important.  This is surely something that will grow and grow, and we talked about how we can try and get more people aware of the walk for next week. I am already looking forward to next week.

It was lovely to see an idea come to fruition.

Wednesday 23rd November 2016 - preparing papers - research and design

Posted 12:15am

Yes, it has just turned into Wednesday.  I have been catching up on project work, and have managed to get a huge amount done.

There are a lot of papers to get ready for the program itself, the clients, as well as presentations. Today, I managed to research and create quite a few.

For our clients, when they start out they will have to complete several forms.  These are now ready. I will also be giving out three diaries they are to keep weekly: food, sleep, and  money.  They are all prepared.

I have a smoking questionnaire for those who smoke - we are naturally promoting anyone that smoking can be harmful to your body and life and it is best to stop.  It is their choice, but we are providing information to them, and then we will help if they do actually decide to quit.  I have prepared the paperwork for that.  I have also gathered together some startling statistics to go with the smoking information.

Our first week is on Mind-set - and I have developed my own quiz, and then help understanding the different kinds of mind-set, and how we can train ourselves to adjust to a "growth mind-set" from a "fixed mind-set".

One of the weeks we are talking about sleep - together with anxiety and stress.  I have researched and developed a sleep questionnaire, and also gathered some other materials to make it a fun way to learn.

There is also a quick exercise questionnaire.  You might wonder there are so many of these.  The purpose of the pilot is to produce measurable outcomes that we can present to prospective clients with whom we can get contracts.  We need to gather a lot of information then to then translate into recognisable outcomes.

Tuesday 22nd November 2016 - been unwell, but hopefully back on target

Posted 3:50pm

A couple of people have messaged me asking why I have not been updating blog a lot, and it's time to come clean and say I have not been well for around a week, but thankfully starting to feel a lot better and back on laptop and working on project - a bit of catching up to do - but definitely still on target.  I did say a couple of days ago I was taking a small break, but didn't want lots of messages re sympathy or anything. :-)

When you are on your own, and unwell, it can get quite lonely, and frustrating - especially when working on an exciting project like this.  But almost back to myself today, and aiming to work all the hours I can to get back on target.

Sunday 20th November 2016 - a little break frees the mind

Posted 10:40pm

I realise that I have not posted for a few days, but I needed to just step away and refresh my mind. The next few months are going to be very busy and I will not get a lot of free time - even over Christmas.

In a couple of weeks is the presentation.  And then in January we hope to start our first pilot.

On top of that, our first weekly walk starts this Thursday.

This coming week will really involve a lot of preparation.  It's funny - so many of these "starting a small business" courses focus on Business Plan, Policies, Spreadsheets etc.  I think this can give a false impression to people that once those things are in place everything will be cool.  Maybe in a few circumstances it works like that, but this is not one of them.

I need to finalise the Power Point presentation, as well as get a kind of Agenda order for the day.  I am also working on the content of each of the thirteen weeks of the program.  I am determined for none of them to be boring, and we will not be lecturing people.  I want games, quizzes, fun interaction, but also a sense of building confidence and awareness and self-belief.

I am also still working on different funding spreadsheets, depending on number of programs and number of areas.  All that would involve staff numbers, different expenses etc.  To make it work, after the pilot I think a minimum of 16 programs a year in one area would be required.  My aim is to have 24 a year per borough.  But so much pressure is on me to provide the funding for all this.

I am so lucky to have a great team behind me, and with me.

Tuesday 15th November 2016 - videos and maintenance

Posted 10:05pm
Another strange couple of days.

Yesterday attended a Recovery College course called "A Good Night's Sleep" - which I thought was excellent - and we will be covering part of it on our 13 week program.  I think some people came to it thinking it was going to give miracle answers to their own personal sleep issues - but clearly it was advertised for professionals and service users as more of a discussion of causes and effects.

I will certainly be looking to attend a further three day courses next term - and still have one more to come towards the end of this month.

Kacper has excelled himself - his work on website - which he has not had a penny for (none of us have as yet) and he is doing while he does all his other work - is terrific.  He has also now uploaded all our preliminary exercise videos onto our YouTube channel.  I must must use this as one of my incentives to do well with the weight.  We must also chat with Adam about doing some more before the end of the month (Adam, if reading this, I will be in contact) as well as how we move forward.

Today I had a quick chat with someone from the NHS Islington Patient's Group - they are attending in December.

Personally, my infestation in flat is sorted (so I have been told) - so back to better sleep - and back to gym tomorrow!!  Yay!!

Sunday 13th November 2016 - full week ahead - deadlines getting closer

Posted 10:40pm

A small bug infestation has caused me no end of problems in the last week - a lot of them being lack of sleep, and lots of biting!!!  Thought pest control had sorted, but appears not.

However, that is maybe just excuses, as could have done more last week, so this coming one will have to make up some of that time, as deadlines are getting closer and closer - and rushing up. Thinking heavily of our December presentation.

But a cracking week ahead. Tomorrow I have my second Recovery College afternoon course - this one on "sleep". Should be interesting - especially with my own issues. Tuesday I have the local NHS Patient's Group meeting, and have arranged to talk to a lady from commissioning.  Plus, in the eve I am attending some kind of meeting about a running event next year - to be honest I am not sure of the exact details at the moment.  Thursday is the New Business Show at Olympia, and chatting with Google there.  I am also going to the gym a lot more this week as getting back on my personal fitness after a couple of difficult weeks, and this includes a couple of visits with my website friend Kacper.

I also need to do more work on the finances/funding side - really have to press with that.  I continue to work on the content of the 13 week program too.  So a lot going on.

Thursday 10th November 2016 - looking at costings and finance

Posted 10:00pm

Been a difficult few days - as very little sleep due to little critters in the flat - pest control been, so hopefully things will be back to normal tomorrow.

I did have a cracking meeting with Arsenal in the Community, who said they liked what I was doing, would attend the presentation in December, and could be actively involved in what we are doing. That was another real boost.  Again, all I meet like what we have developed.

I have had to seriously start looking at several things:

looking at outcome forms, to be completed at the start of the program and the end.

now gradually developing the content for each week of the program, including hand outs and games

working on the finances and costings for each course or per year, depending on how many programs we can run in one year.

It's all quite complicated - obviously.  Nothing is straight forward!!!!

Tomorrow - no meetings - which us nice.  I can get back to the gym.  I know that in the last ten days my weight has probably gone up a bit - the lack of movement caused by exhaustion from no sleeping - but that isnt a problem, and I am looking forward to sweating again.