Thursday 31st January 2019 - Ajani courses

Posted 3:10pm

Hackney

After the frustration of last year,, where we had programmes organised and then, for various reasons, they fell through, it appears we are making progress at the moment - albeit offering for free.

We start two in Hackney in February - one on Tues 19th and one on Thurs 21st.  They are in different parts of the borough - the first close to Homerton station, the second near to Newington Green. Both offer exciting opportunities, as it is an older group, and therefore different dynamics. And if we can get these working with good outcomes, then there is the chance to do fee paying courses elsewhere, so we have to impress.

Both will be four sessions, and we will have to adapt for our clientele,, but that is all part of offering a fluid programme. Lazza, Luke and Dean are all going to be delivering these courses, and they are already getting together to ensure they go smoothly. These will be the first Hackney courses.

Haringey

We met with the Haringey Well-being Network before Christmans, and they reacted well to our approach and expressed interest in doing a couple of programmes. We have recontacted and would like to do at least one to finish before the end of March, but are waiting back to chat further and get things organised. This will be the first proper Haringey courses following the disappointment with the communication with Haringey Mind. We are determined to make these work.

Islington

We have two opportunities here.

Firstly, we are speaking with Peabody about doing a free Ajani with their service users as a taster of our delivery, and even offered a half day quick taster to their staff. We are just waiting back to have a good meeting with them on this.

Secondly, we have also approached Better Lives in Grays Inn Rd, and again are waiting back for a meeting. We had a brief chat with them where they expressed interest.

All in all, we are trying our hardest to show that we have a great concept, a unique delivery, and can produce great outcomes.

Thursday 31st January 2019 - New funding stream partnerships?

Posted 2:50pm

First of a three entries on the blog today - as a lot of news to convey.  Bur, firstly, this month seems to have gone very quickly.  It's scary to be honest. But we have made big strides.

I have already mentioned this in this blog, but there is more news. There is a new fund released by the Mayor of London, and it focuses on improving both mental and physical health with sport and exercise. It would enable us to get full time salaries for a year, continue to look for sustainable funding, but also give is an opportunity to work with service users without continuing to look over our shoulders the whole time.

However, we are realistic in that we are still a new social enterprise with little actual evidence of ourselves (despite huge reams of research that shows, if we deliver responsibly, the probable significant outcomes we will achieve).  Applications in by 28th February.

With that in mind, we are looking to partner up with various organisations for the application, delving into their knowledge in resources alongside our unique delivery.

I am making meetings with the local gyms - managed by GLL through Better. If we can get use of Hihgbury Leisure, Sobell Centre, Pancras Leisure and Archway, we can offer four or five fitness sessions in the week. We will also look to expand the healthy walks to four or five a week too.  On top of that, we would like to utilise opportunities with the CCG on weight management, as well as healthy lifestyle opportunities.  We would like to be running at least two to three half day group outings a month.  We have re-approached Peabody, with whom we have a funding application pending, to see if we can team up with them on this too - no expense to them, but huge possible outcomes.  It's win win all round.  Just waiting to hear back on meetings now.

Finally, it would be great to be able to run one or two general get togethers a month, for tea/coffee and chat, plus bingo, quiz, and a large group fitness session for all ages and abilities.

It is an exciting opportunity to bring community together, as well as a chance for us to establish ourselves. The money would pay full time salaries for Lazza and Luke, a part time for PT, as well as running costs. A lot of work to get on with in the next 28 days!!!!!

Tuesday 29th January 2019 - New Video - 300 second on Izzwalkz

Posted 10:05pm

Here we go. Out third video - this one on Izzwalkz.

Lazza does not use cue cards, and does it all in one take. It means there are a few "umms" but HMHB likes the natural look.

Tuesday 29th January 2019 - second video on youtube - daily from now

Posted 12:40pm

We posted the second in our series of videos on Youtube last night, following the first one Sunday.

This one is "300 seconds on ... Ajani"   It describes our programme on mental health.

Tonight we will complete on one Izzwalkz - and then every day we will launch new material. Everyone has to start somewhere. It is naturally a dream to see if we can grow followers, but fundamentally it is about providing access to various information and knowledge. Although Lazza has done the first couple of videos, we intend to bring in others to participate and see where it all leads. Exciting times.

If you wish to watch the video - please go to Youtube - and type in "300 seconds on Ajani"
We would love any "likes" "comments" and especially people to follow our channel.

PT Dean and Lazza are going to renew all the exercise videos to the new series, as well as add a lot more. Lazza is hoping this will enable him to lose weight!!! 

Tuesday 29th January 2019 - Nitty gritty paperwork

Posted 12:30pm

I have met many people over the years, anxious to get funding for various projects, but with very little clue of the general paperwork involved behind the scenes.

When we got the small funding last year that allowed us to pay salary for two months, HMHB found a terrific local accountant to ensure we registered with PAYE correctly, and the HMRC. We paid our tax and national insurance correctly.

Another financial matter centres around pensions. Regulations are now ion p-lace that all employers should have automatic enrolment, and there needs to be a declaration of compliance. I have just dealt with that myself. It's the small matters like this that many entrepeneurs miss out, but can lead to fines.

Monday 28th January 2018 - New Blog launched

new blog launched

www.healthymindshealthybods.blogspot.com

Posted 3:15pm

Today we launch our new blog.  It is based on providing information and knowledge on our core values around mindset, health, fitness, nutrition and routine - focusing on university research, NHS news, and generally anything that we think is quite interesting.

Every day there appears to be another study released that provides information on exercise and how it affects your lifestyle: various foods and drinks that we should or shouldn't be avoiding; etc.

So we have decided to put it in one place, and add our own HMHB thoughts too. We hope people will follow it, and enjoy.

It is

www.healthymindshealthybods.blogspot.com

Sunday 27th January 2019: 300 seconds on ... Healthy Minds Healthy Bods.

I have today published our first "300 seconds on ...." video on Youtube


I chose, as the subject, Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods

It was done with no prompt cards, and I decided also all in one take.

We chose "300 seconds", and not five minutes, as there are a lot of videos on Youtube that already start with that title, but we found none that started with 300 seconds. Therefore we hope to stand out and make all future videos start with the same.

Personally I was very pleased with myself.  I have never done anything like this before, and being quite a technophobe am pleased with the outcome.  More videos will follow.

Yay!!!