weekly update

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

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

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.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002b08h?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7Lv8Oe_4RS9F2O8D55VGYK0JXeQvWTTcfMm-jUBLEepQosUNFMSnjWPRCfyQ_aem_fLYgbVhw2rPhewBEZxwGSQ

But as is customary at the quarter anniversary I had stats for you

Months 7-9 for year 3 saw

5 x secondary school = 180 individuals

primary schools = 12 individuals

Disability groups = 8 individuals

Women in refuge = 9 individuals

Saturday morning groups = 30 individuals

Seniors in residential settings = 15 individuals

Children in care = 7 individuals

total of 261 individuals with a bow in their hands which if we look at the previous stats

https://integr8archery.com/2024/12/28/week-130-2-and-a-half-years-of-integr8archery-cic-numbers-🥳❤%25EF%25B8%258F🏹

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 🙃❤️🏹

week 142 – time flies 🙃

Helen Sharpe weekly update, Quick catch up

I do not know how time moves so quickly!

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 🥰🌷

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 139! I have. I have no idea where 2025 has gone so far!

Helen Sharpe weekly update, Quick catch up

It’s ok to change plans, to look after yourself first, in fact it’s something that you should do!
sometimes it can make you feel guilty for cancelling a plan, not doing something for someone else and you can limit the explanation that you give, they don’t have a right to know everything all of the time. You have the right to put yourself first and it’s ok to say that!

Lots of work this week and some meetings fitting in around shifts, loved the productivity of the NCAS meeting and the enthusiasm of doing the best for the county. Like minded people together can always achieve so much.

safeguarding has played a big part in my time over the last few weeks and it does mean that some things have had to wait but anyone who knows me understands that safeguarding is the absolute first priority so I don’t apologise for this!

A quick check in on projects is showing that things are going well and there are lots of people, predominantly school children having fun with arrows. As the weather is picking up other groups will come back on line over the next few weeks and I am looking forward to catching up with the amazing folks at DISC this coming weekend, I love these sessions.

over the next couple of weeks I have a chunk of annual leave and will be catching up on lots of things and I have plans for shooting and attending a wedding! Lots of catching up with friends too, so hopefully by the 12/3/25 everyone waiting for anything should have what they want from me 🙃

enjoy the weekend and do let me know how you are doing, I enjoy hearing your news.

week 138 – flying by!

Helen Sharpe Quick catch up, weekly update

Some great shooting time this week on the practise range and in competition, after several weeks of nursing recovery and dealing with the behaviours of others, being forced to step away from a club for my own mental health, it has felt amazing!

lots arranged for the coming weeks from shooting to delivering to new and existing projects, judging and pretty much most things archery related.

safeguarding matters have been taking up time which I will always give but at the moment a lot of it seems to be simply about not being mindful of others, really no excuse for it, we don’t all have to be friends but we can just respect each other.

very busy with work and studying and I am enjoying some of it, maybe not all of it!

along with a couple of really interesting volunteer roles that have come my way and I love the idea of both, but in reality I have to spend some time planning my time to see if I could make anything work, I cannot do something and not give it my best.

Busy weekend coming up with some extra shifts to help out at work and some shooting planned. Whatever you are doing, enjoy it and have fun.

Week 137 – training and settling ☕️📝

Helen Sharpe weekly update, Quick catch up

Not very much I can put in here for this week but I have been busy!

Safeguarding meetings, training and a bit of archery and catching up with friends whilst taking a young person to watch some competition ❤️🏹

I am completing my final classroom days of my Advanced Child Sexual Exploitation Practitioner course and so focusing on the assignments and preparing for my presentation on Thursday.
I have completed the Safegaurding in a Digital World course with iNeqe as part of my course and this seems particularly fitting considering that today is safer internet day.

I have some dates in my judging calendar and that is making me smile! Very much looking forward to getting it all underway.

Some meetings this week to start making some plans for a couple of new projects that sound very exciting, small groups of people who think there’s no activity for them, restricted by different things, I do love sharing activity with them and seeing them enjoy it.

See you all soon, who knows I might even get the chance to ring my bow and shoot!

Week 136 – planning and training and some change 🤗

Helen Sharpe weekly update, Quick catch up

I always love the opportunity to shoot with my children, and I have received some great photos of Rose and I from our session with friends on Saturday 🥰🏹

I have spent the week planning, planning, planning. Some groups that stopped for the winter looking to restart in spring, I cannot wait to catch up with the people I haven’t seen for the winter months and hear how they all are. Added to that new groups that haven’t shot before – always exciting. Meetings to discuss new ideas for getting people active who think that sport is out of their reach, always gets me excited.

Now that I have been given the all clear to pick up my bow again, myself and a group of like minded friends we consider to be family have made long term plans to shoot regularly and we had a great time on Saturday. We were even joined by a surprise friend who was back at the field following a period of health issues, great to see him well and shooting.

I had a lovely night out with friends at AOR, always nice to have the chance to spend social time with archers and chat off the field.

This week has seen lots of support for Team Sharpe from friends across the county and beyond after several weeks of issues saw us, as a family, step down from a number of volunteer positions at a club, sad and certainly not how we had wanted things to turn out, but what will be, will be.

I have completed my Contextual Safeguarding- taking it forward course, with the Ivison Trust, another great session spent with like minded individuals who all have the same interests in keeping young people safe in today’s world.

Safeguarding – if you know me at all you know how very important this is to me. As a safeguarding officer I currently have 12 cases/complaints that I am dealing with, some are low level and the urge to bang heads together can be significant. However I have a significant case that I have been dealing with for several years, and there is light at the end of the tunnel, I can see things happening, if safeguarding guidance changes it might feel inconvenient but I know it’s due to change being needed and if you haven’t seen anything then be grateful for that, do not become part of the problem.

I have 2 dates in my judging calendar, both exciting and nervous at the same time but very much looking forward to them.

This coming weekend is my weekend for working so as you know I will not be able to reply to most things until Monday, next week is my last week of classroom days for the Advanced Child Sexual Exploitation Practitioners course and so will again restrict the amount of availability I have but I think you will understand why I think this it’s important.

Have a good week and I do love hearing what you are all getting up to ❤️🏹

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 134 – a day early but hey ho 😜

Helen Sharpe Blog with a message, weekly update

Tomorrow is week 134 but the next few days are crazy busy so instead of being late again I am doing this week a day early!

The last week has been crazy – classroom days for my Level 4 course, meetings with counties and officers who need support, with groups I work with to deliver archery, and 2 days at lilleshall with regions, home nations and archery GB. An incredibly productive week and now to mostly wait to see if we can keep the momentum going 🤞🏻

More than 1 person has asked me about the EMAS chair role, in all honesty I don’t want it, I don’t have the time! On Saturday at Telford I quoted “if you want something doing give it to a busy person” and I meant it. That room was full of people who wear multiple hats both in and outside of our sport. So I was asked to list what I do – here you go!

  • * I am me, that takes a lot of time! Full of quirks and issues – PTSD and Disabilty and a dark sense of humour! But trying to make the world a better place!
  • * I am a mother of 2 – a 15 year old and a 19 year old. They are amazing and we are a team, taking care of each other.
  • * I am an archer, blessed to be able to shoot for the county and an amazing squad.
  • * Integr8archery Club – chair and 1 of the 2 Safegaurding and welfare officers.
  • * Wellingborough Open Archery Club – safeguarding and welfare officer, second seat currently vacant
  • * Ebbsfleet Academy Archery Club – safeguarding and welfare officer
  • * Archus Archery Club – safeguarding and welfare officer
  • * East Midlands Archery Society (EMAS) – safeguarding and welfare officer
  • * EMAS representative (1 of 2) for Archery England
  • * Administrator of English Federation Cross Awards for Archery England
  • * Stepped up to become a Candidate Judge with EMAS
  • * Interim Safeguarding and welfare officer with Nottinghamshire Archery Society
  • * Integr8archery CIC – director/owner – 2 and a half year and bows in the hands of 4691 people!
  • * Northamptonshire Federation of Disability Sport – vice chair
  • * Senior Residential Support Worker in children’s residential care for Northampton Children’s Trust – including EDI officer
  • * Warhammer Hobbyist

If you think I have time to take on anything else then I will have to politely disagree with you! I might even sugggest that you become a volunteer 🙂

This coming week?
I had my latest meeting with the Sports Welfare Officers, discussing what I want to achieve and their support.
I have a meeting with NFDS, visit with a friend who has left the sport and wants helping selling their kit, a day of celebration for a friend with some awesome plans to make the day special, privileged to be asked to join him, a day shadowing judges at competition. Work, lots of work 😉

I will answer emails etc when I can but I have a big week ahead and I love what I do so look at the list of what that is, but please do not be asking me to add more roles because a line does have to be drawn somewhere 🫣😘

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