Health

Week 164 – safeguarding- thoughts

Helen Sharpe Blog with a message, Health, weekly update

I have been pondering safeguarding since I had to block an archer on all platforms in July whilst I was in Dunster. Does anyone actually check on the wellbeing of safeguarding and welfare officers?

Do you know that there’s a difference between a safeguarding officer and a welfare officer? Don’t get me started on the label child protection officer which I still see but is incredibly outdated! Vulnerable adults are part of what we do and any of us can be vulnerable and it can be long term or short term and might be recurring but not constant.

What training do officers have, what do you expect of them? What hours do they do? So many questions pop into my mind when I wonder what people expect of those of us who take on the role, do many people wander about why a person stepped up to volunteer in the role?

Remember that they cannot discuss whatever they are dealing with which makes asking for help difficult in many instances.

Who am I? Take a look here to have some information about my background and what skills and experience I bring to my roles in safeguarding

Safeguarding (commitment to knowledge development)

I have volunteered in safeguarding in archery since February 2018, I became regional safeguarding officer in July 2019 and it is here where I found myself in an environment where it was understood that I might need support and someone to just check on me every now and then, but I do think that this was in part due to what the regional chair did outside of our sport, multiple roles where they might be impacted by looking after others, Mario continued to check on me at intervals and sit with me to let me explain things I was dealing with whilst not divulging information that identified anyone involved. I was lucky enough to have this continued care when Ted stepped into the chair role and now with Caroline as the chair this care has continued, and throughout it all Lynn as regional secretary has been there for me to vent to.

Whilst I mainly support individuals I also support club, county and regional chairs and safeguarding officers and here I also have additional support here from my county safeguarding officer, Martin who checks on me when I check on him, recognising that we can all support each other is key when we have such a sensitive role.

What is important is that I never take any support for granted because I know we are all volunteers and time given to me is valuable. Thank you to everyone who looks after me.

I have seen posts and comments recently that safeguarding officers don’t have anything to do as things should be referred to AGB and/or the police and therefore we have nothing to deal with.

Let’s start with this:

https://archerygb.org/files/agb-lower-level-concerns-policy-210723111216.pdf

The National governing body do not deal with everything and if it is raised locally and dealt with locally may not even be aware there was ever an issue to start with, easy because it’s low level? Hardly these are often personality clashes and sometimes seemingly impossible to resolve! Don’t believe me? Remember I said that my recent pondering started after I blocked someone?

Early 2024 I was contacted by an archer who a club had dealt with a complaint and dismissed the member as a result, they wanted support from me as regional officer to help with and attend the hearing. Looking at the basic information there were some questions I had and the process at club didn’t appear to follow the AGB policy, I made a call to AGB to discuss my thoughts and used their confirmation that my questions were reasonable made contact with the club, over a period of months my questions were not answered and we attended the appeal hearing, here I raised more questions as I formation was discussed. Ultimately the panel upheld the original decision and we still didn’t have answers to the questions! After again speaking with AGB it was felt that at this point a complaint to the NGB was appropriate, I helped the archer write and send this as they were not confident with IT usage.

Once received this was assessed and referred to county to deal with, they contacted me and asked for my support as they were having difficulty getting replies from the club, this has gone on for a number of months and ultimately referred back to the NGB. Remember that throughout this process we have an archer who isn’t allowed to attend their club of choice and though they are shooting at an alternative range would still like to return to that club. They contacted the NGB to ask what is happening and how this situation is going to be resolved, they were advised that it was to be referred to region and I reminded everyone that I had already dealt with this at region, the reply was that this occasion would see the matter referred to the regional chair! Several weeks pass and the archer chase and the reply they received prompted them to send me abusive messages that I had lied, that the NGB aren’t aware of the issues and that no one is or has been dealing with this, now I know that in over a year I personally had given over 140 hours of my time to this, and whilst it may be incredibly difficult to accept that there was no resolution abuse is not acceptable! It would be easy to raise a complaint and though I considered it, frankly I can only see that becoming another matter I have to give hours of my time to, so I replied with a message that abuse and their attitude was not acceptable and that I wished them well in finding resolution and that I would no longer be contactable.

My current caseload is 12 cases, from simple clashes at local level that need some mediation and hopefully everyone apologises and we move on, to my longest case that has been with me for over 6 years and involves numerous individuals and a toxic environment in coaching. I am also supporting someone who is a victim of sexual abuse – yes the matter is being dealt with by the police and national governing body and they have been referred to the appropriate agencies who support these types of cases, but sometimes they just need a conversation about how to word emails or information that they are asked to provide and to know it’s ok to have emotional reaction to an email. I am local, my hours are not 9-5 ( this is most definitely not any kid of criticism of paid AGB staff, who are entitled to clock off and take leave). I also support parents/carers whose children are impacted by our sport, sometimes it’s simply providing information that they do not know where to find, or sat with them when they need someone as their child has been admitted to hospital as a result of self harm caused by bullying, always, always ensuring all of the appropriate professional does are involved but again sometimes this is needed out of hours and they do not know where to look. Providing a decent brew and signposting is a simple but kind way of supporting a distressed parent or partner when it’s out of hours.

Not for the first time I recently took a call from someone regarding an archer who had made serious statements involving suicidal ideation, safeguarding officers do not have access to sport80 we cannot find addresses etc, I directed the caller to 999. This might seem obvious but if it’s not a situation you are familiar with your mind doesn’t always think clearly. I later reached out to the person who called me to ensure they were ok and also signpost them if they needed any help with their experience. Duty of care is something that I take seriously!

The creation of the Sport Welfare Officer roles last year see us all have an avenue of support

Sport Welfare Officer Network

and I have been lucky to create relationships with officer who cover the East Midlands to discuss a variety of subjects.

Archery GB have a dedicated area on the website

https://archerygb.org/about/safeguarding

and specifically an area with links to support for mental health

https://archerygb.org/about/safeguarding/mental-wellbeing-guidance

You can also find information at both

https://thecpsu.org.uk

and the

A Leading UK Authority on Safeguarding Adults

You will see me around and I chat with anyone who wants to, that might be me signposting someone to a service or simply it’s a hard day of shooting and someone may be wondering why they put themselves through it! Don’t underestimate those conversations I am often thanked at later events for conversations in the moment.

I see my role as supporting the NGB to keep everyone safe and well and ensure that people know where to get any help that they need. I would like to think I do this well but it isn’t the only thing I do and it can be draining so please remember to be kind to your safeguarding officers please. I would also ask you to remember that the paid team at Archery GB are also human, we know that at the moment there are vacancies but that doesn’t reduce the caseload they are dealing with, quite the contrary it increases the load, added to that the summer holiday period and yes your issues may be incredibly important but they are allowed leave! Remember also that they have caseloads that vary and cannot explain why something else may take priority over your call or email, criminal cases certainly don’t wait and shouldn’t, that doesn’t mean they don’t care, it just means they have to prioritise and no, it’s not convenient that they might say they are busy without being able to evidence it! They make promises on time periods because in the moment they do mean it, but many things might impact their ability to keep that promise, might they message you to tell you there’s a delay sure, but if their day is ended they are allowed to go home and stop sending emails for the day! Don’t ask me to back your decision to be rude with them because I will actually tell you about yourself instead and suggest that actually they stop offering deadlines at all! I will defend them in almost any situation because if you took the time to look at the link I gave you at the beginning of this, I know what it is to work in a life, intense and sensitive environment.

Be kind! Always

If you read to the end of this – thank you, I wanted to give a window into safeguarding and welfare and why it may seem like nothing much is happening but in fact there’s often an awful lot going on.

Hope to see you on the range soon, and remember that your volunteers are allowed time to shoot to not just take your queries 😉❤️🏹

3rd Birthday 🎂 celebrations and statistics 🥳❤️🏹

Helen Sharpe Anniversaries, Blog with a message, Health, News, Numbers and stats, weekly update

Wow! 3 years! I have no idea where this time has gone at all.

I loved being an ambassador for AGB and I stand by the validity of the group and the value of the roles, but the sheer amount of projects I was doing was somewhat overwhelming for people overseeing the ambassadors. The things that happened in 2022 made me believe that there was no place in this sport for me, as an archer or anything else. What I have learned in the long term is that the coach who said those things, (my coach) was the wrong coach, a bad coach! Instead 3 others coaches who know me and my story, sat me down and said own yourself, the good, the bad and the ugly, and get out there and do what you do well. Their voices made it to places that the friends who were supporting me didn’t quite get and I will forever be grateful but never more so than the advice given to me by pirate Dan! Thank you my friend for believing in me when I needed it and for being real.

I am also grateful to the few people who woke up 3 years go to find themselves in a chat group helping me choose the name of my new little business, my Community Interest Company that would allow me to do what I wanted, not for profit, providing access to sport for those who think they cannot access it for any reason. never once did any of them say what the heck are you thinking! They woke up, embraced the fact that I hadn’t slept, had been up all night and was on a serious caffeine high! 😜

I started off writing blogs twice a week for the first 2 years, then I have gradually moved to once a week and now once a month unless I have something to share, this I see suggests I am processing the loss of my dad in January 2022, the blocs were to replace this weekly calls we had that I could no longer have so I think this is a good sign for my recovery from the loss of my dad. 🤗 I do post stats at the quarter marks and I was very proud at 2 years and 9 months –

weeks 143 – 147 wow what a mad month that was!

so now 3 months later – I can add

that there are another

16 primary schools
37 secondary schools

12 colleges

31 residential care homes

6 children in csre

5 people in refuges

32 people in community groups

which makes a total of 142

added to the existing 4691 = 4833

year 1 = 2061

year 2 = 1873

year 3 = 899

I love this as I said I would be doing less, focusing on what I wanted, that I think is important and I think it shows that in part I am doing that, 1 person which uses other’s support when they need to.

it doesn’t take into account the issues with a group that cost me the range which has seen what I can do reduce, but it doesn’t take into account the joy of choosing what I want to focus on. There is nothing that I will not consider but I will be focusing on preventing groups from creating issues to the wider purposes of the aims of Integr8archery CIC, lessons learnt in 2024/2025.

I also still support some groups who continue to run without us and I have other roles within my sport and my day job.i am very happy with these numbers 🤗🥰

so there we have it, I have lots planned for the summer of 2025 so fingers crossed we get them met 🤞🏻🥰

shout me if you need me, whenever 🤗

eat cake and raise to Helen, I a trying my hardest to be the best me for my children 😘

Week 135, a month, what happens in a month 😂🫣😱🤷‍♀️

Helen Sharpe Health, Blog with a message, Event recap, weekly update

A question was posed about where I had been as apparently people have been discussing not seeing me. I mean I am unsure why they would and if they wanted me, there are many ways to contact me and people do so, daily with great success.

However to answer the question I decided to look at a month ish, and it will give you an idea of where I have been and what I have been doing, my weekly blogs do give a bit of a clue anyhow.

24/12/24 – 2/2/25 = almost 5 weeks

24/12 – 28/12 work, longest shift amongst that was 26 hours. Also some pockets of time with my children to open our Christmas presents and on Boxing Day eating a lovely roast at home thanks to Paul who cooked it for us since I had my Christmas lunch at work.

29/12 – a day to chill with my children at home

30/12 – Nottingham and Mario’s funeral, a day of laughter and tears amongst our archery family as we tried to support those he left behind – his family.

31/12 – shooting with friends at WOAC and an evening of food and drinks with family.

1/1/25 – a day with family

2/1/25 – shooting with a friend at Glen then some time with Jack and paints

3/1 – work

4/1 & 5/1 – rest days taken up with emails, phone calls, some work on my assignments for my level 3 course and some painting to relax.

6/1 – work

7/1 – Safegaurding meeting

8/1 – work, followed by a shift at a second home where I sometimes pick up work to help them out.

9/1 to 12/1 – work, ending with a visit to the hospital where I was asked to not pick up a bow for 2 weeks and rest to aid recovery.

13/1 to 16/1 – classroom days for my level 4 course, Advanced Child Sexual Exploitation Practitioners Course. With 2 of these evenings seeing me at meetings

17/1 & 18/1 – Lilleshall for the AGB, Home Nations and Regional meeting

19/1 – competition at AOR, had to stop due to back and shoulder but I stayed the day and caught up with friends and also dealt with a variety of emails, calls and texts in person at the venue instead.

20/1 – meeting with the sports welfare officers followed by work

21/1 – work followed by a meeting for Northampton Federation for Disability Sports

22/1 – work

23/1 – visit with friend and then home for some family time

24/1 – a day in London attending a ceremony for my friend who was being granted the freedom of the City of London

25/1 – family breakfast date followed by a meeting

26/1 – shadowing judges at LAOFAC where I signed up as a candidate judge and caught up with some people to update on some issues that I am dealing with. Followed by an overnight stay with mum.

27/1 – start the day with mum, visit my aunt and uncle, then off to my other mum and dad, take a call regarding an issue at WOAC, speak with county safeguarding officer and ensure club covered before resigning my post with the club and then drive home, have a cuppa with my children before going to bed and FaceTiming a friend until around 1am.

28/1 – meet a friend for breakfast and take 2 calls from others and reply to amazing messages of support.

29/1 – help Jack with something for his work, then off to my work, come home and write this blog at 23:30 in response to questions!

30/1 – English federation cross awards admin, paint a little and work

31/1 – work, study for my level 4, paint and as I am on standby – maybe take calls from work, maybe go in, maybe not.

1/2 – shoot with friends at WOAC (ongoing arrangement that we had created earlier this year), study for a couple of hours, dinner with members of AOR

2/2 – morning at Kestrels AC to see and support friends and the amazing group representing Ebbsfleet and Arcus both clubs that I am safeguarding/welfare officer at. Then over to LBAC to shoot with my friend – time where we breathe.

Across all of this I take calls, answers messages across various platforms about many things from Safegaurding to supporting friends and arranging sessions for integr8archery CIC to deliver archery to those who think there is no place in our sport for them, I also pop into spaces where I know there will be archers to say hello and check they are ok, often on a whim if I have a chance as I take safeguarding very seriously and I know that being contactable and available is key.

Throughout all of this I work to stay connected with home and family, and manage my PTSD and anxiety and the night terrors ( which whilst always possible have certainly raised their head this week). I have been dealing with these issues since 1996 and I am grateful to have a core group of amazing friends who support me and, when I need her my therapist who I call upon if needed but has been part of my team since 2018, because it took me a very long time to allow anyone to help me at all.

Anyhow I hope that gives you an idea of where my time goes 🤷‍♀️

week 127 – some weeks are just the serious stuff ❤️🏹

Helen Sharpe Joining forces for strength, Health, Quick catch up, weekly update

The individual is at the heart of everything that I do and I choose people to work with me who do the same, it allows me to put the right coach in the right group.

A focus for me will always be welfare and safeguarding because without this nothing else will function.

I thought I would explain how that impacts my week, so in the last 3 weeks I have:

Attended the latest East Midlands Welfare virtual meeting, been interviewed on BBC radio Northamptonshire as part of the day of disability special, delivered my last session for 2024 at DISC, attended Corby Archers to deliver archery England federation cross awards to their juniors, attended a virtual meeting with white ribbon UK looking at gender based violence in education settings, attended an event hosted by the children’s society and Ivison Trust on the topic of child exploitation for sports clubs and organisations, attended a workshop hosted by BEAT around eating disorders and the festive period and joined in on the reclaim the night march in Northampton.

The other stuff I do, go to work, shoot, manage and review events delivered by coaches on behalf of Integr8archery CIC and spend time with my family, including my regular weekend with mum, all continued too.

Not everything I do sees me post photos, and it may not all seem exciting but it is all very much worth my time to keep everyone safe.

See you all on a range soon and if you are about, at the indoor nationals for certain ❤️🏹

Week 102, studying and my own arrows

Helen Sharpe Health, weekly update

Fast hurtling to that 2nd birthday for Integr8archery CIC and I have added the number save from the few that will be added in the next two weeks. Though the anniversary is 28/6/24 I will use the 25/6/24 blog for the birthday announcement.

This week was just the steady delivery of ongoing projects nothing extra as I had been aware it was a big week for my PBS course, portfolio finished, handed in and presentation done! Strange when you consider how many hours I have spent in court being questioned by the defence, how anxious standing in a room of my peers and assessors became, but I think it was all good so now to wait and see if my grades see me become a practise leader 🤞🏻

Anyone who knew me in 2000 knows about my accident in lockdown, falling on a tree I was cutting down in the garden and impaling my leg on it and the issues that resulted. Thursday I had a clumsy accident and hurt the injury, ended up having it looked at due to the swelling, bruising, pain and sensation issues in my leg and foot. I was advised to rest, elevate for 6 weeks and help it heal, and no shooting. Well that’s not going to work for me is it! When recovering in 2000 I only sat whilst it was immobilised!

So Friday evening I took myself off to the range to see how 60 arrows might feel and made the decision that I was going to shoot on Sunday. Sunday was to be a 2 part competition, the inter county Ivy Keating, I was shooting for Northants v Bedfordshire, always a good day as they are very similar in attitude to us. Sunday morning as I did my physio exercises by arm couldn’t quite hit shoulder height, well as categories use cumulative scores, even a poor score might be useful and certainly better than a DNS on the squad list so off I set with Rose who had asked if she could spend the day with me. It’s literally years, pre Covid since anyone wanted to just come with me to a shoot, she packed some school worked and refused the offer of a place to shoot.

The weather was blooming cold and much more like winter than summer! But much fun was had and though we lost overall it was definitely worth the effort.

Remember I said it was a double competition? It was also the second Bob Fricker memorial shoot and this brought more great friends from around the county to the range and added to the spirit of the day. I came away with a gold medal as the only senior compound lady, the rest were over 50 or juniors 🫣 a little embarrassing considering the dreadful score but I guess I earned it🤔🤪

Lots of pain by the end of the day but nothing new and after all it’s what all the various changes of the last several years have been about.

If you recall I set myself a deadline in spring regarding if I stay or leave the sport and I am almost halfway to deadline day, 30th September, I have some firm thoughts around my possible decision and I am certainly no longer hopeful that the against me will be resolved, it is impacting the work I do with juniors and what I am currently offering but I have worked around it to some degree with local clubs and I am thankful for their support. It remains incredibly difficult for me having it hanging there, my mental health being impacted and the irony remains that it’s safeguarding holding it there and therefore impacting me!

Anyhow that’s this week’s update, a great week, with great friends and something of a wound creating issues for my leg and another for my headspace.

Have a good week folks and I will see you soon for sure 😊❤️🏹

week 98 for Integr8archery CIC, or my personal 2nd anniversary ☕️🎂

Helen Sharpe Health, Blog with a message, weekly update

It is mental health awareness week.

I don’t hide my issues with mental health, anxiety, panic attacks a diagnosis of PTSD, and so many different issues that are stress related from migraine, IBS to alopecia. If I had the right support earlier in my life maybe I could have found myself in a better place, we’ll never know. What I absolutely would say is talk to someone, I remember feeling so doubtful every time anyone suggested therapy, how would talking about any of it help? So I took many, many years to become open to the idea. The turning point for me was sitting at work, absolutely convinced I was having a heart attack and this was it, but it was a panic attack, scarily similar in symptoms. So almost 9 years ago I agreed to a referral and met the most amazing woman in my counsellor. She was not what I imagined and I fast learned that actually we chatted some every week, but I got a lot of homework every week, the majority of the work to mend, heal, find my methods was my work to do. Surprisingly but also absolutely made sense, because on the day to day it would be me, myself and I getting through each day. The tools to go forward were mine but I can contact here when I need to, periodically I find I need a conversation with her, may be a couple of sessions.

16th May 2022 – I was passed that stage, in such a dark and low place that I decided this was to be my last day. The people I love, care about, would find the world an easier place if I was not here to burden them. A voice from 1996 was now interwoven with a recent voice, my best friend, who had spent 7 months destroying me verbally, constantly telling me I had no place in life, in my sport, no value to anyone for anything. When someone you trust so much, who knows you so well, uses all of that to destroy you, the damage hits deeper, buries inside your mind, becomes a living nightmare.

However someone, in the universe felt a vibe that day, neither of us understand what or how, but she knew something was different that day, she and a small number of others had kept me going for those 7 months, when I woke up screaming in the night, when I was literally laying on the floor unable to breathe or when I just cried, and cried and couldn’t stop the tears. This day, it was different and the universe nudged her, and she saved me, but much like my counsellor – I did the work, she stood beside me, but I did the work. I survived that day because of her, because she heard the universe shift that day. Without a doubt the hospital played their part and I am grateful to them all.

That small band of friends and family, 9 people stronger than an army have never faltered, and I am blessed to be able to add another 8 people who have played key roles in the last 2 years, it takes a village. My village is fearless.

Here I stand 2 years to the day, stronger, changed, with the odd wobble, but ready to meet every day. Some days I am sad, I. miss the old me, but I have pieces of her that I keep safe, maybe one day she will be brave enough to face the world, but I love my village and they make sure I laugh every day. I have spent 28 years finding the sliver of positive in every day, I made myself some promises in 1996, I believe every day holds a smile and something positive, so I focus on finding those, some days are hard but I have survived them all so far 🤗

What else has happened this week? Meetings, lots of them, I love telling people that what they want is achievable.

I shot my first outdoor competition of the season, score was poor, but that was anticipated and my score made me laugh – 666 😂😈🤘 About half way through the second distance I started to enjoy myself too, bonus 🤪 and some of my village were there and my wider circle, lots of hugs too ❤️🏹

Classroom day yesterday, now to get my portfolio completed and my presentation done ready for the last classroom day in June and then the wait to see if I have passed my assessments. I can honestly say, if someone suggests a level 5 equivalent course in 4 months, think hard it’s a heavy commitment, not helped by everything else I am doing of course 😜

I hope you are all well, I hope that you are all looking after yourself, if you need anything – reach out, there are lots of people who will help 🤗

Week 96 -prioritising the right things

Helen Sharpe Blog with a message, Health, Joining forces for strength, weekly update

I think this is going to be the badge I wear for 2024.
I am going to remember it and repeat it daily because I think the fight is going to really pick up this year.

what fight? The one I stepped into in 2019, it seems like a lifetime ago, in part because the whole Covid lockdowns and the timeline disruption that brought with it, but also, because it is!

I have been involved in the world of safeguarding since I first volunteered as a 16 year old, but little did I realise how over the next 33 years it would become increasingly part of what I do, in the day job and in a variety of volunteer roles.

I see it as the most important role I have aside from being a parent, which is essentially a kind of safeguarding in its own way.

I have a number of qualifications within it and I study constantly to improve my knowledge in ways to support those who come to me. Safeguarding is a privilege as I essentially step into someone’s world when they are in their most vulnerable place. Though I also do a lot of work to help improve knowledge to prevent issues, equally important.

Within my sport I have been a club safeguarding officer in a variety of places since 2017, some I still hold, and regional safeguarding officer since 2019, sometimes being part of the safeguarding team for Archery GB at competitions.

Most issues that come to me are resolved simply, some take more work, and some of what I do is to support other safeguarding officers. I don’t get to speak about what I do due to GDPR, rightly so.

However the biggest issue I have been dealing with has been an open case for me since 2019 when I was first asked to get involved, and believe me repeated conversations, meetings and discussions with NGB, outside agencies, and athletes and coaches have seen this grow to involve so many people, and covers 14 years worth of information that I have been given.

I have a variety of opinions as to how some of the issues have happened, some is a culture where habits are taught to the next person and the next and so on, some is outright bullying. Regardless it all needs changing, acknowledgement and ownership is required to even begin to bring about change. Other sports have gone through similar and some are still going through their process, I believe that all sports have something similar, created by habits and attitudes that were once allowed that are no longer acceptable. There is no shame in holding up your hands and saying we have a problem, and we are going to make changes, shame will only come from hiding it, refusing to change it and allowing it to continue.

It might be hard, and for a while a bit rocky, change always is and this is huge, but there are so many amazing people in our sport who will work to do this given the opportunity.

For some it will be easier to try and throw dirt back, I am ready for that, it isn’t new after all, it’s been happening for 5 years already, it just may get louder and more public. There is a limit to what and how I will respond, because those who matter to me personally know me and enough about what is happening. What I will say is my day job taught me a very long time ago to evidence gather, and I keep every message across every platform and they will allow me to always know my truth and to remind myself when necessary of that truth, like they did in 21/22.

It is almost mental health week and so it is always fitting to consider my own, I have PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks and a form of acrophobia. 2022 – 16th May was almost my last day as I reached the maximum level of destruction that had been bore down on me for the previous 7 months, add to I was trying to support people who were themselves dealing with their own massive mental health issues.

It has been incredibly hard because I cannot discuss so very much of this, and that makes it harder still.

I am certainly stronger that I have been for a very long time, though I am exhausted by all of this, but I agreed to be referred to Sports Resolutions because that is the very last place I can take this, and I do have to know that I have tried every avenue in this long and weary battle but one that is so vitally important for the benefit of everyone from grassroots to elite. The last 18 months has seen me hearing from a number of people that I need to take this to the media, it’s how some sports have managed to bring about change, I have a variety of conflicting feelings about such action.

I do want to thank those who have stood by me, supporting me, those who got me through 2022 and a couple of amazing safeguarding officers who have allowed me to talk with them, for the hardest part of safeguarding is having no ability to speak of what we are carrying, they have been limited conversations but enough for me to breathe,

I am proud of everyone who has shared their experiences with me, the ones who now carry long term issues even if they have walked away from the sport that took such a huge cost, athletes and coaches. That people have felt that I have helped and who trust me enough to bring others to me is humbling and some days, most days, I wing a lot of what I do, supporting people is different for each individual and using my training, my experience and thinking outside the box has got me, and them, through a lot.

My therapist is worth her weight in gold as she has supported me through my struggles but helped me carry this too.

A few months ago, one of these amazing young people started to say things publicly, slowly, about their battles. I am immensely proud of her and I know she struggles to see herself as those of us who know her see her.

Today, on a very important anniversary of her own she has publicly released a poem that explains a little of what she has gone through, braver than me right there, I have been writing thoughts, letters, poems through my therapy for 8 years and I know how vulnerable those writings are, so to release one publicly is a truly brave step.

I asked if I could share it and I have on instagram and now I share it here, Ruby Paul you are so very much stronger than you realise and what you have put out there today will resonate and help so many not just in Archery but across other sports too 😘 it is a privilege to know you and we love you dearly.

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Who is in charge of your goals? You are! Who judges if/when you have achieved them? You do!

Helen Sharpe Blog with a message, Event recap, Health, Numbers and stats, Re-published blogs

I have had a couple of conversations this week which have made me think of a number of other conversations that I have had over the last 6 years. So since I have mulled it over and it’s still rattling in my head I thought I would share my thoughts.

If you know me then you know I have a number of issues that impact me, in archery but actually every day in life. Pain! Lots of it dictates my mobility and range of movement but I have spent my life ignoring it, pushing it to one side as I refuse to allow it to prevent me doing things.

In part this mindset is definitely how I was raised, I grew up surrounded by people who just got on with it, simply didn’t even mention their bad days.

If I had given in to pain I would have sat down as a toddler and stayed there 🤔

I have written blogs before about how my body deteriorating means I have to change or quit:

Quit, change, challenge? Your choice!

when this was first published the response took me by surprise, when it was re-published the same happened, I know I am not the only archer who has to face change to stay in the sport we love, but it’s not easy! Certainly helps to have support, particularly as people seem very happy to share their negative thoughts with me about my right to be on the range!

I followed the re-published blog with an update:

Something a little different, even though it’s a repeat!

This indoor season saw me face new change! It never ends, if I want to keep one step ahead of my body then I have to keep re-thinking how to shoot and I am blessed that my physio friend and the county captain have never given up on me, though without a doubt they both have learned over the years that I am stubborn and crazy 🤪

My entire life has been about reaching goals and always, with anything, the biggest part is – be the best that I can be, I may not know what that means or how to measure or predict it, but with everything, work, school, sport ….. I have always been prepared to dig in and work, most of my achievements have been scrappy and fought for.

So spring 2018 I completed my beginners course with the belief that I could likely get 2 years out of my broken body. I made decisions and chose 4 competitions that I would enter for my first outdoor season as I set my sights on a 3rd class – classifications were really the only thing I could convince myself to judge myself on, when you start something new and have no clue what you are capable it, where do you start with your goals?

I entered a lot more competitions than I had planned and made it onto the county squad, I earned my second class and I was so upset! I had set my goal of a 3rd so that 2nd should have been amazing, but I had put in 2 1st class scores and a bunch that were just a few points each off 1st so instead of being happy I had achieved more than my goal I was upset that I only saw that I had failed on the 1st class!

Indoors was a new challenge and I wanted to use my outdoor achievements to set my indoor goal, but I was repeatedly advised it was the same at all so I was a little unsure but aimed to do my best! 2018/19 saw me get an F.

Outdoor 2019 – another 2nd! Along with the knowledge that the pain was seeing more and more competitions leave me crying on the floor as I often couldn’t move due to pain at the end of the day!

Indoor 19/20 – E, moving in the right direction but also sitting and agreeing to data gather as the stool was really looking unavoidable.

Outdoor 2020 – 2nd class, considering the Covid restrictions I was happy to get in enough scores to get anything, particularly as I was transitioning to seated. No, it’s not the same but sat!

Indoor 20/21 – D class, and I was learning to accept the stool and an agent, neither came easily!

Outdoor 2021 – finally settled with the stool 1st!! Amazing, hard work and determination and I finally had that little piece of shiny metal in my hand!

Indoor 21/22 – D – I was happy but really starting to want that C!

Outdoor 2022 – another 1st class!

This one felt massive, I had fought my mind, the destructive voices that had been out there by someone else, telling me over 7 months that I had no place, in the sport, in any role but anywhere else either. A summer that saw me almost quit life, I am forever grateful that someone reached in and saved me, and with a few others held on whilst I let go. They also convinced me that the sport I fought constantly to be part of might actually help save me. And it’s certainly why Dunster will always hold a very special place in my heart, as I sat there with 3 important ladies watching those longbows fling sticks and calm my brain.

Indoor 22/23 – C class! Amazing, and I had barely been able to shoot as I had put dad before everything, that little piece of bling felt special, I could hear his belief in me, he never gave up on me.

outdoor 2023 – new classifications, I had been part of the working group and had to listen to so many people complain 🫣

I wasn’t really sure what I was aiming for and decided to use the new and old tables together so I could reference something I did understand! Bowman 3rd class under the new which I felt was poor but wasn’t sure why, under the old system I had dropped back to C, devastated – dropped was the right phrase since I spent most of 2023 gradually lose the feeling in my hand, dropping everything, and either numb or in agony! Again changes and what to do for the best whilst waiting for hospital appointments!

indoor 23/24 – again new classifications so the decision to use old and new – bowman 3rd class old system C class! I am happy with this and it’s helped me accept summer 2023.

I started the indoor season with a PB in the Stafford and finished it with PB in Portsmouth and earned medals along with the Portsmouth 550 badge!

Here I sit, having planned numerous outdoor competitions for 2024 and we will see what my new way of shooting brings, will I get something decent! I am again going to use both new and old systems and this year I can also play on the 50+ class which will certainly help in the high pain days but I am going to enjoy it, that is what is important, can I keep smiling! If I can I get to stay in October, if it brings more tears than smiles then this will be my last season shooting.

Let’s see what happens – I am looking forward to the challenge.

It has all reminded me of conversations that I wasn’t good enough, and what was the point of my goals, they weren’t good enough either!

Well what I do know is this, the goals you set for yourself are the ones that matter, how you feel about your achievements is what matters! If you have a coach, and they tell you that your goal – to be the very best that you can be, isn’t good enough, then I would suggest that you need a different coach 🤗

Whatever your goals for the coming summer, I wish you the best, may your arrows fly strong ❤️🏹

Thank you to those who have stood by me, and helped me with each challenge that I have faced 🥰 you are all awesome and I have never taken any of you for granted.

the best days are sharing in others’ successes

Helen Sharpe Health, Quick catch up

I have said for many many years that success is so much more than medals, celebratory moments in sport are about so many things. I can list many examples that I have been privileged to be a part of in the last 7 years.

Today was no different, I love my hour every month with DISC, helping deliver multiple sports and activities to amazing children and their families.

Today there was a boy who I have seen often for over a year, close to 18 months, he struggles to retain the information, communication isn’t always simple and he looses concentration, he is anxious about his mum leaving and looks for reassurance that she’s stayed. He walked in and I always allow him to show me what he can remember, today he picked up his bow and an arrow and completed the shot routine and hit a blue immediately, his mum was stunned and as I handed him a second arrow, he turned to tell her she didn’t need to watch she could chat outside the door with other adults if she wished and just got on with it. Proud? Oh yes, and in these moments, the very hardest thing is not to react, just carry on, when in fact I want to dance and hug and celebrate.

There were lots of other amazing moments, as always, children who still come to see me despite me progressing them to local clubs, for example a young man I met almost a year ago, introduced him to a club, yesterday he was at county coaching, this morning he was competing and this evening he went to his club session, but he still makes time to come and say hello, shoot a few soft arrows and some days helps me to deliver. Or the young girl who having watched her sister shooting, sat on the floor with Rose so that she could leave her walking frame to shoot.

I am proud of these children, but it makes me proud of my children and anyone who helps me deliver any kind of sessions, every person is treated as an individual and my priority, always is enjoyment and smiles. Success is different for different people.

Today I also met a young man who has long been an Archery GB member but isn’t currently shooting, despite an incredibly strong family link with our sport, because his club no longer fits his needs. After a chat, I was able to make the introductions to a club that I believe will welcome him and meet his needs and early indications are correct.

I finished the day nipping in to see some who always has hugs for me, just a quick catch up as I knew they had competed today but when I met them at the end of 2022 they were crying as they believed that their only option was to leave our sport as the disability had progressed and they had been made to believe there was no place for them here. Time, patience, laughter and tears have proven that is not the case, adaption and work and here they are, today bringing home a shiny bronze medal 🥳❤️🏹

I know what it is to be told there is no place for you, I know the damage that can do. I will fight for anyone’s right to be active and take part, always.

It has been one of the days that motivates me, shows me I can play a part. Motivation in the bank for the days when I am told to walk away and leave 🤗

6 year anniversary of my beginners course 🤔

Helen Sharpe Blog with a message, Health

6 years ago today I completed my beginners course!
I have spent the day thinking about what that 6 years have contained! Wondering what might have been if I hadn’t picked up a bow.

I had been volunteering my time before that as everyone else in the house were already shooting but without a doubt I would never have given so much of my time had I not become an archer. I loved the sport for what it was giving my children but I had not experienced what I would gain.

I had friends in the county but I didn’t have the bonds and some amazing friendships that grew from pulling on a county shirt and being part of the squad, supporting each other in the most amazing ways.

I certainly wouldn’t have travelled the path that led to my creating Integr8archery CIC and the projects I have now or those in the years before. It has been a privilege to work with those I have met through the projects.

There are a list of downsides too, I won’t go into those, for a variety of reasons, but again, some of those have brought fantastic people into my life.

It was all of these things whizzing around my head as I sat waiting at the hospital for my appointment today, the first of 2 appointments in 6 days – the good news is I have been given permission to continue shooting if I would like to, so crack on with learning my new routine it is then!

It’s rare I ask for anything, despite how much I give, so as I walked back into the house to mull over the conversation at the hospital I was surprised to find messages, messages which frankly I think are selfish and demanding attention when I have explained that right now, there are things happening that require my attention. Likely not helped by the fact that the wording was triggering for me, initially I was not going to reply but I do not wish to trigger anyone else’s anxiety by making them wait. The subsequent response just reinforced my initial feelings that the sender was selfish and demanding with no interest in me.

So, I emphasise – right now I will give what I can, but this is not my priority, my health and that of my children is and I may just start not replying to rude or triggering messages.

I do wish to thank those who have sent kind and/or supportive messages too, particularly in reference to helping the children look after Paul, WOAC – as expected, have been amazing – thank you 🥰