Devotions

​Hi everyone! I am so excited to share a major update today. I finally received the official word from the Gateway Award team, and it's official—I have completed the Bronze award! ​Getting this email made all the hard work totally worth it: ​ "Hi David, That all looks great, congratulations on completing the Bronze award. I will get the certificates and medals out in the post for you today. Many thanks" ​I can't wait for the postman to arrive so I can finally see the certificate and medal in person. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, even if just following along on this blog. Stay tuned for other future posts on both my life journey and the usual devotional content! ​What is the Gateway Award? ​The Gateway Award is a fun activity program where you set your own goals and do things at your own speed. Anyone of any age or ability can take part. ​When you do the award, you get to choose what you want to do and when you wa...

Eight days. Done. I'll be honest — when I signed up for this, I wasn't sure what the week would look like. As an autistic person with social anxiety, and a house full of beautiful, complex, neurodiverse children, some days were a big ask. But here we are. Today is World Autism Acceptance Day. And I can think of no better day to finish. Acceptance isn't a one-day event. It's a daily choice — to see people as they are, to make room, to listen, to include. I hope these thousands of steps through ordinary streets, quieter days, and harder ones have nudged that forward even slightly. Thank you to everyone who donated, shared, and cheered us on. You are, as the Walk for Autism team said, absolutely amazing. 💙 Donations are still open: 👉 walkforautism.co.uk/fundraiser/DavidHoldsworth We are not missing pieces. We never were. ♾️

Seven days. One to go. Tomorrow — 2nd April — is World Autism Acceptance Day. And here we are, walking right into it. That feels fitting in a way that's hard to put into words. This whole week has been a journey — literally and figuratively. There have been big step days and quieter ones. Days where the motivation came easily and days where simply getting up and going was the whole victory. That's real life. That's autistic life. And I think it's worth naming that, because the world Autism Initiatives is working to build isn't a world where autistic people have to perform wellness or pretend the hard days don't exist. It's a world where every person is accepted — on the difficult days as much as the good ones. Tomorrow we mark Acceptance Day. Not awareness — acceptance. There's a difference. Awareness says "we know you exist." Acceptance says "you belong here." One more day. Let's finish strong. 💙 If you haven't y...

Six days in, and we are officially on the home stretch. ​If Day 5 was about crossing the halfway line, Day 6 is about steady persistence. The initial novelty has faded, replaced by the rhythmic reality of the task. Much like the autistic experience itself, this challenge isn't always about big breakthroughs—it’s about the quiet strength of showing up day after day, moving forward despite the sensory noise or exhaustion. ​With only two days left, the finish line is finally in sight. Every step taken today is a reminder that while the journey can be long, we don't have to walk it alone. ​ The Goal is in Sight: I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me so far. Every penny raised helps Autism Initiatives continue their vital work. ​If you’d like to help me finish strong, you can donate here: 👉 walkforautism.co.uk/fundraiser/DavidHoldsworth ​"We are not missing pieces. We are the whole picture." 💙

Five days in. And that means we're over halfway. There's something that feels significant about that — crossing the midpoint of a challenge. Monday has arrived, the weekend's slower pace is behind us, and the week stretches ahead with a little more structure. For those of us who are autistic, that can actually be a relief. Routine is a friend. After a quieter Sunday, today felt like a return to rhythm. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. That's really all any of us can do, isn't it? Not the whole eight days in one go — just today's steps, today's effort, today's small act of showing up. I've been thinking a lot about why this walk matters — not just the fundraising (though every penny is genuinely needed and appreciated), but what it represents. Walking is ordinary. Everybody does it. And yet, for families like mine, ordinary life carries an extraordinary weight. The sensory load. The waiting lists. The appointments. The a...

​For a long time, I tried to fit into spaces that weren't built for me. My Personal Challenge for the Bronze Award is in part a commitment to stop masking and start seeking. ​By attending Dad & Me, I am seeking the community help I need to be a regulated parent (it is the February break in Midlothian and Solomon was a bit poorly so we did skip a week). By searching for an ASN-friendly church, I am seeking the spiritual help I need to practice my faith without burnout. This week we went local. These aren't separate tasks; they are two sides of the same journey toward Autism Acceptance. ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​Activity: Planning routes and tracking fundraising. ​Evidence:  ​2. Fitness: Nature Walk ​Activity: Daily walks for sensory regulation. ​Evidence: Snow, Cake-Topped Trees , and a Little Help from My Friends  ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish ​Activity: Daily prayer using the Northumbria Office and blog reflections. ​Update: Shifting focus...

​If you’ve seen my recent posts about the Mencap Gateway Award, you might be wondering: What is the purpose behind all of this? Why turn my quiet, daily rhythms into a six-month "official" project? ​The truth is, life as an autistic person can often feel like you’re drifting in a sea of other people’s expectations. The "Sanctuary" I talk about isn't just a place—it's a practice. I’m doing the Gateway Award because it gives that practice a backbone. It’s about intentionality over accident. ​ The Purpose Behind the Plan ​ 1. Building My "Sanctuary" The award gives me a reason to stick to the rhythms that actually make me feel good. Without this commitment, it would be easy to skip my Finch goals or the Northumbria Office prayer when I’m tired. This turns my self-care into "official progress," helping me stay grounded when life feels overwhelming. ​ 2. Proven Independence (The Folder Effect) By working directly with Mencap and manag...

​ 1. Lifestyle (Health and Wellbeing) ​ The Rhythm: This week I’ve used the Finch app and the Northumbria Office to keep a consistent daily sanctuary. It’s helped me stay grounded as I start this six-month journey. ​ Evidence:   ​ 2. Personal Challenge (Self-Awareness) ​ The Connection: I attended the Dad & Me group at Midlothian Sure Start . It was good to be in that space and start building that weekly habit of connection. ​ Evidence:   This week involved normal play and some messy play. Gabriel came as "Dads helper" this week which was cute!  ​ 3. Fitness & Volunteering (Nature & Service) ​ The Progress: I completed my nature walk this week and spent time getting set up for  Walk for Autism ( my fundraising page is now live ).  ​ Evidence: Other: I also started to explore resources from Health in Mind. And follow the advice to keep a journal. ...

This week marks the beginning of a six-month journey as I work toward my Bronze Gateway Award. I’ve decided to frame this experience as a 'Sanctuary'—a dedicated time to build a rhythm of health, service, and reflection. ​Over the next 26 weeks, I am committing to a balanced path: supporting my Health and Well-being through the Northumbria Office and the Finch app, and challenging myself to build Self-awareness and connection at the Dad & Me group with Midlothian Sure Start. My days will include mindful nature walks for fitness and the creative outlet of this blog. Most importantly, I’ll be spending my volunteering time planning and completing my  Walk for Autism . This journey isn’t just about ticking boxes for a medal; it’s about intentionally creating a consistent, peaceful routine that supports my autistic profile while giving back to the community. I look forward to sharing the quiet milestones and the steady progress of this path as it unfolds.