Sorry there was no mid-week blog drop but I was busy and exhausted š“
The last competition of the year for Archery GB is in the bag and as always an amazing weekend, itās always a pleasure to help put these events on, though everyone I have ever done has a moment somewhere when I question my sanity and wonder why I am not at home with my pjs on š«£š and this was no exception. The juniors always blow me away and it was a privilege to spend my Sunday agenting for 2 different youngsters during the day. Proud of both of them ā¤ļøš¹
Today is International Volunteer Day – I have volunteered since I was 16 years old and in the intervening years I have done many, many things but can honestly say that I havenāt hated any of them. Some may have had moments when I wondered what the heck I was doing but thereās been nothing I wouldnāt do again.
All fit within the areas of accessibility and provision of opportunity in sport, education, safeguarding, creating change – particularly around violence and inclusion, and supporting families to have their best chances.
Thinking of giving volunteering ago? Go for it! There are so many things you could do, some from the sofa! Whatās your reason for not giving it a go? I wouldnāt recommend the amount that I do – around 25-30 hours a week, but itās too late for me now š I canāt work out what to stop and I am considering new challenges as we sit here š¤·āāļø as Jack always says I am donkey from Shrek š
Anyway have a think, pull on a hi viz vest or a volunteer shirt and have a blast š„°
Well itās been a busy week of CPD related training in safeguarding and disability delivery. I do enjoy multi sport sessions that take subjects and make us think from different view points, sharing thoughts and ideas and everyone leaving feeling motivated.
Speaking of motivation, my employer asked people to consider if we would sign up to be White Ribbon UK ambassadors and champions. They are working to words the organisational accreditation. Reading the values and aims it was an easy decision and I submitted my application, yesterday I received notification that I have been accepted and can now announce that I am a White Ribbon UK champion. Particularly well timed as the 25th November had seen me take part in the reclaim the night event in Northampton, always a touching and motivating event hosted by Northampton Rape Crisis team.
This is a topic that we all see on some level but I see in a variety of areas of my life. I am always inspired by the sessions we host for ladies in refuge and like wise the sessions hosted for the various youth groups where individuals have experienced violence in some form.
Now I shall start the conversation regarding how we will make the difference to create lasting change.
Lots of preparation being done to get the school and club back up and running which feels immensely promising and getting us back on track there.
I have spent some time this week supporting archers who had reached out and asked me to go along and talk some things over, I love catching up with those I havenāt seen for a while so thank you for asking me along.
lots happening this week, not least the volunteering for the indoor nationals so I look forward to seeing some of you there.
Disability and inclusion are massively important and huge drivers for me. Though it never fails to astound me at the lack of support and understanding shown by some.
When we came to this sport as a family we were worried about how epilepsy would be viewed and we were surprised at the incredibly warm welcome we received. The support he and we, as a family received helped Jack settle quickly and thrive in the sport he loved.
We did see examples in other places of archers not receiving the support that we had and it was important to me that this was clearly an area that needed work. It was the main reason myself and Jack became ambassadors for AGB, explaining that inclusion and diversity were my reasoning and the areas that I wanted to focus on. Ensuring that those who want to try our sport receive a warm welcome with necessary adaptations but also supporting those within it who need to adapt and change to stay.
The key part to anyone in this sport is being treated as an individual, no two people are the same, and we need to be treated accordingly.
I see amazing examples of exactly this, and I try to ensure that coaches who I work with do exactly this. It is why I signed up to the Childrenās Coaching Collaborative last year and signed my pledge at the launch of the Play their Way campaign.
At the weekend I was thanked for how I spent time patiently introducing a young person to archery, he was non verbal and instructions needed to be adapted, we had a great time and we shot lots of arrows. Communication should be adapted for everyone, non verbal does not mean lack of understanding or that the person canāt communicate in other ways.
I also spent time in another setting with a wheelchair archer who has some issues with confidence following comments made by other archers suggesting that she has been shooting inaccurately and that she should have known this, unsure how if no one ever explained it? But that the wording and implications were suggestive that being physically disabled is linked to issues with understanding instructions.
Why people cannot be careful with words is something I have never understood and that so many do not understand the damage words and tone can do is beyond me! I also donāt understand why a person who says something damaging never realises and therefore take responsibility, apologise and fix the matter.
Everyone deserves the right to be treated with respect and as an individual, disability brings a variety of challenges that can create boundaries and challenges without the additional burden of having to worry about how coaches or other people may speak to them.
Be kind, it doesnāt take a lot of effort surely.
Some time ago whilst collaborating I had a discussion about how we measure success, itās not all about medals and bling and we have to pay particular attention to the individual, their challenges, goals and achievements. I was asked to write something for the website that was being set up to explain as it was believed that for many, it is about ranking and bling.
For me it can be many things. My PTSD creates serious anxiety and agoraphobia, daily I have to build up the strength to step over the threshold to take me outside the house. Every day! Itās one of the reasons that I like routine and structure but also to be busy.
If we go back, before the world of shopping online for everything, the longest I stayed in the house and didnāt leave was almost 10 months. Luckily my GP at the time gave me the support I needed to learn techniques to help me. There are still days though when my head is busy with overthinking and I slip and the work to get me outside is huge.
This weekend I had plans, all in my calendar, get home from work Saturday morning, off to LBAC to drop off my bow and cams and shoot a little, over to AOR to shoot a Portsmouth scored round and get everything ready for Sunday – my first indoor competition of the 23/24 season.
However an email Friday pushed all my anxiety to the front, off to work I went, but Saturday, once home I didnāt want to leave, not a surprise and so began the battle. Eventually I did leave the house and took my bow and cams to LBAC, I deliberately didnāt take my other bow so no shooting. A catch up with friends helped my mood a little but the anxiety and the delays created meant no scored round. Sunday morning? Seriously struggled to leave the house, a million excuses to stay at home, safe. However Rose was going to this competition and there would be friends there, so I accepted the offer of a lift from Paul and dragged myself there. No expectations as I had failed to do the prep this week and I am still dealing with the decision over the future of my release aid.
My PB for a Portsmouth is 548 – scored several times, so close to that next elusive Portsmouth badge of 550! I had sat down Wednesday to consider a realistic expectation and a challenging goal. So I set up at Green Dragon Bowmen with 2 scores in mind – 450 and 500.
My boss buddy was welcoming and we had a friendly session chatting about the sport and our experiences. I saw friends I expected to see, made new ones and saw some friends I hadnāt seen for a while who I hadnāt expected to see. I enjoyed the session and was incredibly happy to finish with a score of 528, had I not had a miss with a shoulder spasm I would have been close to my PB! So much better than I had hoped for.
However, the other unexpected gains from the day were conversations, about disability and adaptations or considerations that can improve their experiences. People that I didnāt know asking about Integr8Archery and the work that I do because they have seen references to me on social media, lots of positive feedback based on peopleās thoughts on the projects. So by the time we left my head space was significantly improved over the last couple of days and I had some thoughts about how to improve things in regards to my release.
Top off the day with news that I had managed gold, unexpected but welcome news and a raffle prize! Perfect end to a day that starting with me almost not leaving the house š± The medal isnāt the measure of my day, itās the ability I had to follow my process despite having to keep coming down during the shot routine as I repeatedly lost sensation in my fingers. Careful and controlled process got me that score. I am lucky to have friends who support me and who help me answer questions and find solutions as I continue my journey to shoot for as long as I can ā¤ļøš¹
Busy week ahead with planning meetings and some training but I will update on those at the weekend. Take care of yourselves š¤
My memory feed shows that it was a year ago that I explained things needed to be fluid for a while as I needed to put family first. I was going to be spending frequent time with my dad and family as we prepared to loose him. I didnāt have a time frame but I would warn you when I would be unavailable and keep you informed so you knew when I would be slower at answering. You were all amazing and that has continued ever since. I have long term family commitments and I keep you informed – thank you for always paying attention.
To allow me to do everything I need to the day job allowed me to condense my every other weekend into 1 in every 4, this works fantastically for my family commitments but also has great benefits for me and the young people I work with. It means for 56 hours over 3 days I am pretty much not available for you all.
You have blown me away, you donāt make demands, the messages I get over those weekends are checking on me or letting me know about your achievements or silly photos from ranges – I donāt take it for granted that for the most part people know Integr8Archery CIC is me, no one else here to run it and you understand that the 25-30 hours a week I give are as a volunteer who has a demanding full time job, family commitments, my own archery and I do some occasional volunteering in other places.
So thank you, itās not much but itās all I can say. I am grateful for all of you and the support you give me.
The last few weeks have been tough, thereās so much going on for me that though recently tempted to explain in summary, I wonāt at this time and thank you Ben for being my sounding board. Dealing with a significant safeguarding issue for over 3 years can be draining and hard at times not to scream publicly at the world but maybe weāll get there eventually.
Issues at the club are close to resolved with repairs being completed so hopefully things will be back on track soon, I never understand what people gain from deliberately damaging or destroying things that belong to others and this is no different to any other example.
Event planning moving forward for lots of things in 2024 so I am going to be busy for a while š
Have a good week and see you soon, looking forward to shooting some arrows this weekend and happy to see some competitions starting to fill my indoor calendar ā¤ļøš¹
Well itās been quite the week! I think the people who spoke with the NGB may have mis-judged the outcome because for those I support through what is happening which triggered my comment on my private, closed space have seen the threat to me a a rallying cry! I took a lot of calls over the weekend to discuss my next steps but also what they were prepared to do to support me and also what their next steps are in their battles for the truth. The next few weeks and months could be very interesting and I have some decisions to make myself.
Whilst all of that was going on I have continued with everything else because life doesnāt stop. Meetings, webinars and some conversations around some events. Plus a couple of reviews for exiting projects. All exciting and positive. I never cease to be amazed at Integr8Archery CIC is achieving and itās most definitely something that I am incredibly proud of. Is it hard to sit on the outside alone? Absolutely! At the same time it means that whatever is being achieved is honest and focusing on the goals. I am proud to be achieving my not for profit community aims. Money takes away the focus on doing what I do for others and giving.
Excited that I have my new cams and canāt wait to get my bow back up and running and ready for 2024. This is my solid weekend where thereās no shooting as I literally am on house from 14:30 Friday to 22:30 Sunday, but definitely worth it for the time it gives me with family focus and how I get to commit to shooting for the following 3 weekends. Without a doubt my job is demanding and exhausting but I have never had something that feels less like I am dragging myself into work. Definitely made the right choice there.
November starts tomorrow so those who know me well know I will scatter awareness for Epilepsy awareness, a subject deeply important to me. Itās also when we have the annual reclaim the night event and as usual I will be attending as I believe itās incredibly important and certainly something I experience the impact of on a daily basis. If you can join an event local to you I would definitely encourage it. Without a doubt one of the most moving things you can experience is the naming of the women killed in the last year with the end note of how many additional names there will be before the year ends.
Enjoy your week, stay safe in the forecasted storm and catch you on a range soon.
Sorry itās late, I started work at 14:30 Monday and finished at 15:30 Tuesday, nothing unusual there but then I headed straight north to pick up mum and come home ready to take her to the airport Wednesday morning. We ended up spending most of Wednesday sat on the m25! But all worth it as I have had the news that mum has arrived safely in Australia to visit with my sister.
My question today is do you look after yourself as well as you look after your archery kit? I know I donāt and I suspect few people actually do. We appreciate that out kit needs care to ensure it performs to itās fullest potential yet seem to expect ourselves to just get on, we ignore symptoms of physical illness and mental health issues, so I just wanted to ask you all to take a look at yourself and be truthful do you need to do something to get yourself in the best shape? If you do please take the time.
I think of dad daily but this last week or so heās been especially in my mind as I think of how a year ago we were all preparing to gather and spend as much time as we could together as we knew it was going to be limited in time before we had to say goodbye, he knew he wasnāt well, he kept going back, he repeatedly stated he believed it was cancer (not an unusual worry with our family history), but the answers they gave were not unreasonable. However it took months to get the correct diagnosis and when he did it was too late. He tried to be here as long as he could but we only had 6 and a half months following his diagnosis.
We donāt hold grudges or blame anyone, but we do desperately want everyone to think about if they are well and do they need to check. I have mentioned it before and every now and then will remind you, if you arenāt well – you need to be. Dadās story was published by the hospice and I shall share it again.
He loved to chat and hear how things were going with my ālittle businessā and was always proud of the time I give to others, he is one of the reasons you get my blog updates, I can no longer share with him but I can continue to share with everyone else.
Look after yourself the same as you look after your kit! And for those who donāt look after their kit – sort that too š
What has happened this last week, planning mostly, a couple of webinars and some meetings. Exciting new collaborations on the horizon and some new groups looking to start work with me. Three coaches who have approached me to ask to do some work where I might need them and some volunteers who have asked if they can give time to Integr8Archery. Excellent š
I was told I should quit my sport, taking part in it, sharing it, taking it to those who havenāt tried it. I didnāt, but I did quit on me instead. Luckily others didnāt.
I still wobble but I look back on this last 68 weeks and I am proud of what I have achieved. I canāt always achieve what I want, and some things are paused whilst I work on solutions. This week has shown me I might be close to a few answers š¤š»š¤š» itās also been a week of planning for the future. Dates going in the calendar for 2024, training – some significant starting in the next couple of weeks, events, new groups, existing groups but itās making the sunshine as the winter approaches and the temperatures drop. Exciting!
I need to pick up my bow, avoiding it and the changes isnāt helpful and I need to grasp that š«£and get on with it. I have goals I am not going to get close to without shooting arrows. I have withdrawn from the last competition I had planned for outdoors though as I canāt see me getting what I need to hit the goal I set in March but what itās shown me is how very much stronger I am mentally. I am disappointed but not devastated – I will take it.
First aid in emergency situations renewed today, interesting doing CPR with the hand thatās not working but I did it so thatās another positive!
Short but sweet, thatās it for this week, a couple of long days ahead so be patient please as I work towards getting to the weekend and answering whatever the week brings me. Have a good week folks ā¤ļøš¹
Lots of planning bubbling away for existing and new groups and I love sitting with people who donāt realise how adaptive our sport is and how easy it is to make it work in so many ways.
School groups are nicely back and settled and I am hearing lots of positive things so thatās all great stuff.
At the age of 13 my English teacher handed me a copy of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and I became absorbed in the book and the conversations and discussions we would have about what I was reading. I recall being amazed that whilst my teacher gave me this and we delved deep into it, at the time it was released many schools set out to ban it from their shelves. I thank my teacher for sharing the book and I have read all of her others and her poetry is one of several books that I often pick up to read when I have a window of time to loose myself and I have favourite quotes of hers that I scatter through things.
“If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.ā Maya Angelou
Today is also World Mental Health Day. I make no secret of my battles with mental health, I am grateful for the peace my sport can help me find, the calm, quiet time on the range is a blessing. Please do look after yourself you are important and if you need support ask for it. Mind is a great starting place and there are other organisations out there some I know better than others.
I have a rest day today and I have lots of things to do but I am going to take my coffee and my book and sit in nature for an hour, I deserve the time to breathe. Looking after yourself is not a luxury.
On Friday as I dashed about at the beginning of a long weekend of work with 56 hours on house I was made aware of .International Smile Day. Harvey Ball created the smiley face in 1963 but became concerned with the commercialisation of his symbol and created this day to remind us all that the smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion.Ā Harveyās idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we.Ā He declared that theĀ first Friday in October each yearĀ would henceforth be World Smile DayĀ® and the first was held in 1999. The idea is that a small act of kindness can make someone smile. If you know me you know that this is something I truly believe and try to achieve daily.
As many of you know October is breast cancer awareness month and wear it pink will be on 20th October. I am grateful for the care I received from the unit at Kettering General Hospital several years ago. Please take the time to check your health and remember men can and do also suffer from this.
The other subject I feel itās important to highlight and you are aware I do is October is also used to highlight Domestic Violence an area that I have worked in for many many years and I enjoy the time I have been allowed to use Integr8Archery to show how sport can help with mental health, confidence and to allow new friendships to be formed in a safe and supportive environment by working with some amazing people in refuge.
Week 65 meant a year and 3 months and I had so many things I wanted to say and I wanted to share with someone I couldnāt. 10 months now without my weekly chat with dad about Integr8Archery, plans, hopes, updates etc. He was always awesome in listening and talking and enjoying updates.
Sunday was awesome for seeing my shirts on the shooting line, and county championship medals worn with them ā¤ļøš¹
Also a great time to catch up with friends, some archers, some coaches, some friends made through the sport, lots and lots of hugs. As a child I was taught the importance and power of a hug and many people know I scatter them around. Lots of supportive hugs that are a celebration of what we have achieved in various battles and also of acknowledging the battles still to come.
People have asked again what the purpose is of Integr8Archery CIC, it is to help bring our amazing sport to people yet to try it, to support those in it who want to stay but are struggling in various ways, to ensure and promote the inclusion, diversity and equality whilst showing how incredibly adaptive it is, enabling access for everyone. This is why the club was set up, a separate entity but enabling a safe environment for those who need it. For some this is a temporary step, for others a supportive community to be a part of, shirts, hats – ways of identifying others who share that same understanding of giving and using the supportive community.
I am proud of everything that I achieved from starting my volunteer journey in this sport but especially so of what I have achieved since creating Integr8Archery.
So today thatās my message, thank you to the many people, some who I have named before and some often but especially the huge hugs on Sunday from Anita and Lisa and the coffee reload from Lisa was especially great š
Tomorrow there will be another blog drop, three in three days, yesterdayās was my update, today is my thank you for the community we have created under the brand I made and tomorrow a project update, to update what is happening, give some tastes of things to come but also to answer some of the questions I am being asked, particularly around the releases I made in spring 2022.
All 3 important updates and I think each deserving of separate attention.
