Blog
The Evolving Landscape of Diversity: Understanding It's Transformation and Alison Knowles' Integration in Her Work
As a concept and practice, diversity has significantly evolved over recent years. Once primarily focused on visible differences like race and gender, diversity now encompasses a broader range of factors contributing to individual uniqueness, such as age, disability, sexual orientation, and cultural background. In this blog post, we will explore the changing landscape of diversity and discuss how Alison Knowles has successfully integrated this modern understanding of diversity into her work with the Ollie Model and Ollie and his Super Powers. The Evolution of Diversity: In the past, diversity was often equated with representation, focusing mainly on ensuring that different...
A Heartfelt Reflection: Alison Knowles Shares the Meaning Behind Her National Diversity Awards Nomination
Being nominated for a prestigious award like the National Diversity Awards is an incredible honour and a testament to the hard work and dedication of individuals and organisations promoting diversity and inclusion. For Alison it will only help her on her mission to empower individuals and transform their lives.Grassroots Communities Rising: How They Are Tackling Diversity in Society and Alison Knowles' Passion for Change
Diversity and inclusion are essential aspects of a thriving, harmonious society. While many organisations and governments work towards creating policies and initiatives that promote diversity, grassroots communities play a vital role in making tangible change. This blog post will discuss how grassroots communities actively tackle societal diversity issues and explore Alison Knowles' passion for addressing these challenges through her work with Ollie and his Super Powers. Community-led Initiatives: Grassroots communities often have a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by their members, making them well-equipped to create tailored solutions to promote diversity and inclusion. These community-led initiatives help break...
Vote for Ali - Diversity Awards Postive Role Model Age
Please vote for Ali in the Diversity Awards Positive Role Model AgeOllie spreads Superpowers to Ukrainian refugees
Ollie Team in Poland supporting Ukrainian Refugees Xanthe Steen, a single mother from North London and an Ollie trainee, fundraised over the first weeks of the Ukrainian war with her 11-year-old daughter specifically to raise enough money to fly Ollie and his Superpowers therapeutic team out to Poland to support refugees and volunteers. On the first day of the war Xanthe and her 11-year-old daughter Acacia shot into cupcake - baking overdrive and sold their produce in the London traffic and outside local school gates “I am an eighth Ukrainian“ said Acacia “it is hard to see the news and...
Top tips for banishing those January Blues.
In this blog, Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells give us her top ten tips for banishing the January Blues.Your best ever Pine Cone !
Deborah Stephenson, soon to be Ollie Coach, looks forward to getting outside everyday to breathe in the fresh air and for a change of scenery but also for all the other benefits it brings.Uncertain about uncertainty…
In this blog Deborah Stephenson, trainee Ollie Coach, reminds us that we have always faced uncertainty, never knowing what's ahead, but that because we are flexible we have always made it through and we will again.Dear Darling, please excuse my writing…
In this blog, Ollie Coach Stacie Glass explores the benefits of writing therapy by journaling; what journaling is (and isn’t) with tips on how to get started…Don’t forget the fun…
Deborah Stephenson, soon to be Ollie Coach, wonders if we all need to give serious consideration to the priority we give to fun. Far from dismissing it as a “nice to have”… we should stick it right at the top of our Christmas list!Finding a happy place
Ollie Coach Claire Robertson shares with us her happy place and how we can all create our own happiness by choosing the thoughts and beliefs we pay attention to.The spirit of inspiration…
You can never quite tell when inspiration will hit. It is often described as a spark, a flicker or a flash, but although the feeling is almost instant, it triggers a considerable emotional shift and generates strong motivation. By Deborah Stephenson, soon to be Ollie Coach.The Power of Book Therapy
Recognising our own emotions and problems experienced by another, even if they happen to live only between the pages of a book, can be useful in exploring the root of our feelings and solutions to our challenges, writes Ollie Coach, Claire Robertson"Yes I can" - the Funny side of fostering
Belinda Wells, Ollie Coach and foster mum shares some of the precious moments of bonding through laugher that make all the difference to the children in her care.The stories we tell ourselves!
The ability to become the observer of your ‘stories’ and your behaviour is a vital step in changing your behaviour and emotional reactions. By Stacie Glass, Ollie Coach.What is Grief - Podcast with Ali
Children experience many forms of grief such as parent separation, losing a toy, a pet - it is so much more than losing a loved one. Anything lost that is important to a child at an emotional level will impact them. When dealing with grief, there are a lot of assumptions we make about how someone should act and we have a tendency of pre-empting what someone else is thinking. In this episode Alison gives us some examples of grief through a child’s eyes and gives advice on taking a step back to understand the situation and allowing the child...
Who’d have thought it?
Thoughts can empower you or they can drain you. Ollie Coach Belinda wells explains that it's not the content of a thought that's relevant, it's what you do about the thought that is!YET!
"What are you to do, discover, become YET?" asks Ollie Coach, Claire Robertson.What's your Window of Tolerance?
In this blog, soon to be Ollie Coach, Pauline Baird, explains how each of us has a different window of tolerance where we are in control of what is happening around us but sometimes due to what life throws at us we move outside this window.Mindfulness is a Superpower!
In this blog Ollie Coach Belinda Wells explains why mindfulness really is a ‘Superpower’ to have - it's the ability to choose how to react and we can practice it in any situation.Tips for supporting your child at university
It will soon be that time of year when ‘freshers’ arrive at university, almost certainly after a summer of mixed feelings. Claire Robertson, Ollie Coach and Univeristy Lecturer, suggests some ways that you can give empowering support to your child even from many miles away.The Library
In this poem, Ollie Coach, Claire Robertson, likens our mind to a library and that all our memories, good and bad, are contained with the books. Claire encouages us to continue to add to our library with the stories of our choice.Shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards
Congratulations Ali for being short listed for the NDA Positive Role Model AwaUncertain about uncertainty…
In this blog Deborah Stephenson, soon to be Ollie Coach, reminds us that we have always faced uncertainty, never knowing what's ahead, but that because we are flexible we have always made it through and we will again.4 Tried and Tested ways to Teach Good Behaviour
Belinda Wells, Ollie Coach, gives us an insight into the ways she was taught and now uses as a parent and foster mum to promote good behaviour.We're all the same, right?
In this blog, Ollie Coach Lynne Collins, reflects on how we all live our lives and experience life differently. What we learn at early ages will serve as our strategy, response, mechanism as we grown older and become an adult.Self Preservation for a parent of a SEN child
The lastest podcast from Ali and Sendcast is now available on https://www.thesendcast.com/self-preservation/
Ali chats with Dale from Sendcast about the importance of taking care of you so that you can take care of your family.
DIVERSITY AWARDS Nominee
We need your vote!
We are very excited that Ali has been nominated for
Postive Role Model (Age) Award
at The National Diversity Awards 2021.
Therefore we need your vote. Please go to this link and vote for Ali.
https://bit.ly/diversityawardvoting
Learning to control our thoughts is good for us.
There is much in the world that we cannot control but learning to master our thoughts and emotions is a positive step we can take right now to strengthen our immunity and encourage strong and healthy minds and bodies. Written by Claire Robertson,Ollie Coach.Winner NLP Award for Education 2021
"I was very proud to present Alison Knowles with the NLP Awards 2021 honor for Education. Ali's contributions emphasize the fact that true education needs to be about more than just promoting intellectual knowledge." Robert DiltsRope Out of Darkness - My Journey through a Metaphor
I still have far to navigate and decipher on my journey bit I feel that I have learnt so much and there is still so much to learn. It is only just beginning.A Happy Mum - review
We are very proud of our Ollie Coaches as we know how good they are - making a difference to individuals and families by empowering them to find their own solutions. When a parent sends us a review of the positive changes that they have seen in their child from working with an Ollie Coach it makes us even more proud.7 Tips to Coping with Grief
Grief is a way of demonstrating our love for someone but it's a process, and it happens in stages that may come at different times for different people. It's important that we allow all the feelings associated with each stage to be felt, acknowledged and respected. By Ollie Coach, Belinda WellsWhat is Anxiety?
This is the fourth podcast in the series of episodes that Ali has done for SENDcast.
Ali revisits anxiety and simply asks the question 'what is anxiety?'
Stewing is worse than doing!
Caz Campbell, Ollie Coach, encourages us to have a declutter as it can be cleansing, making you feel freer, lighter and it also improves attention, focus and serenity.Parenting is a balancing act
Margie Kieran, Ollie Coach trainee, reflects on how as parents we can help our children understand that the 'out of control emotion' is not all of them but a small part of them that they can control if they want to.How to make walking with children less stressful!
Do your children hate going on walks? It can be a nightmare with some children, they would rather stay indoors than take some fresh air! Maybe they might prefer to go to the playpark, which is great for them, but sometimes as adults we just want to get out and go for a walk! Written by Ollie Coach Belinda WellsSuperhero Battles
Claire Robertson, Ollie Coach and Superhero, asks "How would your ideal superhero behave? How could you develop the beliefs and skills to become more like that person?"How perfect are you?
Stacie Glass, Ollie Coach, reflects on why she expects herself to be perfect all the time.Experiencing big emotions is like having your camera on zoom
Experiencing a big emotion is like having your internal camera focused only on that emotion. Sometimes, to enable us to see the whole picture, we need to take a step back, allowing us to put things into perspective and taking back control. Written by Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells.Your memory is what you make it
We are always reframing our thoughts but you cannot change the past, only how you feel about it. Jess Goddard, trainee Ollie Coach, asks "Which feelings do you want to change?"You Created Your Reality - podcast
Join Ali for the third in a fascinating series of podcasts hosted by SENDcast. ‘You created your reality’ is the theme of this months talk. If you have any questions raised by the discussion or if you would like to know how to become an Ollie Coach, please email us at info@ollieandhissuperpowers.com
A Simple Way to Disperse Unwanted Thoughts
A thought is just a thought and you don't have to act on it! Try this simple exercise with your children or use it for yourself to help 'blow away' those unwanted thoughts. Written by Ollie Coach Belinda Wells.Social Media can be a toxic place or an emotional life line!
In an online world that can often feel full of angry voices and confusing information Ollie Coach, Claire Robertson, would highly recommend creating a little oasis of friendship that reminds us that, despite the challenges we face, there is still kindness in the world, and much to be grateful for.Tes SEN show virtual - what an experience
You can still log onto the virtual TesSEN show to listen to Ali Knowles deliver her talks covering FASD, the importance of clean language and setting boudaries and limiting belief.Ollie Teens programme with Mae Murray Foundation
We have been extremely lucky and privileged to have been able to work with 9 amazing young people through the Mae Murray Foundation in Northern Ireland.Banish the Imposter Syndrome
Stephanie Hall, Ollie Coach, takes you through 3 simple tips to help you banish the Imposter Syndrome so that you can always believe 'you are good enough!'The joy of books at Christmas
Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells takes us through some of the reason why books are such a great gift with such value and in particular the Ollie and his Super Powers books which she uses when working as an emotional therapist with children and families.Why we are the way we are
In the second of four podcasts that Ali has done for SENDcast she talks about what makes us us and why we are different from anyone else.It's time to ditch the labels
In a world where everyone is put into boxes, it’s time to ditch the labels and start treating people like people. As a SEND parent, I know all too well the emphasis on labels, assessments and diagnosis but do they help? Written by Stephanie Hall, Ollie Coach trainee.Doing is not the same as Being
Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells, explains that the only way we can help traumatised young people to change their behaviours, is to work with an understanding of their sense of shame.Banish Workplace Bullies
With the start of Anti-Bullying week Stephanie Hall, Ollie Coach trainee, reflects on her own experiences of bullying throughout her childhood, although from the outside, she probably looked quite popular. Stephanie gives us some great advice on how you can prevent yourself becoming the victim of bullying in the workplace.Why I became an Ollie Coach - Moya Laird
Moya Laird explains why she became an Ollie Coach and how she loves watching her clients, young and not so young, blossom as they get to the root course of their issues, learning new strategies and coming up with their own solutions.A new breed of therapist
In the first of four podcasts that Ali has done for SENDcast she talks about what makes an Ollie Coach different from other therapists.7 steps to help children calm Anxiety
Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells, explains how she works with children to help them to manage their anxiety rather than letting it take control of them.I just want to belong
I don’t think as you think
I don’t see as you see
5 factors that stop us changing
So, what are the most common fears we might have about change, whether it is changing a habit, changing career, a new relationship, moving to a new house or for children perhaps, moving school? Written by Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells.Celebrating age
Debbie Casson, Ollie Coach trainee, reflects on how ageing is a difficult thing for most people, and how she thinks this is more acutely for women and that it actually inflicts quite a lot of emotional damage upon us. Writing here she is speaking about herself, but that it may resonate with a lot of other women too.Teaching empathy through role modelling
In this blog Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells, tells of one way that she is helping her daughter to develop her emotional intelligence while managing her own emotions in a positive and constructive manner.We have everything we need inside ourselves.
Stacie Glass, trainee Ollie Coach, recounts how she found her 'Brave' Super Power allowing her to speak out against her rapists.Relationships reflect the care they are given.
Sometimes, when it comes to children and relationships, we see them as something we have to mould, as a sculptor might a lump of clay, or as a carver might see a block of wood. But what if we nuture them as Gardener, allowing them to flourish and grow. Written by Ollie Coach, Belinda WellsDoes your child feel heard?
Ollie Coach, Helen Taylor, explains how 'learning to speak Ollie' can help you to talk to your child so that they feel heard and empowered.Be empowered to listen to your own advice.
Everyone has the resources they need within themselves to be the best version of themselves, they just need to listen to their own advice. Written by trainee Ollie Coach, Jess GoddardWhat's your sixth sense trying to tell you?
Alison Knowles, creator of the Ollie Model and author of the series of Ollie and his Super Powers books explains how you sixth sense, or as Ali calls it Your Bodyguard, protects you.Breaking down your fears and phobias.
Ali Knowles, creator of the Ollie Model and author of the Ollie and his Super Powers series of books explains that you have everything in side of you that you need to break down your fears and phobias - it's just like undoing a Meccano structure.6 simple questions for regulating heightened emotion.
Awareness can be the greatest catalyst for change and the difference between riding the emotional waves or being wiped out by them. When all that is 'normal' shifts and leaves you standing on uncertain ground how do you respond? Written by Ollie Coach, Sonia Quinn CaseyWhat's your emotional anchor?
Ali Knowles, creator of the Ollie Model and author of Ollie and his Super Powers, talks us through the power of emotional anchors and how they will help you to choose how you want to feel.Oh Cringe!
Have you ever felt really embarrassed by something someone has said or done and wonder what on earth made them say or do that? Have you ever been embarrassed or felt a tinge of a cringe with something your mum or dad said or did? I know I have! Written by Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells.All behaviour serves a purpose
All behaviour has a positive intent even though it may not appear in that way. Often there is a Secondary Gain to the behaviour that the person may not be consciously aware of. Join Alison Knowles, creator of the Ollie Model as she explains Secondary Gain.Why do kids do what they do?
The way our children act often means they are trying to tell us something. If we only think the worst of bad behaviour we are likely to miss what's really going on. Written by creator of the Ollie Model and Ollie Coach, Ali Knowles.It's time to change your story
It's time to stop listening to that negative inner voice that stops you doing things. It's time to change your story. Ali Knowles, creator of the Ollie Model and Ollie Coach gives us an insight into how you can do this.Living with a hidden disability
As a young girl there was always this feeling of loss, like something was missing from within me, I felt confused because of the way people treated me and even now I frequently feel invisible. Written by Ollie Coach, Sangeeta HandaDid I really think that?
Outrageous thoughts - we all have them. Those thoughts that are so unbelievably out of character that you’re almost surprised they came into your head. Written by trainee Ollie Coach, Jess Goddard.Failing Successfully
Has the fear of failure stopped you from trying something new? Or perhaps it has prevented you from going further in your career or achieving your life aspirations? Maybe, just maybe, we need to look at the concept of failure from a different perspective… Written by Ollie Coach, Louise BensonExplaining why we behave as we do to a child.
By using stories and soft toys as props it makes it so much easier to explain the different parts of the Truine Brain, what each parts does and how they affect our behaviour to a child (or adult). Written by Ollie Coach, Belinda Wells.Keep going, you can't give up now!
There will be times throughout our lives when we face challenges and uncertainty. It’s during these times that we can call upon the resources that are inside each of us and we can choose to step into our power and “keep going”. Written by Ollie Coach, Avril AnnettChoose your words carefully!
Words are powerful. They create the scripts we run in our heads. They can be kind, they can be horrid, they can empower, they can hurt, they can create stories that we spend the rest of our lives running from or towards. Written by trainee Ollie Coach, BepOllie's Parent Q&A session
Due to the current situation we are being asked loads of different things about how parents can help themselves and also their children manage how they feel about the situation we all find ourselves in. Some people appear to be taking everything in their stride while others are showing obvious signs of the stress the unknown is causing. This is coming out in many ways - not sleeping eating too much drinking too much being scared to go out irrational behaviour and outbursts not wanting to do anything worrying about stuff out of your control and many more And this...
The Tes SEN Show organisers chat with Ali Knowles
The Tes SEN Show is a high point in our calander as we get to speak to loads of people about the Ollie Model and how it can help them in their schools and also individually. This years event has been moved to 9 & 10 January 2021 with Ali Knowles speaking on Friday. Listent to Ali chat with Matt Govett & Beverley Walters, the organisers of the event.7 tips to help stop the spread of Maths Anxiety - written by Ollie Coach, Helen Taylor
"Help me with my maths!" Parents all over the country are being thrown into a state of anxiety, not by what is happening with the Covid-19 situation, but by the following five words uttered by their kids: “Help me with my maths” Are you one of them? Have you avoided maths since school because you were no good at it; blanked out when asked a simple sum; panicked when there was a maths test or exam; felt sick at the thought of the teacher asking you a question or had other common signs of anxiety when confronted with anything mathematical?...
Ali Knowles talks to Suzy Walker - empowering children to take control of their emotions
Listen to Ali chatting with Suzy about how we can empower children to take control of their emotions
How to support our children with their mental health
Ali Knowles, creator of the Ollie Model and author of the Ollie and his Super Powers series of books, chats live with Suzie Walker, editor of Psychologies Magazine about how we can support our children with their mental health - emotional wellbeing as Ali prefers to call it.Getting kids to think for themselves
Alison Knowles chats with Rachel Musson from ThoughtBox Education about the importance of getting children to think for themselves, to questions the 'norm' so that they can see the bigger picture to a situation, building a better future for all by connecting all the elements, themselves, others and the environment.
Children’s identity & feelings during lockdown
How to help them and still survive! Identity and self-image are key to a child’s mental health and wellbeing. In fact, to our wellbeing as adults too. But with everything that is going on around us at the moment, it can be quite easy to begin to doubt who we are, where we stand and to let our emotions take control.Chef D'Mind
What we feed our mind is as important as what we feed our bodies.Ali meets Dawn and Keith Avery
Life under lockdown isn't easy at the best of times but when you're dealing with mental health issues, it becomes a whole new world. The fabulous Dawn and Keith Avery talk to Ali Knowles about lockdown with their amazing (and very talented) son Aston Avery.'Bloody Marvellous' says Nikki Peterson from Psychologies Mag
Ali knows chat with Nikki Peterson, Commercial Director at Psychologies Magazine, about managing your emotions and that of your kids.
Ali Knowles talking to Suzy Walker from Psychologies Magazine
Listen and watch the live video that Ali did with Suzy Walker, Editor-in-chief, of Psychologies Magazine.
Reviews of Ollie's Emotional Resilience Coaching - online course
Read some of the reviews we have already received in just a day of launching Ollie's Emotional Resilience Coaching online course.Ollie's Emotional Resilience Coaching course
Ollie's Emotional Resilience Coaching course launched by Ali Knowles today during her live interview with Suzy Walker, editor in chief, of Psychologies Magazine.Our First Chillax
Chillax - relaxation and recharging The 30 minutes seem to fly by and there was so many people log on for this session from all over the world. To sum it up from a feedback comment from the session "Absolutely amazing relaxation therapy tonight Ali, thank you so much, was just what I needed."Taking back control - making this an Opportunity
The only thing not real are our thoughts. We create them. It's natural & instinctive in a protective way to only notice fear, & that fills our thoughts. But they are no more real than the tooth fairy. Yes the virus is real but how we cope a thought process that you are controlling- turn this time into an OpportunityOllie Kids - we need your help
Ollie kids we need your help to help your parents and other grown-upsPutting things back into perspective
Taking back control, putting things back into perspective. Ali gives us a really simple technique to help us all.Resilience Armour - Ollie and the Magic Workshop
In Ollie and his Magic Workshop Ollie learns how to keep bad words from getting into his head or his heart by creating his special armour. Our youngest Ollie Coach trainee read the book to the children she works with getting them to create their own Resilience Armour that they can use anytime they need.Communicating in your own way
What are you really being told One of the most frustrating things in the world is when people don’t hear you, they don’t listen, your just not getting through. And we get really wound up by it, that they are just not paying attention. It is an interesting thing, and its been bothering me for a couple of days. Then a thought came into my head. Our cat was very ill, really, really ill, and I just knew her was ill, but I didn’t now how I knew he was ill. Someone said, but they can't talk to you. They...
Helping you with your emotional wellbeing - the best job in the world
Emotional Wellbeing The best job in the world has to be when you help someone be the best they can. Our Ollie Coaches all have a passion to help young and old be all they can be. Our Ollie Coaches do what they do because the immense overwhelming feeling you get when you see someone no longer struggling, when that person has the choice of what path they want to take and when that person has taken back control of their emotions. Often Ollie Coaches don't know the full extent of the difference they may have made for someone but...
Review of Anna Kennedy interview - Talking all things Autism
I just had to share this with you as I received this privately after my recent interivew with Anna Kennedy on Womans Radio. This means a lot to me as the lady who wrote this is fighting hard for her kids to be treated fairly, and its not always easy to keep that going when you are also having to deal with unforeseen health issues. Honestly I can't thank you enough for how much you've helped and changed my life. I also love the point you made about not having to change the model to fit our kids because that's...