Author: The Awesome Archie Team

When Archie was in mainstream education he was unhappy a lot of the time. Needless to say, this had a tremendously negative effect on his ability to process the information taught.

We all know that only happy kids learn. If they are overwhelmed with worry, sadness, loneliness etc, they cant possibly find the brain space to fit in long division. When you think of it logically, it makes so much sense. What on earth is the point of learning your times tables if you hate yourself, are afraid of life and just feel like you don’t fit in?

This is the very reason that I go to mainstream schools to support ASD kids. If having that tiny bit of fun injected into the school day can get a child back on track then that’s AWESOME!

Now that Archie is blessed enough to be in specialist provision the challenges are a little different. He is happy, confident, more communicative verbally and we no longer self harm. We do have to focus on learning from home a little more though…..which we LOVE.

Archie may not get his GSCE’s. We don’t know if the pressures of a test environment will cause him too much distress so we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. We are however encourage by his tutor to immerse ourselves in his favourite subjects.

Many successful people in life had terrible exam results and this is something that we share with all of our kids.

So, with this in mind we bought Archie an online diploma course. Archie was able to sit in his own home, learn at his own pace and in his own way. We are proud to announce that he is now the proud owner of a Feline behaviour and psychology Diploma. He passed with a rate of 96% and received a distinction 🙂

NEVER GIVE UP! Find your passion and RUN WITH IT!

What a phenomenal and memory making experience we have just had.

Thanks to the brilliant Reformed Plastics, Archie was welcomed as a guest of honour at this years fantastic New Forest show.

David and Martyn, the CEO’s of Reformed Plastics have skilfully created the UK’s first giant rainbow chair in Archie’s honour. This remarkable chair was sat on and admired by thousands of visitors and was a real talking piece. 🌈🌈🪑🪑

For me, seeing our Awesome dude be proud of his differences, pose for pictures and talk to strangers was overwhelming. He was more than happy to let his quirky personality shine, even though he did get upset because I wouldn’t buy him a real piglet! 🐷🐷

We were also privileged enough to briefly man the William Gilpin tent, an incredible school that I am currently (voluntarily) supporting a child 1:1 because of all of your kind support.

Proud, proud day 😁😁 THANKYOU ALL.

What a truly awesome day Friday was for the whole Awesome Archie team 🙂 🌞🌞🌧🌧🌈

We were lucky enough to be able to hold a fundraising stall at the beautiful Priory C of E Primary school in Christchurch. Each year they host a fantastic summer fayre in their playground. We were treated to Singing, ukulele playing, hip-hop dancing, the under 12’s world dance champions and Awesome Archie even got a go on the microphone to welcome everyone and encourage them to give generously 🙂 💰💰💰

By selling item/gift donation,s kindly given by the public, we managed to raise £185!!

The Awesome Archie team are thrilled to be donating £92.50 (half our profit) to the Friends of Priory school charity. They spend these kind of donations on fun, play equipment and giggle making activities to help kids have an even better time in school. The remaining £92.50 has been put back in the AA pot ready to buy another chrome book for a child with ASD as soon as we are able. 💻💻💻

I don’t mind admitting that I did get a little emotional at one point in the afternoon, seeing so many children running around with their official ‘Awesome Archie merch’ t-shirts!! 👕👕

All photos are being shared with permission 🙂

THANK YOU ALL!

This week I was privileged enough to visit “The Link” and witness first hand the immensely supportive teaching style for the kids with Autism, blessed to be taught there.

Our Archie was one of the very first pupils to have been lucky enough to join The Link as it opened as an ASD hub in the grounds of Broadstone Middle school. Fast forward 2 years and not only is the school thriving, but so is Arch!

We will never be able to explain fully just what a positive impact the staff have all had. Not just on our son, but the positivity that has been carried home has changed our home life for the better too!

Mr Chris Goulding and Mrs Claire Sweeney, to name just two of the brilliant staff there, continue to go above and beyond. As a family we are forever grateful and inspired by their endless patience and kindness. The kids in their care are TRULY blessed!

Archie showed me all around the fully stocked class and even graced me with some nifty tricks performed the school Labrador “Peggy”.

As “The Link “expands and grows over the years, we want to share just how fab this team is and shout of how highly we would recommend sending your Awesome kid there!

To all at The Link. THANKYOU from the bottom of our hearts!

This image brought on a wave of genuinely strong emotions for me this morning. I know and you are right, that does sound bizarre… let me explain 🙂

Unlike most almost 15 year olds, Archie still see’s the complete joy in playing “submarine rescue” or ” octonaughts save the planet”

While a lot of neurotypicals of his age are tictocing or hitting the beach with friends, he is here, still playing like his 8 year old sibling. This is where the real mix of emotions comes into play.

See, sometimes I feel sad that Arch wont grow up to be like his unbelievably gorgeous siblings. Sometimes I feel sad that he doesn’t see the world like I do, or notice the real dangers in life. Sometimes I feel sad that he may not find a partner or have children . I also ALWAYS feel sad that there is so much discrimination and exclusion across the globe, something for which I will FOREVER fight. However, along with those negative feelings rushed an onslaught of total joy!

Archie still screeches with the sight of a rainbow. He jumps for joy when the Ice cream van comes. He doesn’t care that his clothes aren’t trendy, they are comfy and that’s all he is bothered about. He can spend hours playing with toy cars and not fearing for what’s happening in the world. He sleeps SURROUNDED by his teddies, with zero shame. A Cat or a Dog is literally ALL the company he needs. Riding a scooter up and down the road is still every bit as exciting for him as the very first time he did it. Thunder and lightening are magical and best of all, he still wants to sit on my lap for cuddles….even though he is as tall as me now!

I wanted to share this for any parent/ carer who may be having a sad day. It happens! The sheer fact that you are reading this post shows that you care, that makes your kid the LUCKIEST kid ever!

Lets go into the world with the same immaturity and joy of Awesome Archie 🙂

It is with great excitement that I am officially allowed to announce that the INCREDIBLE team at Reformed Plastics have created and are now selling the UK’s first GIANT RAINBOW CHAIR in honour of our gorgeous Archie!

David Mercer (company director) has long supported Archie through the years. He has, along with his family, been a shoulder to cry on and a loyal friend. When he approached us with this idea, we simply couldn’t believe how blessed we were.

The picture above shows Farmer Palmer himself sitting on the Awesome Archie GIANT Rainbow Chair, skilfully created by the guys at Reformed Plastics.

We are delighted that both Archie and I have been invited to Farmer Palmers, with Reformed Plastics, for an official launch photo-shoot, which will (hopefully!) then be featured in House Magazine.

It’s vitally important that I also let you know that for every giant rainbow chair that Reformed Plastics sell, they are donating £100 to our non-profit organisation to help us support children with neurological differences across the south coast.

We will never be able to thank you enough! You are all AWESOME!!

Well, from being terrified that no one would want my services to being apologetic about the full diary. What a lifechanging Month it has been since Awesome Archie Outreach got officially going.

This week was our fullest and most satisfying week yet 🙂

We have had ; content creating/ filming, two “in school” assemblies, 6 hours of 1:1 SEN support, a 2 hour fundraising meeting, a donation visit, two in depth consults with parents and another Chromebook ordered. Not to mention countless and very welcomed email questions.

I was also privileged enough to hand over a communication puppet for a lovely little girl who is trying so hard, every single day. This was a highlight for me, defiantly! ( I have permission to share these pics from her rightly proud Mummy !)

Thankyou to EVERYONE that has donated either money or bits to sell. It all makes a remarkable difference to every child that we support.

Children with Autism deserve to be happy 🙂 Life is so tough sometimes and so overwhelming for them, and us of course!

Thanks for keeping us going in this amazing fight for our Awesome kids 🙂

Well, it has been 8 weeks since I handed in my notice at a job that (for the most part) I had adored. We all know that there are often moments in a lifetime that make you realise that this is it, one life, one shot, one opportunity to change not only your life but the lives of others.

2 weeks into being an unpaid, volunteer, 1:1 ASD support worker and I have never felt richer!

To see the faces and hear the gratitude from the staff and students that I am able to support, even just a tiny bit, has been overwhelming!

I am so thankful to Awesome Archie. He has taught us, as parents and educators, so so much.

Enormous thanks to the welcoming and jolly lovely staff at the William Gilpin C of E Primary School. I have rarely met such a friendly and “child centred” bunch of people and I feel truly blessed to be part of the team(ish!) 😉

Roll on the next 10 weeks!!

The Awesome Archie 1:1 Outreach Support Programme is fully booked until September 2022. Please email for details if you would like any support thereafter.

Well, today was a day that initially felt very disappointing. As a family, we have been receiving lovely donations of clothes, art, bric-a-brac, etc., to sell and raise money to buy sensory supplies for a couple of local schools.

After a 5am start, a torrent of rain and barely any sales we travelled home heavy hearted.

However, we soon realised that the little amount raised today (£20) will have a hugely significant impact on those we are helping.

We used the money to buy two boxes of fidget toys that will be winging their way to Christchurch Junior school. These boxes are used, one per class, and are FANTASTIC tools to calm children who may be having a meltdown, feeling overly anxious or who just learn better while ‘fidgeting’. Being a fidgeter myself, I know how invaluable these little things can be!

I will never again feel disappointed if things haven’t gone precisely the way I had hoped. Today has proven to be a valuable lesson for both myself and our beautiful daughter, who by the way, didn’t moan once 😊