Wednesday 31st July 2019 - reflections on a positive month for HMHB

Posted 1:00pm

It has been a full and busy month, but also a productive one.  We have made some serious moves forward, and I have to say I am feeling excited.

Of course, the main news was our lottery proposal for seed funding for a year. Three full time and one part time salary, plus all the direct costs and overheads too. I have to say it was a cracking document, completed by Lawrence but amended and overseen by several others. It was the eighth or ninth draft that eventually was delivered online. I know they are looking at it, and it will be some months before any award, if we get one.

This was helped by significant meetings with prospective partners in Islington, Haringey, Hackney and Camden during July. All were positive and left us feeling upbeat . Naturally there are no guarantees, and over the last few years we have come to expect things not to run smoothly. But we are so prepared at the moment. This really is the culmination of years and years of work, sacrifice and effort.

Delighted with the contacts we have established in Haringey - with the Well Being Network, the DWP, and with Bridge Project - all growing in July. We have a cracking meeting already arranged for Tuesday morning in Haringey. And the beauty of that is we have our fitness session in Highbury at the same time, and Dean will be in charge. It may seem like a small success, but HMHB can have two events running at the same time. This is massive for us, considering lack of current funding and there are three of us (two of which have 40 hour a week paid jobs).

We had a cracking chat with Peabody today, one of the largest housing providers in Islington, and we are meeting up with them next Wednesday for the day, where Lazza is being introduced to prospective partners. Exciting times ahead there.

We also had a good meeting yesterday with people who can fund some work in Camden, and this is something I will be looking at over the next few days.

Of course we also managed to establish some excellent partnership possibilities in Hackney too. It really is all coming together at a great time. It does mean a lot of work, and there never seems enough hours in the day to do all of it. But that is part of building our product. Yay!!!!

August is going to be one of establishing and preparing. In the mental health field it will be fairly quiet. People are away on holidays and lots of places slow up at this time. It is therefore a great time to try and tie up all loose ends, look at getting in some funding applications, and looking forward to what we can do in the autumn months while we wait on the lottery (and keeping everything crossed for that).

Personally, for me (Lazza) it has been a good month. I am working my way nicely towards my weight targets again - and realise that I need to work just as hard in August and September. Mentally I feel in a good place - this, as you can imagine, is a very stressful project.  Thanks to everyone who may read this. Your support and friendship mean so much.  If you want, please like and follow this blog. Also please like and follow our health blog -   www.healthymindshealthybods.blogspot.com  - we try and make entries most days, and we love it.

Monday 29th July 2019 - Development and Design moving forwards

Posted 12:50pm

Like any business we need to be constantly looking forwards and adapting to change.  We have reached a sort of threshold while we wait to see how the lottery proposal develops. I need to complete the last years accounts - which I am doing in the evenings at home, reconciling the bank statements with invoices and receipts, inputting all the information onto our Sage software, and filing everything away in case people need to see it.  I will then get it to our accountant for end of year processing.

But we are also looking forward as to the work we will be doing with the various partners. There are multiple outcomes we will be looking to achieve, and therefore pour programs need to adjust accordingly. We are also always looking at new ways we can introduce interactive intervention on our five main subjects:  Mindset, Health, Fitness, Nutrition and Routine.

I also want to explore how we can up our "extras". We have our walks and fitness sessions, and I would like to try and get at least one social a month, and a couple of day trips too. There are so many free places to explore in London. We would not be able to cover fares or food, but we can walk a lot of places, and pack lunches can be made. They are challenges to overcome.

I am so excited at the possibilities for us - and the partners we can work alongside.

I will also be starting to go through that list of funders I have developed from various lists. I think there are about 25-30 different funds we can apply for. If I can do at least one a week at least, that is a start. I will also try and devote an afternoon to visiting two or three different corporate companies in London, as I still feel there is an opportunity for us there - as well as Universities and Colleges.

So a lot to get on with. Lol.

Sunday 28th July 2019 - Lottery proposal and partners

Posted 4:00pm

As people are aware, we completed and sent in our lottery proposal. And we have now heard that the North London Team are reviewing it.

With that in mind, as we have indicated we will be working with a plethora of partners, in multiple boroughs, we have today emailed everyone concerned, as I am sure there is a possibility the lottery people with contact many of them.  This is understandable. They will need to check that the information we have provided is accurate - which of course it is.

I am emailed our contacts at:
Single Homeless Project
Islington Job Centres - DWP plus disability
Islngton Clincal Commissioners
Peabody Housing in Islington
Haringey Well Being Network
Haringey Job Centres - DWP
Hackney Public Health
Hackney Job Centres - DWP plus disability (also covers Tower Hamlets and City of London)
Anchor Hanover - in Hackney
Islington Highbury Councillors
Highbury Grange Medical Practice
Better Gym - Aquattera

As you can see, our application is ambitious and exciting. So many possibilities, and it may look daunting, but we are very anxious to get started and explore the opportunity.  I also expect the Lottery to get in contact with us - and will try and get the whole team to that - including Scott if possible.  It is a lot of money - but we believe great value for what we are proposing.  Let's hope the lottery see our potential too.

Sunday 28th July 2019 - Margate was terrific

Lazza, Rosie and Marie in Margate

Posted 3:45pm

With incredible thanks to Eagle Project, HMHB headed to Margate on Friday, and had a truly wonderful time away from the hustle and bustle of London. Lazza took Rosie and Marie, with the trip financed by Eagle.

We met at Kings Cross around 10am and caught the 10:27 down South, enjoying some home made breakfast rolls of ham and cheese - they really are a great group. Lots of laughter - god only knows what the other passengers made of us. It was lovely to bond with Eagle - who do some fantastic work with people following recovery, especially from issues around alcohol.

Although the day was not as sunny as the previous day (which was probably one of the hottest days I can remember) we still had a lot of sunshine (with just the occasional sprinkle of rain). The tide was out, so the beach was enormous, and lots of sand too. There was paddling, chat, and sun bathing for some. We found fish and chips - which was delicious - and Lazza even found room for a triple ice cream tub of run and raisin, coconut and banana - I think Rosie had caramel and vanilla.

We got the 17:30 back to St Pancras, which decided to take the scenic route via Dover and Folkestone, and got back to London tired, but very happy.

It was just nice to get away for the day. It was great for the mental health, and I find this intervention inspiring for what we are doing with HMHB. It also helps building great connections with Eagle and the local community.

Wednesday 24th July 2019 - Finance timing is wonderful + Margate

Posted 4:45pm

It is a steaming hot day in London, and I am sitting indoors, in a fairly air conditioned premises, reviewing the last couple of days - so it is time for a blog entry.

Every meeting seems to be vital now - but they are going well, when they happen!!!  Sadly our Hackney meeting for tomorrow has been cancelled by them - due to the heat!! Hey ho.

But I did have a cracking meeting with Camden earlier - and that was with The Living Centre, which is a terrific community based project. They are very interested in working with us - and I am hopeful of some one off sessions in September and October to show our capabilities - funded we are hoping by Camden Giving, with whom we are chatting next week.

Our biggest issue lately has been money though. It has been tough going, with Lazza having to use his money to prop up the direct debits, which has left him severely short himself. Thankfully, the wonderful Highbury East Councillors approved out Local Initiative Funding application for £895.60, and we are getting that next week. Not only that, the truly awesome Open Destinations, who did a sponsored run raising money for three local Islington organisations, of which we were one, have asked me to come and collect a check for just over £900 next Thursday.

Both monies will be spent wisely on our Izzwalkz project, Ajani, and equipment and running costs. I have to admit the timing is great. We were starting to sweat a little - and not just because of this burning hot weather.

Finally, the terrific Eagle Project have allowed myself and two of our users, Rosie and Marie, to tag along on their trip to Margate this coming Friday. This includes our travel, a breakfast roll, and fish and chips at the end of the day. It will be lovely to get out of London, but also strengthen our relationship with this project. They do some great work, and are the friendliest of groups.

Monday 22nd July 2019 - a lot going on in the background

Posted 4:30pm

Apologies for the lack of entries over the last ten days. However, it does not mean we have dropped off the grid, or that we are not working hard.

We have a couple of meetings arranged with Camden - another borough we would like to establish ourselves in. One with an organisation that deals with mental health, and the other with an organisation that we can apply for some funding. Both will happen before the end of this month.

We are busy preparing for our 40 minute taster session with Hackney, Tower Hamlets and City of London DWP disability teams this coming Thursday at Hoxton Job Centre. It is not a lot of time to really sell ourselves. Luke, Dean and I met up this lunchtime to iron out what we are doing and how we will make the best of the time we have got. It is an exciting opportunity, and I am certain we can make an impression.

Lazza has had a great general overhaul of all our equipment and papers. It was crucial we got them all in one place, and where we can lay our hands on things when we needed them. It also enables us a chance to follow up on some old clients, as well as assess anything we may need buy.

Exciting times ahead we feel.

Wednesday 17th July 2019 - List of possible funders

Posted 12:50pm

As always, money is tight. We are hopeful of getting the Local Initiatives Money we applied for- and that should come through this month. Plus the amazing money raised by Open Destinations for us - which has come along a just the right time - we should be picking that up by the end of this week or start of next. We can finally pay our PT the money we owe him for the last three months - and thank him for his patience. And we have some marketing stuff to get too - plus normal overheads.

But we continue to look at other streams. Now we have the lottery proposal in - and we just need to wait and see how that progresses - we can start looking at other funds closer to home.

With great thanks to Voluntary Action Islington, we have managed to discover over twenty different providers who are looking for projects like ours. This can range from £500 to over £40,000 in some cases. Yes, it means gradually working my way through, looking at deadline dates and eligibility, plus more and more applications forms, but ultimately it can help us.

There does not seem to be enough hours in the days. It is already the middle of July!!!