This week’s blog post is one I never imagined I would be able to write. Since I have been volunteering full-time (for just over a year now), I have been lucky enough to meet incredible parents, open-minded teaching staff, inclusive heads and super-supportive charities. However, nothing could have prepared me for the phone call that I received on Wednesday.
Rebecca Parker (Acting Executive Producer at Radio Solent) phoned and ask to speak to the Awesome Archie team. She then informed me that we have been, not only nominated for a ‘Make a Difference’ award (volunteer category), but that we had made it through the preliminary rounds and are in the FINAL FOUR!!!!
After I had finished crying, I phoned all of my family and friends and explained how Archie and I have been invited to attend the award ceremony at St Mary’s stadium this coming September.
To any of you that may have nominated us, I want to say an enormous thank you. It wasn’t so long ago that Archie was desperately unhappy in his main-stream setting and he would question his purpose on earth on a daily basis. He is now thriving in his specialist setting, becoming a little more confident in social situations and feels strong enough to share his autism journey with those in the public who need our support. This nomination (even if we don’t win) is a HUGE accomplishment for our awesome son and our family, who have dedicated so much time to support us on our non-profit journey.
THANK YOU!
Thanks (again) to the DCF!
Since the start of the Summer term, we have already had an influx of requests for SEN equipment, both from schools and families. Being a non-profit organisation is exactly as it sounds. Everything we do, is done for free therefore, until I win the lottery I will never personally have the funding to purchase SEN equipment to donate to others. This is where being affiliated with the Dorset Children’s Foundation has been life changing for both Archie and I.
The team at the DCF have been 100% supportive of the work we have done and have very kindly put up the funds so that we at Awesome Archie can meet the needs of those who ask. We can’t say THANK YOU enough and we will continue to collect and donate children’s toys and clothes, for your Treehouse Store, as our way of saying thanks.
Supporting ‘Cash for Kids’ day at WG…
And finally, one of the first regular support role slots I was asked to fill was to be a volunteer team member of the gorgeous William Gilpin Church of England school in Boldre. It is my privilege to be able to donate 6 hours per week of TA work, SEN support, photocopying duties, coffee making and catching up with readers. To be honest, this is one of the favourite parts of my week, as I get to step out from behind my computer and meet lots of incredible children.
On Friday, the staff all dressed up as pop stars in an effort to raise money for Wave 105’s “Cash for Kids” day 2023. For those of you who know me personally, you will know that it doesn’t take a lot to get me into fancy dress… but this was quite something!
I spent the morning working as 80’s legend Cyndi Lauper while the head teacher (Mr Simon Croutear) was David Bowie. I was also lucky enough to work alongside some members of ABBA, Bjork and a number of other current pop stars who I’m far too old to know who they were!! 😋😋😋
Each class performed a pop song in front of the whole school and we all spent the day remembering those children who are not so fortunate.
I will attach a link to their donation page here…
Every ££ counts!
Don’t forget to follow us on our socials for regular tips, hints and to follow us along on our autism life journey.