Weekly Evidence — Week 8 (Mencap Gateway Programme)

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1. Volunteering — Walk for Autism
This week's volunteering continues to be centred around the Walk for Autism. 



2. Fitness — Nature Walk
For fitness this week I've been getting out for a nature walk. 


3. Hobby — The Digital Parish & Daily Office
My hobby this week has been continuing with The Digital Parish and the Daily Office. I've been using the Northumbria Community Office for daily prayer and documenting my reflections here on the blog. This rhythm has been a real anchor.
This week also brought some significant movement in my online ministry. I revisited my Simply Fellowship idea — the dream of launching an in-person meeting — and sat with some honesty about where I actually am right now. With my autism, social anxiety, and the realities of family and work-life balance, an in-person meeting simply isn't the right step at this moment. Maybe it will be one day. Maybe it won't. And I'm learning to be at peace with not knowing.
What I did instead was enliven my online ministry. 

I've created a simplified website ready for if and when the time is right. The name has a new shape too: Above All Love: Simply Fellowship. I also relaunched my devotional writing space as the Above All Love Devotional Blog. You can find the podcast here: podpoint.com/above-all-love/episodes and the Simply Fellowship site here: simplyfellowship.carrd.co
I've also been making connections with some like-minded networks, which has been encouraging. And I've continued my course on being a Sensory Healthy Church — something that feels increasingly important and personal.
I sent a follow-up email to Ps and Gs to check whether their ASN ministry has launched yet. In the meantime, I'm continuing to attend my local Parish.

4. Personal Challenge
Submitted. ✓

5. Lifestyle — Sensory & Advocacy
Daily regulation has been ongoing this week using my Squiggle Society and art supplies, fidgets, or planned sensory snacks. These small things make a real difference to how I move through the day.

On the advocacy front, I've been keeping plates spinning across several areas: staying in touch with VOCAL, school, Social Security Scotland, and Motability. And this week brought a significant milestone — I ordered a 7-seater Motability car for my daughter. That's a big one.

I've also been keeping up with routines using the Finch app, which continues to be a gentle and helpful support.


That's Week 8 wrapped up. Onwards.
A Highland Theological College graduate and non-conformist follower of Jesus living at the crossroads of neurodiversity and faith. Writing on the wild grace of the Gospel.

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