Monday 21st January 2019 - "Business of the Week" Islington Gazette

Posted 2:40pm

Wow!!!!!!!

In this week's issue, following a long telephone interview with Lazza, Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods has been featured as "Business Of The Week". We are so proud and humbled. All the hard work and effort seems to have paid off, and it is great to be recognised in such a way.

Here is a link to the story.

https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/health/hmhb-free-fitness-classes-combat-mental-health-issues-1-5857039

We have tweeted it out, placed it on our Facebook, and generally told as many people as possible. We have also contacted the BBC, hoping that we can be featured in the near future. Seed funding is clearly our biggest oncoming issue - so this could possibly open some doors.

Wednesday 16th January 2019 - walking app and step counting

Posted 5:20pm

I mentioned this last year, but I have been actively using it a lot since the turn of the year.

Walking is, naturally, a terrific exercise. Just bringing 'movement' into your daily routine can bring great benefits. There are a lot of apps, and various pieces of technology, that encourage you to walk more, including counting steps. They say we should all aim for 10,000 a day.

HMHB ;promotes walking as a terrific boost to your energy levels. It is free, outdoors, and helps control various ailments.

Last year, Luke brought the "sweatcoin" app to my attention. The logo is above. I have found that it does make me walk more. You gain "coins" for the distance you walk, and these in turn can be swapped for "treats" - although you normally have to build up over time to enjoy the better ones.

I realised that I had been getting a bit lazy, using a bus ot train when I could have walked, so hev made a determined effort to get my 10000 steps a day. I think an app like this can just make you accountable. Visual aids like this are great. But, also they are not vital or mega important. Just get out and walk more. Enjoy the fresh air.

Wednesday 16th January 2019 - hackney opportunities

Posted 5:15pm

Had a terrific meeting with the Wellbeing Development Manager of a Hackney organisation this afternoon which went very well. Total understanding of what we are about, as well as the joint outcomes we are lookking to achieve.

I have already had confirmation that they want to start two courses on the same day - Tuesday 19th February - which we are doing for free for them. A slightly different dynamic with older service users, but this should be great experience for us to learn even more about our delivery.

We have also been invited to a mini well-being day they are running at one of their premises on the 7th February. This would enable us to mix with residents of different ages and mental health issues who can benefit from our programme. It will give us a chance to network, and even provide a small taster.

Although these are free, it was mentioned that they run a huge number of estates and homes around London, and there is the opportunity to run other programmes, for which we would charge.

Another positive day!!

Tuesday 15th January 2019 - more on corporate; plus application submitted

Posted 1:30pm

Had a solid meeting with a lady called Rachel, who is part of a hopeful collaboration around corporate funding. As you know, we will be approaching big business re sponsorship - and in return ask to work with their employees, helping on physical, mental and emotional health. In fact, HMHB had hoped to already be doing this, and only illness has held us back.  We will be starting to contact by the end of this week.

We hope to collaborate with Mellow Parenting - especially they are looking at the anti-natal approach, with in house intervention. We think this could be very exciting.

It is a little tense, in that we obviously both need funding - although they are more established, are award winning, and already have great provenance.  Being fairly new, we are in a slightly less position. But ultimately, we both want to make staff happier, healthier, fitter, stronger and more aware of a healthy lifestyle.

More news to follow on that. But also letting people know we have today submitted our funding request with Peabody - fingers crossed!!

Monday 14th January 2019 - applications and meetings + gym

Posted 11:55am

Yep - I feel a little like that pic at the moment. Was just about to start on another "to-do" list, as important to get things down in writing. And we are almost half way through January already!!!!

Last night I completed the funding application form for Peabody. Sent a copy to :Luke and Scott to oversee, but generally I was very happy. I also sent a copy to the lady from Peabody, who came back with a couple of small suggestions, but she also commented that it looked quite good. This could really save our bacon for a short while, especially as we concentrate on establishing ourselves, as well as seek other funding. So keeping everything crossed. I will submit the application tonight (closing day is tomorrow) and we will wait and see!!!

I am dressed in my new suit as I have a meeting with Scott later. It felt so good to dress up. This is how I intend to be. Every day, even though seeking funding, I need to treat as if it is a work day. looking smart is part of that - and in fact, for just the mental health side of it, it breeds positive vibes.

Meeting with Scott today, Hackney tomorrow, Peabody in week, plus organising with Haringey. too. A hopeful partnership meeting on Wednesday too. Things are moving forward.

Finally, as people know, we run a free fitness session on a Saturday morning at the Sobell Centre (run by Better Islington). We have approached Pancras Leisure Centre (also a Better facility) with a view of running a midweek session there. We will wait and see.

Saturday 12th January 2019 - Suited & Booted

Posted 10:00pm

"Suited & Booted is a charity based in the City of London. Public agencies refer vulnerable, unemployed and low-income men to us, and we help them get into employment by providing suitable interview clothing donated by companies and professionals"

Lazza realised he needed to be smarter for meetings, so approached Single Homeless Project in regards to finding a suit. They referred him onto Suited and Booted.

"I was so lucky, and came away with an amazing great suit. They were really kind and patient. I also got a smart/casual outfit, three shirts, two pairs shoes, a jumper and a coat. Honestly, it was so kind and helpful".

It was also a reality check, and a reason Lazza signed up for the weight management course. The suit was a little larger than ones he had had before. But what a great incentive to really kick on.

Thanks Suited and Booted!!!

Friday 11th January 2019 - funding applications are stressful

Posted 2:15pm

In the process of completing a funding application for Peabody at the moment. Was doing last night, but forgot to save, pressed the wrong button on the keyboard and lost most of the information. Had to restart.

Needs to be in by Tuesday, but Peabody have been very helpful. I will complete it tonight and send off to my board to have a peek, as well as Peabody to look over before I submit.

These applications - and we have done a few - can be fraught with stress. We feel we tick the relevant boxes for what they want to fund, and definitely are looking at similar outcomes. We also feel we have the capabilities, strengths and responsibility to handle the funds appropriately. Ultimately, it is down to the funders to agree, and that can affect how we go about the next few months.

There are large sections on who we are, what we do, how we can help them achieve their goals, as well as our history, achievements and expertise.

It is for a total of £10,000 - and we will be applying for that amount, and I have already constructed a detailed spreadsheet showing the expenditure clearly. Of course, we may not be awarded that total, if in fact anything. It could really help us in the short run though. And possibly open doors.

Anyone who has had to apply for funding will know just how apprehensive and terrifying the whole procedure can be. However, it is just another challenge to overcome in reality.