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Owners
What it's all about
Wellness Street is a volunteer project brought to life by Helena Suarez in July 2011 and is now being directed by myself, Ruth Baker. The aim is to provide activity sessions (namely Pilates and Yoga but can accommodate other forms of gentle activity) to those in recovery from addiction, homelessness and mental health issues. It provides individuals/small groups with the opportunity to experience a fitness class led by a volunteer fitness professional.
In the past 7 months, 5 volunteer instructors have been placed in 6 different projects- I would now like to expand this by recruiting more volunteers and placing them in more projects with the long term aim of going nation wide.
What's needed to make it a reality
I now need the following to establish the reputation of Wellness Street as being a successful method of improving the quality of life for those in recovery from addiction, homelessness and mental health issues:
- a clear business plan to scale up the project
- funding
- more likes on the facebook page to support online presence without a website.
- I would also love to hear from those who may have a mental health condition who feel that they may benefit from this project- a short (anonymous) quote which can be used as part of a testimonial would help support the need for this intervention.
Comments
Great to see your idea up here. What a brilliant with so much potential to expand and develop further. From what you've said it sounds like it's been really popular and having already established it within a number of different projects will make a very strong case for getting funding. I think the quote on your picture says it all really and I can imagine these sessions are already making quite a difference to the people who attend. It's probably not just the exercise though that will help, but in the group sessions it provides an opportunity to meet with other people who may have been through something similar and in that sense creates a support network.
I've just got a few questions to gain a greater understanding of the project and how it works.
- Firstly, what's the link to your Facebook page? I'll go and like it and encourage others to do so too.
- You mention that you've got volunteer instructors based within 6 different projects. How does that work? Are they established projects being run by voluntary groups/charities and then the volunteer instructors go along to deliver the activity sessions. Or, are these open groups in specific locations that other people can go to and you advertise through people who work with people in recovery from addiction, homelessness and mental health issues. I was just wondering as Junction49 used to be part of a charity that ran a number of mental health projects and potentially might fit in quite well with what they do.
- as a social enterprise how are you generating income from the project? Do people pay to attend the activity sessions, or perhaps you run a paid lesson for any member of the public and the money made goes into running these activity sessions.
I hope you don't mind the questions, just want to get a better idea of it so that I can help further.
I used to mentor a young person with a mental health issue and this is exactly the kind of thing she would really benefit from.
In terms of funding I had never heard of AWESOME until I spotted it in your diary. I checked it out and it looks brilliant. Plus it has a very easy application form. Good luck for your application.
I've also got a couple of others links to funders that you could apply to and for more money too.
UnLtd - Level 1 Awards http://www.unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=10&PageName=level1_examples
You can apply for up to £5000 to set up your social venture. They're the foundation for social entrepreneurs and it's this kind of project that they specialise in supporting. It says on their website that the resources etc... for 2012/13 funding won't be available until May so you might have to wait a while for that. In the meantime you could always give them a ring to discuss your idea to see if it is something they would be willing to fund. From what I've heard, they quite like hearing from people in that way before they receive applications. Also, in terms of business planning help they can support you to do that too so don't worry about having a fully mapped out business plan before you apply for funding. (If you ring them you'll be able to check what they need.) I've also got some useful stuff from a training session I went to towards the end of last year around business planning that I'll email to you.
Shell LiveWIRE http://www.shell-livewire.org/
I don't know too much about this one, think it's quite new. You can apply for up to £1000 to set up your own business and get free PR too.
O2 Think Big http://www.o2thinkbig.co.uk/
This is for a smaller amount of money, where young people aged 13-25 can apply for funding to set up their own project. You get £300 when you first apply and then once you've used that money and completed that aspect of the project you can apply for a further £2500 with 'Think Bigger'. If some of your volunteers are under 25, it might be that they could apply for their own particular project to do something and then can apply for the wider part of Wellness Street to expand it. I hope that makes sense.
In terms of hearing from people who may have a mental health condition there are a few other Junction49 projects with mental health themes that you might want to check out:
http://www.junction49.co.uk/member/12207/the_mental_health_education_project/
http://www.junction49.co.uk/idea/2923/smile_you_re_not_alone/
http://www.junction49.co.uk/idea/2919/supporting_you_supporting_me/
http://www.junction49.co.uk/idea/2913/zumba_party/
http://www.junction49.co.uk/idea/2900/mind_2_help_uk/ (London based)
I'll also post about your idea on our Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Junction49/99415160533?sk=wall&filter=1 and tweet about it too to see if that will encourage people to share their stories.
I hope this all helps and I haven't bombarded you with too much information all in one go.
If you have any questions about anything just let me know.
Sarah Report Abuse
Sarah, to answer your questions in order: -
Facebook Link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Wellness-Street/184148151655159
Volunteer set up: Wellness street currently runs in line with the first point you make- I source organisations interested in having this type of class delivered and an instructor will then liaise with the contact to arrange a best day and time to run the session. At every site the class is hosted by the organisation and a key worker is often present in class either to take part or monitor. I’d be interested to know more about the charity you mention to see if there could be any links?
Social enterprise set up: This is something I’m currently looking into as the company exits on a volunteer basis only. To make it a social enterprise I would need to enter into contracts with the organisation whereby they pay the instructor for their time i.e. £20 for a 10 week course. This money would then be solely the instructors or for some to pay for their expenses, the rest reinvested into the organisation- as you can see these are things I need to look into in more detail!
Thank you for the info on funding opportunities- weekend reading for me :-) Report Abuse
This sounds like a really brilliant set up and I think building on a social enterprise model would be really interesting. If you've already got volunteer instructors who are willing to run the sessions paying them probably won't be necessary. You could use the money to cover their expenses any equipment they need to buy to cover the sessions. Any other money like you said can be put into running the organisation and expanding what you're doing into other areas. You could always run a focus group or meeting with the volunteers you have on board to gauge their opinion on what they think would work best i.e. in what direction do they envisage Wellness Street growing in the future? Would they want to be paid for the time they give? Is there anything they've noticed or feedback they've got from the organisations which would feed into future development?
This might already be stuff you've asked or are thinking about, but getting opinions from the people directly involved might be really helpful.
Thanks for the Facebook link, I'll tweet about it too and see if I can direct some organisations to your page.
The organisation I used to work for was TimeBank (www.timebank.org.uk). They run a project called Back to Life which offers practical and emotional support to young adults recovering from mental health issues through mentoring. They also run a project along similar lines but working with ex-servicemen and women. I've sent them an email with a link to your idea to see if they might be able to benefit from what you offer. I'm not sure whether it would tie in as well only because people tend to meet on an individual basis. I'll let you know what they say.
Enjoy your reading :-)
Sarah Report Abuse
Just heard about this campaign to find the social entrepreneur of the year and think it would be well worth nominating yourself for Wellness Street. You can find out more info here: http://www.communitychannel.org/thechangemakers
The winner will be featured in an episode on the Community Channel's programme, UK360 and and professional media support from The Sunday Times.
Sarah Report Abuse
Sent off my Awesome Foundation application this morning as well- fingers crossed.
Take care. Report Abuse
That's great, fingers crossed you get some funding from them.
I completely agree, what do you have to lose and you never know what might happen.
Good Luck!
Sarah Report Abuse
Hope everything is going well. I just wanted to let you know about another opportunity that has come up.
Richard Reed, co-founder of innocent Drinks, has up to £1million that he is making available to entrepreneurs with brilliant business ideas.
He wants to give the next generation of Great British entrepreneurs a helping hand in getting started.
To take part in this exciting new BBC Three TV series, you need to be over 18 and have either started a small business or have a great idea. I asked them about social entrepreneurial ideas and they said that as long as money is being made in some form then you can apply.
Here's the web link if you're interested:
https://couldyoubeyourownboss.apply.twofour.co.uk/
Sarah Report Abuse
That's really good to hear. I've also heard great things about the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation so good luck.
Also, here's another one to consider too - Awards for All http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/england/summary.html You can apply for up to £10,000. I don't think they fund existing activity, but will fund something new i.e. if you introduced it to a new area.
I also came across the Right Here Project the other day which is about providing young people with mental health support. You can sign up to their newsletter to be kept informed about different things that are going on, so might be interesting from a knowledge/support point of view: http://www.right-here.org.uk/
Best of luck for the funding applications - I think you have a very strong offering and would be very well placed to get some funding!
Sarah Report Abuse
How's everything going? Sorry I've got yet another opportunity that I've just stumbled across.
It's an opportunity from something called the Youth Funding Network. Here's the blurb as it pretty much explains it all.
CALLING ALL WORLD-CHANGING PROJECTS!
If you run an amazing social change project or know someone who does, why not nominate it for YTFN's May event? Applications are due March 28th. YTFN are looking for 3 inspiring & diverse projects that could make great use of around £1,000 and loves new volunteers. Email youthtfn@gmail.com for an application form. FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/ytfnlondon and FB event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/393719893973099/
I don't think there's any set criteria but they're looking for 3 great projects that make a difference and use volunteers and would benefit from around £1000.
If you're interested just contact them for more details.
Sarah
P.S. I featured your project on our homepage in a blog. If you have a problem with it at all, let me know and I can take it down. Report Abuse
I was selected to pitch to the Awesome Foundation last week- I lost by 1 vote but the support and experience was absolutely amazing. Now just looking into other funding streams so do keep them coming.
Thanks again and hope you're well. Report Abuse
Best of luck
Sarah Report Abuse
My names Debbie and i am the owner of Diamond Therapy - a skincare company.
I very much like the sound of your idea; I would love to enter volunteering by creating an environment which fulfils young women with enpowerment with also thinking they are beautiful.
I would like to hold small group sessions were we can make some beauty products and use them for example face masks and then use them whilst talking to the ladies who attend.
I hope very much through these group sessions I could provide a safe haven for some ladies.
Please contact e at info@diamondtherapy.net if you are interested in brainstorming.
Thanks! Report Abuse
Also (and you may know of this already) but this might be useful to others: team london is a government programme involving volunteers.
I'm going to contact a company called Unltd re funding too.
Thanks as ever for all your helpful links. Report Abuse
Really sorry but I have to say that I don't know a great deal about social investment bonds. If you're talking to UnLtd they may be better placed to speak to you about going down that particular route.
Thanks about Team London, I do indeed know about that. They're great at retweeting stuff. Have you advertised for volunteers on their website?
If you're looking for volunteers aged 14-25, you can always post as an opportunity for free on www.vinspired.com. I sit next to the person who manages the opportunities and she loves your idea.
Sarah Report Abuse
I thought you would know about team london-I've tried to post the opportunity but it wouldn't load- perhaps it was a technical glitch but am waiting for them to get back to me.
Thank you for the reminder about Vinspired- I've being going through specific channels for yoga and pilates instructors but as the project grows this is certainly something I will come back to (and its lovely to hear of the support from your colleague!).
Speak soon. Report Abuse
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FYI re YFN- you can only apply to the youth funding network if you have a champion i.e. someone who has attended an event with them in the past :-( I'm finding out how someone can become this so if you like I can let you know for future applicants.
Have a good day. Report Abuse
Have a good day too.
Sarah Report Abuse
I hope you're well and had a great Easter. Just wanted to thank you for pointing me in the direction of O2 Think Big... I have just received £300 for my project!!
http://www.o2thinkbig.co.uk/Projects/Project-Home/?clubId=1969&publicView=true (hope it's ok to share this link with you!?)
Have a great day.
Ruth Report Abuse
I'm very well thank you and had a great Easter with too much chocolate! That is excellent news and of course it's ok to share the link. So pleased to hear you got funding, hopefully this will be the start of even more funding coming in.
I took a look at your milestones and if you can get pro bono training for your instructors that will be really valuable, not only for the project but as a development opportunity for the volunteers themselves.
You'll have to let me know how it all goes! I hope everything is well with you too.
Sarah Report Abuse
I know you were looking into UnLtd funding and may already be in touch with them, but if you not I just came across a new funding stream they're running called UnLtd Star People. It's for projects running in specific areas which I believe your project covers already. They have different tiers you can apply to, but you could probably apply for the 'Do It' Awards for up to £5000 considering that the project is already established. http://unltd.org.uk/template.php?ID=221&PageName=unltdstarpeople
UnLtd are really good at pointing people in the right direction of which fund is best for you to apply to so you can always have a chat with them. The good thing is they don't mind if you're getting funding in at the same time from other sources.
Sarah Report Abuse
Thanks for this- I've been looking into their options but hadnt yet come across this!
This may be of interest to others if you hadnt heard of yet: www.richmondsden.co.uk - very simple application form too.
Ruth Report Abuse
Report Abuse
I hope everything is going well with Wellness Street. Just read this article and thought I would pass on incase you haven't seen it. May help as evidence for future funding etc... demonstrating the need for projects such as yours. http://www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/news/1072932/young-homeless-people-suffer-increased-mental-physical-health?WT.rss_f=News&WT.rss_a=Young+homeless+people+suffer+increased+mental+and+physical+health+problems
Sarah Report Abuse
Thanks for this Sarah- great read and have just tweeted!
This might be of interest for others by the way: http://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/apply-for-funding/guide-to-applying/select-your-fund/main-fund/
Thanks for continuing to keep in touch. Hope you're well.
Ruth Report Abuse
All good thanks, just back from a couple of weeks away so catching up on all things Junction49 :-)
Hope all your funding applications are going well.
Sarah Report Abuse
Hope you had a lovely bank holiday weekend. I just saw this on Twitter and it caught my eye as an organisation who could maybe benefit from Wellness Street, unless of course you know about them already. http://ivo.org/hearus/posts/wellbeing-event-for-people-affected-by-mental-health-issues
Sarah Report Abuse
Yes thanks and I hope you did too. This looks great and coincidently I met a Yoga teacher based in Croydon over the weekend so wants to volunteer- love it when things coincide so well! Thanks for passing over. Have a good day.
Ruth Report Abuse
That's brilliant. I hope it all works.
Have a good day too.
Sarah Report Abuse
I hope you're well. Spotted this and thought it could be ideal for you to get funding but also support for the School of Social Entrepreneurs to take Wellness Street to the next level. Lloyds TSB are funding a scheme which will support 150 social entrepreneurs a year with grants of £4000, as well as a place on a start up course for setting up a social enterprise. The course is 12 dates over a year. You can find out more here: http://www.the-sse.org/schools/26/lloyds-banking-group-social-entrepreneurs-programme/85/about-the-programme
Sarah Report Abuse
Enjoy the sunshine :-) Report Abuse
I hope you're well and looking forward to the long weekend. I don't know why I didn't think about this before, but I was talking to someone last night and they said if you wanted a mentor they'd be able to help. I used to work for a charity called TimeBank and they run a project called Leaders Together. They match leaders of small community organisations to senior professionals from a range of backgrounds. If you're looking for a mentor to help with whatever areas you feel you need it, e.g. business planning they should be able to match you up. More details are here: http://timebank.org.uk/leaders-together
Sarah Report Abuse
Thanks for this- I have been working with a mentor in a very informal capacity but she's about to move away so this could be perfect timing... thank you for thinking of this and passing across.
Have a wonderful bank holiday.
Ruth Report Abuse
I hope you're well. I just stumbled across this organisation on Twitter and thought if you don't know of them already, it could be another organisation to work with as part of Wellness Street, as they're looking for more opportunities to support people who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health. http://www.blackfriars-settlement.org.uk/mental-health
Hope you have a great weekend.
Sarah Report Abuse
Thanks for sharing this- hadnt heard of them so it's a good one to know of :-)
Have a great weekend yourself.
Ruth Report Abuse
I saw your new website which looks great and so just thought I'd check in to see how everything is going with Wellness Street.
I hope you're well.
Sarah Report Abuse
Thanks for your contact and for your comment on the website! All's going well thank you- still aiming towards making Wellness Street into a social enterprise and the business plan's now written up too- phew!
Hope you're well.
Ruth Report Abuse
All good here thanks. Really pleased to hear it's all heading in the right direction and good work on the business plan - they do look pretty scary documents.
Enjoy the bank holiday.
Sarah Report Abuse
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