Blog
Overcoming your limiting belief
Overcoming your limiting beliefs to reach your goals - Imposter Syndrome
Championing Emotional Well-Being.
Ali was one of the speakers at the EAPA UK Annual Members Meeting.
Meet the Ollie Coach
Introducing Ollie Coach, Vicky O'Gorman. Vicky is based in Dorset.
Children's Mental Health Week 2025
For Children's Mental Health Week we were in schools getting to as many children as possible delivering assemblies to all ages.
Eating issue disappeared - Review
Vicky O'Gorman, our Ollie Coach based in Dorset, has recently been working with a client who had a particular favourite chocolate bar and once started couldn't stop. Vicky successfully helped the client to stop eating that particular product.
How Do You Help Your Kids Navigate Peer Pressure?
Navigating peer pressure can be one of the toughest challenges for young people today. From the desire to fit into concerns about being left out, kids are often faced with a barrage of influences that can steer them off their intended path. As parents, our role is vital in helping them navigate through these challenges.
GHP Mental Health Awards 2025 - Shortlist
We have been shortlisted for the GHP Mental Health Awards 2025
Supporting children through exams - Tips from Georgie May
Exam time can be stressful and nerve wracking for children, filled with pressure and worry. However, there are strategies that you and your child can employ to turn any stress into confidence and focus.
Meet the Coach
Introducing Ollie Coach, Grainne Brown. Grainne is based near BedfordSeason's Greetings
Ali Knowles tells us of her One Wish at this time of year.Ollie Coach, Pippa Durrant, doing extraordinary things
"No challenge is too small or too great for Pippa Durrant and she works in a non-pressured, calm manner". What a great Review!Meet the Coach
Introducing Catherine Rowley, our Ollie Coach based in Sheffield.TES Show 2024 - Why things get lost in translation
Why things get lost in translation was the underlying them of Ali's talk at the TES Show.Meet the Ollie Coach
Introducing Hilda de Groot, our Ollie Coach based in Glasgow.Highly Commended
Business Person of the Year 2024 Ali Knowles has been Highly Commended in the Business Person of the Year category of the Cambridge Business Awards 2024. These awards recognise the achievements and contributions of businesses and individuals in Cambridgeshire with 14 awards being presented during the ceremony which was held at The Great Hall, Kings College, on 26th September. Ali was one of 6 nominated for the category with the award going to Peter Burrows from Cambridge Building Society. Ali was extremely honoured to be recognised for this award "The work we do is all about empowering others and the reward we...
Meet the Ollie Coach
Introducing Ollie Coach, Nora Deme. Read on to find out more about Nora and her journey to becoming an Ollie Coach.Ollie Notebooks
Who doesn't love a nice notebook?
We are very excited about our new range of A5 Spiral notebooks
Children's Therapy Initiative 2024
Children's Therapy Initiative Award 2024 - YAY. A big shout out to our Ollie Coaches.Meet the Ollie Coach
Introducing Ollie Coach, Julie Fowler. To find out more about Julie please read on.Business Person of the Year - Finalist Alison Knowles
Business Person of Year Award - Ali Knowles finalist. The winner will be announced on 26th September 2024.Ollie Kids - giving kids the skills
Another successful Ollie Kids ProgrammeMeet the Ollie Coach
Introducing Ollie Coach, Pippa Durrant. Read on to find out more about Pippa.Meet the Ollie Coach
Meet Rosie Leigh, one of our amazing Ollie Coaches. Read on to find out more about Rosie.Becoming an Ollie Coach - Review after week 1
OS18 Ollie Coach training Before you start anything new there is always some kind of 'what's it going to be like' feeling. Some people get a little nervous, others feel excited. What really matters is how you feel as you go through it. We had our first weekend of OS18 Ollie Coach training and this is one of the review - we must be doing something right! I just wanted to express my thanks and excitement at this weekend. I have been buzzing since Saturday morning knowing it was starting and even more so since it's began. Alison, I'm...
Meet the Ollie Coach
Meet Kate Edmunds, one of our amazing Ollie Coaches. Read on to find out more about KateReview - Another happy parent
Another happy parent reviewAli's SENDcast podcast
‘Looking and trusting inside rather than looking for solutions externally'
Ali's latest SENDcast podcast is now available to listen to
Meet the Ollie Coach
Meet Paula Light, one of our amazing Ollie Coaches. Read on to find out more about Paula.Meet the Ollie Coach
Lynne Collins is based in Sutton, Ely, and works with teenagers and adults face to face and online via zoom. Lynne is particularly drawn to working with people who live with anxiety, self-doubt; low-confidence, poor self-esteem, feel stuck or who may just feel things ‘aren’t right’.Abby's Heroes - teaming up
Abby's Heroes is supporting families to work with an Ollie Coach.Ollie Kids & Teens - Tiptree Community Hub
Ollie Kids & Teens I've seen a very positive improvement. It would benefit so many children. Every child should be offered this. I learnt lots about my child. It seems like a really unique way to work with the kids. I was so surprised to see her confidently putting her hand up so often as I don't think she does this a lot in school. My child has learnt how to deal with big emotions and hard situations they will be faced with. As a child with SEN this training was imperative to her...
Meet the Ollie Coach
Jo Macdonald is one of our Scottish based Ollie Coaches. Read on to find out a bit more about Jo and how to get in contact with her.Shifting Reality Tunnels
Reality tunnels are made one brick at a time and those bricks will hold your beliefs, hopes, fears, about yourself and your world. The colour of your tunnel will depend on those early bricks, so things like being loved and praised will create a brighter tunnel than a child who is berated or abused.The Ollie Journey - metaphor
We always ask our Ollie trainees to write a metaphor about their journey. Ali reads a lovely metaphor about football.Ollie Coach Review
Ollie Coaches do what they do so that they can help others be all they can be. Often we don't hear from our clients but we always wonder how they are doing so when you get a feedback it means a lot. A happy mother has shared how Belinda helped her daughter.Heightened emotions make you stupid!
OS17 trainee Ollie Coach, Laura Rossborough, writes a great metaphor about her Ollie journey, about how she feels the love and support of the group, how she now believes in the possibilities but also about how being so caught up in your emotions can make you 'stupid'.Meet our newest Ollie Coaches - Nicky & Clare
Clare Martin and Nicky Smith returned to Regent's College today to receive their Ollie Coach certificates and their Red Shirts. "It makes me very happy to be able to present these Ollie Coach Certificates to Clare and Nicky today" commented Ali Knowles, "Clare and Nicky are going to do amazing things helping children and young people be all they can be." Nicky, speaking for both of them, explained how excited they were to receive their certificates and red shirts. "I am amazed at how much I have changed and grown through this training," said Nicky. "I have learnt so much and...
Ollie Coach review
Ollie Coaches do what they do so that they can help others be all they can be. Often we don't hear from our clients but we always wonder how they are doing so when you get a feedback it means a lot. Stani Try is based in Egham, working with children, teens, families and adults. This is what one of her 10 year old clients wrote to her. “Hey Stani, I love your sessions and I always can’t wait for the next one. You are really kind and I can tell you anything” To get in touch with Stani please...
Vote for Ali
Vote for Ali in the National diversity awards - Positive role model
NACPE nomination for pastoral excellence in education - Avril Annett
Avril Annett nominated for NACPE award for pastoral excellence.
Avril is without doubt one of the greatest assets we have in De La Salle in supporting our students.
Child's review of Ollie and the Guardians
A fantastic review from a young reader and fan of Ali's and Ollie's
Golden Ticket Time
𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘! Yes! That’s right… Ali will be once again be giving away a golden ticket to one person to train for free to become an Ollie Coach in January 2024.Partnership with Willo
We are very excited to be partnering with Willo Education Recruitment Ltd The team at Willo are passionate about making a difference to the lives of children which is why we instantly connected with them at the Childcare and Education Expo in Coventry. We can't wait to see where this takes us.
A day in the life of an Ollie Coach - No 3
What do our Ollie Coaches get up to when working with a client - read more to find out!Mental Health and Wellbeing Wales Awards 2023 - shortlisted
We are very proud to have been shortlisted for the Best Mental Health Support Service in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Wales Awards 2023.Every client is totally unique
Every client, child, teen, or adult is totally unique in how they do their world. What do I mean by that? Lots of things. Read on to find out about representational systems.Not one but two Awards
Best Therapeutically Trained Children's Coaches 2023 - Cambridgeshire
Empowerment Innovator of the Year 2023 - Cambridgeshire
SME Southern Enterprise Awards 2023
Racing for a Train! Who knew how tiring Stress / Anxiety can be?
I don't often go into 'The City' anymore. Normally things would just go to plan but yesterday was not one of days. My level of anxiety was severely heightened but the come down was alarming. If this is how I react, how do our kids cope with the anxiety they experience with going to school every day?.What's it like being an Ollie Coach?
Find out what it's like to be an Ollie CoachA day in the life of an Ollie Coach - No 2
What do our Ollie Coaches get up to when working with a client - read more to find out!
Goalsetting - Making dreams a reality Podcast
Listen to Ali and Dale chat about making your dreams a reality on the Sendcast podcastA day in the life of an Ollie Coach - No 1
The first in our series of what it is like to be an Ollie Coach.
Woodlice!!! Read more to find out about how our Coach used Woodlice to help a client.
Five reasons to work with an Emotional Therapist.
There are lots of reasons to work with an emotional therapist and in particular an Ollie Coach. Here we explore just 5 reasons, there are many more. Whatever your reason they will help you to manage your emotions rather than being controlled by them.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