1st October always see the beginning of a new archery year, I know lots of people who have been discussing should they stay or leave the NGB, in some cases as individuals and in some cases club committees wondering if the club should leave.
These can become heated and I understand both sides of the arguments, I can see positives to stay and reasons to leave as an individual and/or club and for me if you are in charge of a club I think the most important thing is to be sure to listen to your members as their voice is key to any decisions that a club makes and they should never be disregarded. It is sometimes difficult to make everyone happy but committees must ensure that you are always listening.
This of course then raises the question of if a club leaves AGB do they join another governing body, where is the best place to seek insurance and should they become hybrid, ensuring that whatever you do covers everyone at all times.
whatever you chose to do, I hope it works best for you and you have found the right way to ensure you enjoy your archery. I do think it’s a conversation that will continue to have significant conversations for at least the next couple of years as people continue to navigate what their clubs and members want, my advice, speak to those who have already made decisions and see how they are getting on following any changes.
For me it’s been a chance to assess where I see myself shooting most of my arrows when I have time to practise and having left WOAC for the second time in January, I had signed up to AOR for the outdoor season. However I have made the decision that for 25/26 Targetcraft Archers is the best fit for regular sessions along with my usual time with friends at LBAC, Towcester, Bowmen of Glen and if possible Kestrels. I enjoy the opportunity to shoot in space that I am comfortable and spending time with friends and this is my best plan for the new archery year.
At the AGM on 1/10 I have taken on the role of junior representative and also stepped into the 2nd safeguarding officer position. I have sent out my first email, an introduction to the juniors and their families and have started to create a plan for the next 12 months. Hopefully I will advocate for the juniors and help them get what they want from their club. Early feedback is positive.
Whilst I am away this week I shall be contacting various people to get dates confirmed in the calendar, I have started this morning with the judging opportunities that are being offered for the coming year.
Enjoy the next year and whatever it may bring and see you all soon ❤️🏹
I love the anniversaries it is good for me to reflect on what I have achieved, somethings have to stop, some things start and it’s all about balance, for me this is all an amazing way to share my sport with other people, I love the way people see what they can do and enjoy it, often entirely surprised after being worried initially.
My sport is amazingly adaptable and varied and this makes it inclusive. I have been blessed to work with so many varied people and groups and I love this ability, from 4 years to 92 years.
If you follow me you will know that I celebrate the anniversaries and I use the quarters to reflect on what I have achieved with Integr8archery CIC, I love the numbers as they help me focus – the last update was 3 year anniversary, thank you for reading that.
So here I am, the last 3 months from 28th June to 27th September 2025 –
3 x school events – 195 people
weekly school sessions –
7 x primary – 84 people
12 x secondary schools – 146 people
3 x colleges – 32 people
4 x Residential Care homes (seniors) – 36
3 x Community groups (juniors) – 111 children
2 x Community Groups (adults) – 95
2 x company team building events = 36 people
total for the last 3 months =
735 people 🥳❤️🏹
added to the previous 3 years = 5568 people and the 4th year of integr8archery CIC looks to be kicking off with a boom!
thank you to everyone who has helped me and supported me in that time, ever do I take it for granted 🥰 you are all amazing and there are definitely days that I would stumble without you, the messages and the cups of coffee ☕️🍰 work their magic always.
This is of course all on top of the many other things that I do, some people criticise the amount of volunteering that I do, but it’s my decision and those closest to me know what drives me, a promise I made 29 years ago, I believe I am keeping it.
What I do know is that the 4th year seems to be off to a great start and I am continuing to enjoy sharing my sport and supporting those who take part in it.
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
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.
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
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 😉❤️🏹
You know when people say what would you tell your younger self if you had the chance? I often find myself sitting thinking about this, what would I tell her but also when in time would I go back to? Also how long would I have to chat with them because that might impact the message too.
No matter who you are we all have regrets, some have more or bigger regrets than others, but I also often think how some of the things that people expect you to regret were lessons and shaped the next version of you, so if you regret them you wouldn’t be who you are today.
I could list regrets hat might form the messages I would give me earlier self, but I think I would go back to myself in 1996 and tell myself that the promise I made to the universe about giving to others if I survived, I kept, in lots of ways, but certainly 29 years later I was still keeping it. Integr8archery CIC certainly was a conduit to helping me reach so many different types of people in many different settings.
So 161 weeks – 3 years and 5 weeks – certainly show me that 1 person with the support of others can support many!
Since the 3rd birthday I have been to Dunster which I always love, complete some more judging days, delivered more Archery England Federation Cross award, handed in my notice at work ready to start my new job on the 1/9/25 and made plans to claim back my own archery which has suffered when I simply had to give somewhere. My archery is no less important than that of others so why I allowed it to be dropped remains a mystery to me.
The weekend saw me support a number of people from afar, have to love technology for that because I cannot always be on a range in person and I would have to chose who gets support and who doesn’t, so technology allows me to be everywhere when I am needed.
In the 5 weeks since we ate cake for 3 years we have wound down the schools and education groups for the summer holidays, it was good to celebrate the last few weeks and see how some of the young people who have shot much of that academic year have progressed 🥳
Held a day at KIngswood Urban Development Project, I always enjoy my time here and this was another awesome day of laughter and fun.
Attended lots of meetings! From safeguarding to planning and reviewing projects and creating new ideas with new groups.
I spoke with someone at weekend who was struggling with changes, we all do, and I certainly have had to adapt to my physical issues numerous times and have blogged about these changes numerous times but they always come in handing when trying to show someone they are not alone, with this in mind some of the very important messages are here:
There is some overlap but they will give you some idea of what I have struggled with when facing change and how I think it’s our own choice how we measure success and not that of others.
You can go through my posts and blogs, or you can search and I do try to categorise like blog with a message or health etc. Feel free to trawl and you might find something that is interesting or useful, I make no promises though 🤣
But remember if you are doubting yourself, message me I am bright, crazy cheerful and will be one of your biggest cheerleaders ❤️🏹
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 –
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 😘
when I started integr8archery CIC I wanted to do the blogs to allow people to know what is happening, I am 1 person and no one to share the process, the ups and downs with, the high points or the moments that make me throw my hands in the air!
I used to chat with my dad weekly and he always wanted to know what was happening with “my little business”.
For a long time I would publish a weekly and mid weekly update, in the last year these had changed to weekly unless there was something to share that I felt allowed a midweek post. In the recent months there hasn’t been the need for weekly and the pressure of everything else has seen me miss some. So as we go forward I shall do 1 a month but if there’s news or something that I particularly want to share I will do additional blog drops.
I am a mum, I shoot my own archery, I work full time as a senior support worker in children’s residential care, often dealing with intense situations that can be time consuming and, I believe, that when I focus here this is correct and I do not want to feel guilty as I didn’t post an update. I am a EMAS regional safeguarding officer and safeguarding officer for 3 archery clubs. I have taken on the role of candidate judge, I administer the badges for archery England and as the new outdoor season has started claims will be increasing, I am vice chair of NFDS and though the decision has been made to close this I will remain as independent member to ensure that the funds will continue to go to the appropriate applications as set out in the NFDS statement of purpose, and I am in the process of becoming a Volunteer Support Line Operator with the Ivision Trust following the completion of my Advanced Child Sexual Exploitation Practitioner level 4 qualification. I also pick up the odd volunteering shift/ role with Northamptonshire Sport and other activity providers.
I think this means it’s ok to look at where I can save myself time, looking after myself is important or the rest simply won’t get done! This week has been mental health awareness week and I have shared some information about my own mental health, I have never shied away from the topic and I think it’s important to be open and honest about it, but it has been a perfect time to assess my own self care.
I have attended meetings this last few weeks for a number of things and reviewing projects, I am very grateful to the groups I deliver to who have sat down with me to look at the changes that will be required following long term changes to my work rota that came in with very little notice. Thank you everyone.
I hope that spring is seeing everyone get out to enjoy the longer days and whatever the outdoor season plans are for you, that you enjoy them.
Firstly, apologies for the gap in weeks, things have been chaotic on a number of levels from my health to some things happening within my close circle and then work requiring me to step up and do a significant amount of extra hours to help support a situation for a young person, including an unexpected break to the coast which was intense, hard work but also as we were lucky with weather, some beautiful moments in each day.
What have I been doing in those missing weeks for Integr8archery CIC?
Some of you do remember that it is just me, and I organise everything and hold meetings and reviews and I am lucky that when I need coaches I have a small team of amazing coaches who I match to delivery requirements, I am immensely grateful to these people who don’t really need me and are amazing enough that if I am not around they crack on with it. They are also incredibly understanding of my tendency to issue emails etc during the middle of the night, a combination of my working shifts and that I do not sleep, they know I don’t expect them to be awake to reply 😂
So it’s been meetings, (thank goodness that COVID really taught us how to connect via the internet) and that wherever I have been, I have been able to attend much of those by my virtual sessions. To those who I have been able to see face to face, thank you for finding time to catch up with me around the crazy schedule and to those who I had to postpone, I think I now have new dates in my calendar for everyone but if I have missed you, please let me know.
A couple of projects have been knocked on the head and I will hold dearly the memories and friendships made over time in these places, but, whilst I come for free as a not for profit, even where there is no charge for my delivery, there is often a cost to venues and I understand that budgets have to be met. So I walk away from these with absolute certainty that we all did our best and I have seen some individuals move on from both projects and do so well in archery that we can all be proud of that.
The change of season has seen some of the groups that we have to suspend over winter come back out and I love the feeling that we are all happy to see each other again, catching up over arrows and tea, the feeling that summer is around the corner is very welcome.
Week 144 was 2 years and 9 months! It still blows my mind that here I am with my little non profit CIC and that people allow me to introduce them to my sport but also, in some cases, allow me to open doors to other sports. I am a huge believer in the adaptability and inclusivity of my sport which is why I work with such a massive age range but also the very many things that sport can provide an individual not least, getting active.
I was on the radio again this morning talking about just this – find me at 2:10 – 2:17:30 if you wish to listen.
So, to date year 3 stands at 261 + 757 =1,018 individuals with a bow in their hands!
Meaning Integr8archery CIC has in the first 2 years and 9 months put bows in the hands of
2061 + 1873 + 757 =4,691 individuals
I am proud of that number, some days it’s hard work, some days I wonder what I am doing, but then I receive a message from someone that reminds me and I carry on. Last June when I announced the second anniversary stats I said I was going to reduce my hours but all I did was fill them with other things in this sport 😂🫣
As I am now already 4 weeks into the last quarter of my 3rd year I cannot see this “less hours” happening any time soon either 🤷♀️
So let’s move into the outdoor season confident that we will carry on shooting arrows whenever and wherever we can, whilst ever someone wants us to.
THANK YOU for your continued support and see you somewhere soon 🙃❤️🏹
I have managed to carve out some time from everything else to shoot some arrows of my own though which is always good, particularly when the weather has been so very beautiful this week.
Sad that a project I have delivered to for almost the full life of Integr8archery CIC has come to an end, I understand the thinking but it’s been somewhere that I love going to and I have spent time with amazing people and I have seen some young people thrive with a bow in their hands. I wish everyone at DISC and Northamptonshire Carers all the very best as they launch their second location to allow new people to join in their activities.
I have seen the best and worst of people this week in my work and my sport and it reminds me that not everyone follows the belief that we should do things in the right way and that we should be kind. It’s not ok to annihilate a person on social media under the guise of raising awareness, mental health matters and no one has the right to crush another person just because they are upset. There are processes and ways of doing things and even if you want to make something public, do it in the right manner, in this case your issues are with an organisation but you have made it incredibly personal for those that have woken up to find the posts on social media. Not ok!
Next week is another stats sharing week as I will hit another quarter and I am going to plan my calendar for the coming summer as I intend to enjoy shooting my bow and catching up with friends whilst doing some judging. Here’s to some fun this summer.
have a good weekend, spring is officially here so bring on the outdoor season 🥰🌷
I have had some leave from the day job this week and been busy catching up on paperwork and assignments for my study, as always when I take a moment to relax the fatigue really hits hard and so some new bloods have been taken just to check on what’s happening there.
Arrangements have been made for summer delivery, at some of the places that I love sharing time, always feels good to see those in the calendar.
My first session at a new to me residential care home. A lovely group of people and we shot arrows, laughed, chatted and some lovely singing too. I love watching people who think they will be unable to shoot have the opportunity to do exactly that, but also the supportive nature of encouraging each other helps form friendship bonds too. It might be the safest opportunity to move into a shared facility but giving up some independence and leaving behind what you know, must be scary, surrounded by strangers it must be somewhat overwhelming at times, so having activities that help break the ice and keeps you moving can only be a great thing.
This weekend saw the wedding of two of my favourite people, brought into my life through this sport that I love
It’s no secret that I have had struggles within the archery community but I can never regret walking in that red door when I look at some of the very best people I found there 🥰 grateful to have them all in my life, friends who are my family.
surely only the very best weddings have archery there too 😉❤️🏹 congratulations to Ben & Pip 🥂🍾😘 and lovely to catch up with amazing friends 🤗
Busy, busy week but I managed to shoot some arrows myself!
I attended a county development meeting to add my knowledge to the pool, I am grateful to be included as a valuable addition to the group, it was great to sit with like minded people with a shared sense of purpose, I think we all came away feeling it had purpose and a feeling of motivation. I look forward to seeing what the coming months achieve.
This was the latest week for delivery at DISC I love this group and it’s fabulous to hear the news that they have been given funding to work in a second location. Again, something to watch and see what is achieved, hopefully I will be able to help and I am grateful to be given the opportunity to see if I can be involved.
Visit with mum and also dropped in for a brew with the in-laws around a competition that I almost cancelled. I decided that no practice and a shoulder that keeps spasming would not see me stay at home and miss time with friends, I had no interest in the score but measured success on smiling and there was a lot of that.
For my own peace of mind I have decided that though I am eligible to shoot at WOAC until 30/9/25 I have shot my last arrow on that range, I went back for others against my better judgement, knowing that I was risking my mental health and I wish I could say I was wrong but it’s done now. I wish the club and its members the very best and I am blessed that I have amazing friends who I shall always have.
So where will I shoot’s I have chosen the range I will shoot at most often and shall continue to go along to the other 4 where I love to spend frequent time, along with flitting about all over to compete as I have always done. 🥰🏹
This coming week I have a couple of first time groups which I am sure will be great fun. 🤩
I have lots planned over the next month with my daily to do lists written until the 6/4/25 to make it easy on myself to clear lots if things whilst also allowing myself time to chill with some painting, shooting and reading as they have lapsed a little and I deserve to include myself in the thunks to look after.
spring is coming and soon the move outdoors will really kick in – see you all on a range soon 😍
