News

8 weeks, big decisions and hard work but here we are!

Helen Sharpe Joining forces for strength, News, weekly update

8 weeks! This still feels unreal, but here we are.

So, I had to cancel 2 events whilst I was away after being let down and this never sits well with me. I am trying to make arrangements to provide something for the children who have missed out, so hopefully more to come on that in the future.

10 days at Lilleshall didn’t see me stop work on the projects. A meeting with a manufacturer regarding a prototype item that both Integr8Archery and someone else wants, sees that hopefully coming soon, but also a number of other items discussed along with some input (gratefully received), of volunteers sat with us sees several new ideas for new reactive bosses. Those who know me well know how difficult I find it to sit when I am waiting so please remember that 😂 – sorry, not sorry!!!

A chat with the National Governing Body regarding the pilot we had previously built for a new kind of club, just because the original plan has failed because people have stepped away doesn’t mean the plan has fallen apart, and they have given permission for Integr8Archery club to form and run the pilot.

Lots of conversation with my friend Deb Horn, as we have been talking for weeks, sees several collaborations starting and she will also be trying the new club plan, we have each found ourselves at the same point but from different starting places. Excitingly sharing the next step as we each aim for non profit ways to put bows in the hands of children.

Conversations with a number of people around funding for different things, all very positive and I am very optimistic about what we might be able to do.

Just in case that wasn’t enough I had some conversations around the thoughts that I have had about bringing my long held plans to start judging at 50 forward and the amazing amount of knowledge shared with the fantastic team of judges I was caring for certainly helped me with the thinking, for which I am grateful.

To relax a little yesterday we had our latest arts and crafts archery session, this sees us shoot to create tie dye shirts, always exciting and we always get fantastic results. Thank you as ever to Fii for doing the organising.

Right, off to sort the emails, stay safe and shoot strong.

Rushing towards week 8!

Helen Sharpe News, weekly update

A day late but I think that can be forgiven considering how I have spent my recent days.

This week has been amazing, there is no secret that I lost my way, it was taken quite dramatically but with the care and support of amazing people I am finding my way forward.

Seeing all of the juniors from across Europe this week has only fuelled that, talking to other teams and hearing that we all seem to have the same issues wherever we are makes me want to create what change I can and there’s certainly a lot that needs doing. But together we will do it.

Meetings with manufacturers and discussions about prototype products, the National Governing Body and how we move our collaborations forwards and after weeks of conversations with a friend with the same aims and similar work, definitely a collaborative team effort to move forward.

I am proud of what I have achieved by setting up my little company and being given the status that will mean I get to protect it going forward.

Now the work really begins – lets do this!

And those who know me well, know my long term plan was always to grow up and be a judge, conversations in recent weeks to consider bringing this goal forward, see my intentions cemented after 10 days with a group of judges who have encouraged and shared knowledge – archery is a community and you are never amongst strangers. I am passionate about my sport, that is something no one can take away from me, try as they did.

Thank you to everyone who has given me even the smallest support in the last 9 months, it’s been stormy and it’s not passed yet, but we will do amazing things together.

7 weeks – a day late – sorry !

Helen Sharpe News, weekly update
European Youth Championships 2022

Firstly apologies for this being a day late, I am away volunteering at Lilleshall and I am not sat still for long. It is, however a great time, with great archery friends supporting each other whilst we pull off what has so far been a fantastic event. 
I am looking after the judges and they are a great bunch of people from all over Europe and prove again that our sport can create the feeling that we all belong to one big family.

If you want to consider volunteering at these events please take a look at the ArcheryGB page for more information.

This week has still been busy despite me being away for much of it.

A meeting with the new county who are looking to launch the education project in their area, sees us having possibly 31 schools who wish to consider being part of the first wave as a pilot. Equally amazing and exciting. 

Talks with new suppliers and manufacturers around what we want, both existing items and the development of new products. 

There have been some disappointments this last couple of days too, but I shall cover those in greater detail in my mid-week update as I am shattered and have another packed day tomorrow. 

stay safe, speak soon – and I will answer lots of emails tomorrow, if you are waiting on something.

Thank you to Malcolm Rees for the photgraphs – as always – great images

Another week whizzing by!

Helen Sharpe News, weekly update
So a quick round up of this week. Busy busy busy! The new county I am working with are up to 21 schools who are interested and things are moving swiftly – very exciting. Very much a testament to what a group of like minded people can achieve together! Similarly , 9 new schools are working towards what we might do together in Northamptonshire. As ever I was disappointed to have to cancel an event on Friday but the coach tested positive for Covid in the morning and I would much rather be safe.

So, here I am ending my week by starting 10 days at Lilleshall volunteering at the European Youth Championships, an event that we have all been waiting for as it was one of the many impacted by the pandemic. I have recommended before, and I will do so often, volunteering is hugely rewarding and many sports wouldn’t function without people giving up their time. You don’t have to be crazy enough to give 20-30 hours a week like me 😜 or to make a business of it, though I am proud to have been signed off a social enterprise, community interest company, which I did suggest makes me a professional volunteer I think?
If you want to come and watch the finals, there’s still time to buy your tickets, take a look on the Archery GB website.

6 weeks and I am now the director of a ” community interest company ” !!!!

Helen Sharpe Anniversaries, Announcement, News, weekly update

So, here we are, 6 weeks from deciding I needed to grab what I wanted or certainly what I knew I could continue alone, from the work I had been doing for several years, work I am passionate about and believe in. I have collaborated in that time and will continue to do so with like minded people, but now who I am, what l have already achieved and what I think I can still achieve is clearly laid out and is protected for the future. (As for the projects I have had to step away from? Maybe the future will see me involved, maybe it wont – we can only wait and see, they are all work that I believe in and have worked hard on).

The government have, on my third submission, accepted all of the outlines and explanations and can now clearly see my plan and have registered my limited guarantee, social enterprise, community interest company – or CIC for short!

28/6/22 to 8/8/22 – I am proud of what I have achieved so far.

Thank you to every one who has shown support to me since 22/11/21 and especially in the last 3 months.

Never do I take anyone for granted and I certainly wouldn’t have found my feet without you all.

So what else has happened this week?

Conversations with 2 new schools, plans with existing schools, communication with a new county, and the beginnings of my own archery club!

Emails sent to AGB, my first meeting with my new club committee and the early conversation with the county. Eek! not a step I expected to have to consider but necessary.

First shirt order sent off – excited to see them being worn on ranges in several areas of the country soon. Thank you to everyone who has ordered one.

Also the bookings for my first 3 flight archery workshop presentations – exciting! More news to follow on flight in the coming weeks and months but the first competition of the season sees me earn my masters classification in flight archery!

Just aheads up, Friday I shall be off to Lilleshall for 10 days of volunteering at the European Youth Championships – I will be answering emails but not as quickly as I might ordinarily.

A little bit different as we head towards week 6

Helen Sharpe Blog with a message, News, weekly update

This mid week post is a little different and it’s not often this kind of post will occur but it is my website and I think it’s important to remember some things.

Though I started volunteering at the age of 16 it wasn’t until I was 21 that I made a promise to myself that if I came through an horrifying event, that I would spend my life trying to make a difference in some way.

As I was experiencing my own trauma I recalled two years earlier sitting at work early in my civil service career, listening to the mother of Suzy Lamplugh talk to us about the importance of keeping ourself safe and thinking how I had let her down.

It is the 35th anniversary of the disappearance of Suzy and her parents used their experience to help others by creating the Suzy Lamplugh Trust . This was my first real awareness that some people use terrible events to create something positive . Something I always stand in awe of.

If you have read the pages of my website you will have seen my page regarding knife crime and the national anti violence campaign . How I recently joined off the street in their march, our starting point was the location where the most recent fatal stabbing had occurred just last year. I was privileged to meet Dylan’s family and also other families who have suffered tragedy through senseless acts of violence. This week saw the conclusion of the trial into Dylan’s death and I am painfully reminded that we need to do more to give our young people an alternative place to belong than gangs – that place could be in sport .

So as I sit here worrying about if I am good enough to do my bit to make a difference – it’s ok to be a little bit scared and excited about my new path and the achievements both small and large .

I am again thankful to those who are like minded and want to make a difference too and whether we can work together or simply support each other to achieve our aims then this week has surely reminded me of why we are trying .

5 weeks!!!! How time is flying !!!

Helen Sharpe News, weekly update

As I sit here and look back at the last 5 weeks and what I have achieved I am simply amazed!! If ever there was a time in my live where not sleeping was useful – this would definitely be it!!!!

But looking forward I am so excited about the things planned , the works in progress and some very big decisions I have made this last week and the amazing people who have agreed to step into those with me!!
It’s definitely a case of watch this space over the coming weeks!! As the future begins to take shape.

I made myself a promise 27 years ago about what I would do with my life, and after so many years of giving in a variety of ways, I might finally have my path to fulfil that promise, clearly laid out in front of me, mine to control and to work with who I want, when I want, in order to achieve our goals together – like minded people can achieve amazing things!!!

This week has been about paperwork , emails and telephone calls, so nothing exciting to report until I can tell you what I have been able to arrange and that will start soon.

So whilst I keep those things quiet just for a little bit longer I shall thank everyone who has played any part in the last 5 years , the last year but especially the last 5 weeks – because your support and the time you give to listen to me is never taken for granted .

It’s been a month!!! wow – where did that go????

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

28/6/22 – With the help of people who believe in me, I put out my idea of how to move forward after weeks of crying about what was happening, and within 12 hours we had come up with a name, I had the most amazing logo and a plan.

24 hours later with the help of a couple of people who proved they had buckets of patience – I had the makings of my website.

Fast forward a month I have taken on and fulfilled some new events , I have tidied up existing projects , moved them forward, and I am creating huge new relationships.

I am currently working on a possible 8 primary schools and two secondary schools in Northamptonshire. 3 events for the summer holidays and working with 2 groups who are new to Integr8Archery.

Along with partnering with a new county that so far has a possible 12 primary schools and 5 secondary schools.

This week? So far I have been to Lilleshall for 2 days of the youth festival to support some juniors who’s parents reached out to see if I could go over and, whilst there , had some productive conversations with people at Archery GB around a number of things, which may lead to me being on some new working groups later in the year.

I am incredibly grateful to have had people support me and look at different things with me, never do I take any of it for granted.

Hopefully in the next few weeks some things I am working on in the background will be in a position to have me make some announcements – so I am still excited and nervous – but now I am also a little bit brave and a little bit proud!!! Oh and as always I am winging it 🤪😂 every single day!!!

4weeks! so much has happened in 4 weeks!!

Helen Sharpe News, weekly update
Rosecroft Lower School

So its now 4 weeks since I made the decision to make a permanent way as to how to proceed with the projects and work that I have been doing for several years.

In that time I have pulled together 5 years worth of data and contacts and continued to run events. Created new contacts and applied to have Integr8Archery made into a community interest company – I should hear about that in the next couple of days.

Summer holiday projects planned this week, exciting as these are new groups and it will be interesting to see what these become.

Steps are moving swiftly forward from that first meeting 2 weeks ago with Leicestershire and the first session for an archery taster has seen another school express an interest in getting archery in their school.

Julie has written a report on her first half term in school –

“ After 2 years being stored in the PE cupboard, Roecroft Lower School in Bedfordshire, finally used their soft arrows archery equipment. 14 excited children on the enrichment programme, along with 2 sessions coaches part funded by the archery in education project, stood on the line and shot their first arrows. The progress they made in five weeks was amazing with some hopefully planning to join a local archery club.”

Sliding towards 4 weeks!!

Helen Sharpe Event recap, News

So as we slide towards the end of week 4 it’s been another busy week.

Lots of new contacts for new groups wanting us to provide sessions for them. I am very grateful to the people who share our details after enjoying what we deliver with them.
Some exciting things happening over the summer holidays as a result… .. Watch this space to see what we do for them – exciting!

Congratulations to Julie Speltinckx who was one of the sessions coaches I part funded through the Archery in Education project, and who, after helping with the out of school setting group in Northamptonshire, has trusted in herself, and started her school group who have had a great beginning over the last several weeks and have now broken up for the summer holidays. It will be great to see what happens for them from September.

On top of that I have been arranging my couple of days at the youth festival after being asked to go and support some amazing juniors and, of course, preparing for my extended week volunteering at the European championships in just a couple of weeks.

But for today, it’s paperwork and showing you my shirts! So here they are…..!!

I love them and cannot wait to get my first order so I can be wearing them. So grateful to Neil for taking the information I gave him, giving me 8 designs, letting me tweak things and here we go – the two I have chosen with the help of my team selected to share ideas and opinions.