🏅 Week 13 – Mencap Gateway Bronze Award Update

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🏅 Week 13 

This is my weekly evidence check-in for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award. Week 13 has been a big one — not just for the award, but for our family. Here's a round-up of everything covered this week.

1. Volunteering – Walk for Autism 🚶

Evidence submitted and completed previously. Nothing further to add — this section is wrapped up. 

2. Fitness – Nature Walk 🌿

This week's fitness evidence is a nature photo. 


This week's highlight: We had a caravan holiday with the family at an autism-friendly caravan site! 

Time outdoors, time together, and a change of scenery — exactly the kind of nature activity that covers this section beautifully.

3. Hobby – The Digital Parish & Daily Office 📖🙏

Continuing with daily prayer but not exclusively Northumbria Community Office anymore though. I'm also documenting reflections here on this blog. This is an ongoing rhythm that feeds both the spirit and the evidence log.

New this week: We visited Ps and Gs Church in Edinburgh with the kids and tried out their ASN (Additional Support Needs) provision and children's ministry. A really meaningful experience — exploring faith community that makes space for everyone.

4. Personal Challenge 🎯

Previously submitted. This section is complete.

5. Lifestyle – Sensory & Advocacy 🌈📣

Managing daily regulation continues through the Squiggle Society and other art supplies, fidgets, and planned sensory snacks. This also included joining Club Neuro online community and getting a fidget hoodie. 


The Finch app is helping maintain routines and check in on wellbeing each day.

On the advocacy side, there has been a lot happening this week:

  • Sent additional evidence to Social Security Scotland for Child Disability Payments — and brilliant news: payments have now been successfully awarded for one of the little ones. 🎉
  • Received personalised Hidden Disabilities ID cards for my wee girl and me, along with Hidden Disabilities lanyards and other items. These are such a practical and affirming thing to have.
Big win this week: CDP payment secured. Months of paperwork, evidence-gathering, and advocating — and it paid off. This kind of advocacy is quiet, exhausting work, but it matters enormously.


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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