Mencap Gateway — Weekly Update: Week 6

🚶 1. Volunteering — Walk for Autism

This week's volunteering evidence centres on the Walk for Autism project. Preparations are taking shape and I'm looking forward to getting out there during the actual walk week. 

🌿 2. Fitness — Nature Walk

Fitness this week came in the form of a nature walks. Getting outside into natural surroundings — whether spotting birds, photographing trees, or simply walking the path — is a meaningful and grounding way to stay active. 

🙏 3. Hobby — The Digital Parish & Simply Fellowship:

This has been the biggest and most exciting area of growth this week. What began as a personal spiritual practice has evolved into something genuinely significant.

Daily Office & Blog:

Daily prayer continues using the Northumbria Community Office, with other faith based reflections documented here on the blog. This consistent practice forms the spiritual foundation of everything else in this section.

Simply Fellowship — A New Vision Taking Shape:

This week saw the active development of an idea called Simply Fellowship — a contemplative gathering designed specifically for neurodivergent families in Gorebridge. 

Here's what happened this week:

A. Contacted The Hive community centre in Gorebridge to explore a possible venue and Gorebridge Parish to seek partnership. Also reconnected with Incarnate who are the church or fresh expressions planting wing of The Anabaptist Network. 

B. Drafted a complete first liturgy for the first gathering. 

C. Created a web presence. 

D. Connected with the Additional Needs Alliance network. 

E. Received encouragement from Churches Together, who responded to the plans with: "Brilliant 🙌. Love it. Well done. Really well put together with clear statements. So good!" — churchtogether.family

This kind of professional endorsement from an established network is incredibly affirming.

F. Sensory Healthy Church — CPD / Professional Development:

This week I also began the Sensory Healthy Church course. This is Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that keeps me current with best practice in inclusive, sensory-aware ministry. It complements my Highland Theological College degree beautifully and transforms this pillar from "hobby" into qualified expertise.

To summarise what this hobby pillar now demonstrates:

Daily Office & Blog — spiritual discipline and consistency. 

The Hive Contact — active engagement with the Gorebridge community. 

Liturgy & Web Presence — theological and technical skill. 

Network Connections — professional validation and collaboration. 

Sensory Healthy Church — accreditation and ongoing professional development. 

🎯 4. Personal Challenge

Personal challenge submitted last week. ✅

🌈 5. Lifestyle — Sensory & Advocacy:

Daily regulation is being managed through a combination of Squiggle Society art supplies, fidgets, and planned sensory snacks. These are practical, evidence-based strategies that support consistent functioning.

On the advocacy side, I remain actively in touch with a range of organisations and services this week, including: VOCAL.

The Finch app continues to support routine-building and daily wellbeing habits.

⭐ Bonus Activities

Vogrie ELC — LearnPro:

Continued work through Vogrie ELC's LearnPro platform this week.

📄 View User Certificate

REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene:

Continued working through the REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene qualification. Progress is being made steadily.

Week 6 complete. Onwards to Week 7. 🌟