Inspiring, Encouraging, Motivating
Lazza: Islington Volunteer of the Year 2023
Lazza: Runner Up Islington Volunteer of the Year 2022
HMHB wins Mayor Civic Award in 2022 for its
"Outstanding" Delivery in the Community"
Feedback from Disability Employment Officer at Kentish Town Job Centre
“I am a Disability Employment Advisor based in Kentish Town JCP. I supported Lawrence by identifying and referring suitable clients to his Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies (HMHB’s) Programme which was run at Queen’s Crescent Community Centre for four weeks with weekly sessions.
I was fortunate to attend twice and was extremely impressed with the service and support provided. Indeed, HMHB’s provides an invaluable service to people with mental health issues, especially people struggling with depression and anxiety. Insomuch, that the programme centres not only around well-being and mindset activities, but there is also a focus on nutrition, exercise and health. As someone who suffers with depression myself, I cannot express how important exercise is to me, to help me manage my condition.
However, unlike most Universal Credit claimants, I’m fortunate to be able to afford gym fees, the occasional personal training session or specialist fitness classes like Pilates, Zumba or yoga etc. The Covid-19 Lockdown followed by the Cost-of-Living crisis has resulted in an unprecedented rise of people, especially those in receipt of benefits with mental health problems. And though GP’s can refer people to the gym it is not uniform across the Borough. The fact that HMHB’s is free, and it provides structured and informal exercise activities in a safe and supportive environment to local residents, cannot be overstated.
Furthermore, Lawrence provides a wrap-around service to all participants going above and beyond to not only support them with their mental health issues but also with housing, funding, training courses etc.
In conclusion, I believe that Health Minds, Healthy Bodies provides a uniquely invaluable complimentary service, supporting vulnerable and underrepresented people within the community that might otherwise fall through the net, and potentially reducing the pressure on an extremely strained NHS system and local GP services.”
Feedback from our Ajani Course with Haringey Well-Being Network in Spring 2021
"absolutely life changing course. Clear, unpatronising, friendly, inventive, funny, informative, and crucial approach to self-care, nutrition, and exercise. Lawrence is a gem, and both he and Oliver were born to be communicators, both are highly skilled at imparting information with great humility, humour, and both possess a wealth of knowledge and great soul. They seem to understand how to incorporate these vital life survival skills whilst inside the mind of depression and debilitating anxiety, without ever being anything less than empathetic and caring. Wonderful people. I am so glad I got myself to attend this course."
Feedback from our Ajani Course with Kentish Town Job Centre in Spring 2023
“I was recommended the course by my disability advisor at the job Centre, Genevieve, who is always looking for helpful opportunities for the people seeing her. The structure was divided into mindset-building activities, and physical exercise. Initially I felt they were a bit incongruent, but after week 2 realised they both worked towards improving mood and health to help people struggling to motivate themselves to improve their situation. From this pov the structure was ideal, this should be more clearly communicated at the start, but the course was exactly what I was looking for, as these are things I struggle with and am looking to improve.
I learned good mindset skills like how being in a downward spiral can seem more difficult to escape than it actually is due to the way we think influencing our abilities, and I learned about the reason why some foods are better to have than others, some give you a quick sugar high then leave you hungry again quickly, while others are nourishing because it takes longer to break them down by your body, giving you nutrition throughout the whole day, I've modified my diet according to this and done research on foods that work for my goals.
The HMHB people were excellent and a huge part of why I got so much out of my short time with them. Lawrence has a great attitude to improving the lives of people attending and seems very trustworthy from the start, as well as being very enthusiastic and hardworking in preparing fun activities for everyone to participate in. Jack was always helpful in spotting good and poor exercise technique and made himself available whenever I had questions to ask of him.
I would certainly recommend HMHB because of the above reasons, i.e., the attitude of the organisers and the usefulness of the material.
I don't know how useful it is for people who already work out, but I think it's incredibly useful for people just starting with working out and having trouble finding their footing, or people who have been on a certain routine for a while (like me) who wanted to learn more useful things about nutrition and exercise, as well as mindset.”
Kentish Town Group
The feedback that Healthy Minds, Healthy Bods received from our Kentish Town Group was some of the best we have had so far. It was extraordinary and astonishing, and demonstrates our fresh approach to mental health can really work..
To read the report on our Ajani program with the Kentish Town Group click here.
We asked particpants to give us quotes on the course. Here are just a few. Pls click the report above for the full feedback:
“Before, I was not in a good place. Just getting out of the house was a struggle, but having these scheduled meetings, and hearing tips especially on mindset, exercise and diet, got me into a rhythm that I hope I will be able to keep up.”
“I came without expectations, but was addicted to the amount of activities and learning opportunities provided.”
“Such a positive and supportive, practical and social upbeat experience.”
SHP Group 2
The feedback obtained from our Ajani program with the Single Homeless Project Group showed that our unique approach can help individuals to take first steps in changing their lives for the better.
To read the report on our Ajani program with the SHP Group click here.
For a comprehensive list of quotes, pls click the report above.
Participants had many brilliant things to say about the course, its delivery and those who delivered the course. Below are some of the things that were said:
“Preferred to attend the Ajani course”
''I felt more confident and empowered”
“Lawrence, Luke and Dean have a lot to offer people in dark places”
SHP Group 3
This Ajani program with the SHP Group in 2018 added to the positive feedback already gathered from the users who participated in our 2017 group, showing that our approach does actually work.
To read the report on our Ajani program with the SHP Group click here.
For a full list of all quotes, pls click the report above
Participants were asked to comment on their experience of the Ajani program. Below are some of the things they said:
“I enjoyed the new experience of life skills and fitness goals. The nutrition was interesting, not difficult and easy for everybody”
“Exercise sessions have been fun, and the nutrition information has been informative”
“The Passion of Ajani comes through. The people embody the spirit of the Ajani approach.”