Event recap

182 weeks = 3 years and 6 months ❤️🏹🥳

Helen Sharpe Anniversaries, Event recap, News, Numbers and stats

when I started Integr8archery CIC in June of 2022 I started writing 2 blogs a week, in part to “chat” over what I was doing with anyone who was interested as I had first volunteered in archery in 2016 and it had grown and grown through various roles and as an Archery GB ambassador from 2019 – 2022 I really set out to show people my sport had a place for everyone, often to those who didn’t realise it and to show that it was also an amazing sport to help change lives, something that I had been told on numerous occasions from 2016 – 2022 when I had put bows in hands and from those I supported to stay in the sport they loved when they faced changes to stay.

My dad was my greatest supporter and every week we would chat about my “little business” and how I was doing, and what I was achieving. He listened to me chat about what had happened in the couple of years before hand and how I now wanted to set up a way to prevent people coming to take my work again or to try and make money from it, my “little business” was very carefully set up as not for profit and as a community interest company anything owned by the company will always belong to the company and I had to nominate a place everything would go if I closed it down because ven in closing it I will not be able to make a profit – he listened to me mull over and decide where to nominate.

Don’t worry I’m not closing down! 😂 I am just explaining for anyone who has only recently come across me and my little CIC. There are others who do similar and I work with some of them, chat over ideas with some other, respect everyone and never throw stones, even at those who speak ill of me and what I do.

A few short days after setting up, dad was diagnosed with terminal illness and as we set about helping him fight for quality time and arranging his plans, Integr8archery CIC became the thing we could talk about every week that had nothing to do with the pain of his illness or the fear of what life would be without him. Boxing Day 2022 marked 6 months of my little company and stars were important as we reflected on what I had achieved so far and was I doing what I set out to do! He was very proud of those numbers and keeping them has become even more important now to allow me to continue to reflect on what my aims were, what I had explained I was trying to do and reflecting on if I am still achieving it. So I publish numbers every 3 months.

So here we are 3 years later, approaching the third anniversary of loosing dad, it always gives me some comfort to be able to update figures again and wonder what he would say, though I do have a pretty good idea, as we talked a lot in those 6 months between diagnosis and him losing his fight, about questions and conversations I might want after he was gone and he did his very best to let me think what he might reply.

Last weekend I took a walk along the Norfolk coast in the cold, brisk wind to look at the seals, something I always love doing, seeing new life and reflecting on the sadness that not all the pups make it. Not sadness just nature and the circle of life, it reminds me that we are all temporary and we can only attempt to do what we can to make a difference whilst we live our days. I have volunteered in many ways for 35 years! The last 29 years to fulfil a promise I made to the universe 29 years ago, to make a difference whilst I can. I am trying my very best to do that always ad thank everyone who supports me and those who help me when I need an ear or extra hands.

So here we go:

As of the last quarter I had put bows in hands of 5568 people since June 2022. These are true numbers the last quarter =

schools :

weekly sessions

52 @ 6 x primary school (1 has stopped for this who notice it was previously 7 schools)

172 @ 14 secondary schools (2 new schools)

plus 78 @ one of events at 3 schools

3 x residential homes – 46

4 community groups – 67 children and 56 adults

72 at colleges

so this last quarter = 543

overall total for the 4th year to date = 1278 to date

added to the first 3 years of 5568 = 6846.

I continue to be awed at how many people trust me to invite me in to do these things, and in addition be allowed to support those who find staying in the sport when faced with change.

I wish you all an amazing 2026 and hope it brings good health and happiness for everyone 🥂
see you on the range out there, my calendar is filling so I know that I will surely enjoy the company of many 🥰

3 years and 3 months 🥳❤️🏹 week – 169 weeks

Helen Sharpe Anniversaries, Event recap, Numbers and stats, Re-published blogs

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. 

 

 

 

Week 141 – new beginnings 🥰

Helen Sharpe weekly update, Event recap

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 🤗

140 weeks, busy but I managed to shoot too 🥰🏹

Helen Sharpe weekly update, Event recap

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 😍

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 121 – success is measured in smiles 😊

Helen Sharpe Event recap, weekly update

The highlight of this week was most definitely my first session at Brampton View Care Home. We have been arranging this for a while and due to work I had to cancel our first arranged date. It was definitely worth the wait, an afternoon spent with a lovely group of ladies. New dates being arranged for the future and I am very much looking forward to it.

As always the day job is extremely busy and so I have had limited time for the last 6 weeks and I work hard at balance, so please bear with me if I don’t have the first date/time you ask for.

In unrelated news I have a date for my wing walk, this is so important to me as it was the last promise I made to dad as he declared that I am “bloody bonkers”. So 27th June 2025 should see me flying attached to the outside of the plane. There will be more about this, likely after Christmas but I am excited for it.

Ongoing projects are going well and it’s amazing to see some of the places who welcomed me in with Integr8archery CIC right at the beginning along with those groups started within the last 6 months really starting to bed in.

So many smiling faces across many groups, I really use smiles as a measure of how we are doing, and I love seeing them.

Thank you for trusting me to introduce you all to my sport, in my opinion it is the best there is ❤️🏹

Weel 114 – some success in my archery and for groups 🏹

Helen Sharpe Event recap, weekly update

After last week’s success at the British Flight Championships, the NCAS regional championships and a successful summer of delivering events to amazing community groups I shot for the county this weekend. I’m not going to lie I was anxious as I hadn’t had chance to practice after the tweaks that we had made, I didn’t even have sight marks, but off I went and I am so very pleased that I did.

Our county squad is one of the most supportive environments you could find yourself in, and I have been fortunate enough to have been part of the squad since my first year shooting in 2018.

The Thoresby is a fantastic regional shoots and I and been lucky enough to take part in previous years, this year was even better, some of us have discussed it and we have no idea what the difference was but we hope it continues. We always have the family feel within each squad but there was most definitely a family feel, that we are all EMAS and though shooting against each other in individual, team and squads the support, laughter and camaraderie across the field was fantastic.

I came away with the bronze medal in my category it most importantly I shot well, I scored well and the whole day felt great, there was consistency in my shooting, though the many videos do confirm some changes which I had believed maybe happening as I tire. Finally the work that Martin and I have put in is coming together and we know what to work on next and I have a lot of optimism about what the indoors and next summer might hold 🤞🏻

When we only get the odd numbers and you hit right in the middle 🫣😂😱 only a 9! I love the long days of 1440’s and Hereford’s but as I can choose to shoot 50+ I shot my first ever Bristol 2 round. Great fun and great company.

Whilst there I had a chat about the plans to start me on my judging journey so hopefully there will be news on that path soon.

Work has been a huge focus for the last week and will be for the coming week at least due to some serious issues that require extra support and hours from all of us. I thank everyone who is being patient with longer than usual delays in replies to communication but I think everyone knows that I will give what I can, when I can and deadlines met.

I have also had some welfare/safeguarding matters that I have had to give priority to, so again please accept my thanks that these have been dealt with over some other matters.

This weekend is my weekend in 4 to work and as ever I will be out of the loop for much of it and I have taken some extra hours to help support what is happening.

Thank you to those who check on me and to those who share their achievements, I love hearing how it’s all going and seeing the photos you share with me ❤️🏹

week 113 – events for me and for others ❤️🏹

Helen Sharpe Joining forces for strength, Event recap, News, weekly update

This has been a crazy busy week, trying to fit everything in has been exhausting but I have pulled it off, I think 🤔

The meetings, online and in person were all attended. Crazy shifts at work all done and emotionally and mentally exhausting they were too. A couple of reviews were completed for existing projects. Plans to move short term to long term for 2 projects, created and discussed and now to get them up and running. The art show/auction attended and proud to have played a tiny part in raising money to enable Off the Streets to fund more bleed kits and I won the silent action for the piece that I had bid on!

Helping others to do their bits for the community is part if what we all do and when I get my desk set up in a few weeks this will be hanging on the wall close by for sure.

Saturday the decision was made to call of the activity session for the seniors group, where we are it was wet and incredibly windy, they had warned the tail end of the hurricane was going to hit but we had tried to remain optimistic 🤗

Sunday saw the National Flight Championships and I had decided to enter only 2 categories for a variety of reasons. In 2021 I came home with 4 golds, in 2022 I came home with two golds, a silver and a bronze. 2023 saw my flight interrupted for incredibly valid reasons. For 2024 I had originally set my goals as beat the 2 county records that I set in 2022 so that the new ones would see my club changed. Also to earn my next raptor badge having earned the Merlin in 2022.

The decision to shoot only 2 categories meant I would only have the chance to break my county record in Target Compound not exceeding 45lb. As I wasn’t going to be shooting the flight recurve bow. Break the county record I did, plus laid down the first of the 2 required distance to earn the kestrel raptor badge.

My little longbow measured in at 19lb which meant she was easily over matched in the Not Exceeding 35lb but I shoot this bow because it makes me smile.

I also ended the day with a silver medal in my compound category – not too shabby!

Monday saw the Northern Counties regional flight and here I achieved the second score I needed to claim my kestrel raptor badge 🥳

I also manage to beat my new county record for my target bow NE 45lb 🥳 excellent news

I am very happy, how could I not be, I am surrounded by amazing friends when I shoot flight and I would never change that! Flight is my most favorite form of archery but I have had to pay for putting my body through all of that 😱🤷‍♀️🫣

Tuesday I would gladly have stayed in bed but I had a session arranged for the amazing young people to have a session @ Kingswood in Corby. Another great session and thanking everyone as always for everyone’s warm welcome each time we come over.

The SEND sessions are an awesome chance for those who, for various reasons, have found other sports/activities are not right for them 🤗

I am incredibly proud of the young people who have helped me deliver the sessions over the summer, all 4 have been amazing 😎 thank you

The pointy sessions have been well attended and it’s been great watching the young people develop confidence with each session.

Without a doubt the theme of the week has been friendship, without it I would certainly have struggled in such a busy week.

Catch up with you all soon ❤️🏹

Week 112 – 26 months – it’s still unbelievable at times 😊

Helen Sharpe weekly update, Event recap

Another week in the bag, lots done too.

The Archery England Federation Cross Badges are almost up to date and it has been awesome seeing people pleased to have them and wearing them, picked up my shirt and hoody so now when I deliver in person I am on brand and I do love delivering in person.

Some planning and reviewing done and some admin, admin is so dull 😂 but I actually enjoy it I think it makes the OCD part of my brain happy 😃

I am currently dealing with 5 different safeguarding cases so please do have some patience as whilst we are looking after everyone these are a priority after my day job!

This week saw me deliver the first session to the group from Support Northampton. On a Saturday there are a group of like minded seniors who come together and try to stay active and also have some social time. These were a lovely group and there was lots of smiles and laughter and soft archery enjoyed by all. As we all know it doesn’t take long for a little competitive edge to kick in and this was no different 😂 but it was also very nice to see them supporting and encouraging each other. I am looking forward to our next session as they have borrowed the kit to deliver to another group, I cannot wait to hear how that went.

It was great to catch up with everyone at the Home Nations Cup and what a great event it was, great to see the fantastic feedback everyone is leaving. Well done to everyone involved.

Managed to spend some time sorting out my bow and very much improved and hopefully will manage a reasonable score at the Thoresby when I shoot for the county, but this weekend is all about flight for me ❤️🏹

Catch you all soon, enjoy the weather as the forecast is a little bit of a rollercoaster 🤞🏻

week 110 – busy, productive and fun 🤩

Helen Sharpe Event recap, weekly update
week 110 – busy, productive and fun 🤩

Tuesday was an excellent day, visiting youth festival at Lilleshall and catching up with friends, supporting some amazing juniors and having some conversations face to face to save some meetings. I took a couple of guests from Kingswood Urban Project too, letting them see our sport up close and in a competitive environment, both assure me they had a great day but also it was a great chance to see the sport I love and am so passionate about through other people’s eyes. Fresh perspectives are always a good way of reviewing what we see.

Some meetings, some confirmation of events allowing things to be firmed in the calendar and a Sunday morning brunch by the canal with archery friends as we put the world to rights – great fun.

DISC soft archery session and to help me and Archie this month the amazing Deb Horne who was visiting for the weekend lent a helping hand, I love this group and though we didn’t get many visitors this week it was nice to share it with a friend.

Despite the day job requiring a lot of my time this week I have kept on top of everything archery related from integr8archery to welfare officer and everything else I do too, thank you to the few people over the weekend who recognised what the last couple of weeks have demanded from me and sent me messages, never expected but always appreciated.

This coming week is mostly meetings, planning and work in the day job, except for Thursday which I have set aside for all things archery but in particular getting in control of the English Federation Crosses for Archery England. I am very much looking forward to get these little bits of shiny progress sent out for the archers to display in whatever way they do. For me it’s my hat, I know many decorate their quivers so I look forward to seeing some photographs of new bling soon.

Have a good week, stay in touch and for anyone who keeps an eye on my patterns for communication my weekend of working has changed to allow my to shoot my flight competitions so I will be working this weekend Friday afternoon until late Sunday evening.