Devotions

Happy 3rd Week of Holidays!  ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​Completed previously.  ​2. Fitness (Nature Walk) ​Evidence:  ​Walked with Lilianna at her Bright Sparks ASN trip to Tubing at Midlothian snowsports.  ​3. Hobby The Digital Parish & Prayer ​Activity: Prayer using the Northumbria Office and documenting reflections on this blog. ​ ​4. Personal Challenge: Previously submitted.  5. Lifestyle (Sensory & Advocacy): Managing daily regulation through Squiggle Society, fidgets and other art supplies. Still exploring church ideas This week for Faith activity we returned to Gorebridge Parish Church. The two middle children had to come out to the play space a while as they were a bit overwhelmed and Sunday school wasn't on. However, still a win as they got to church.  Still using the Finch app to continue routines.  The end of this award is almost here! Just about ready to submit! 

Happy 2nd Week of Holidays!  ​1. Volunteering (Walk for Autism) ​Completed previously.  ​2. Fitness (Nature Walk) ​Evidence:  ​Examples: Walked around bird gardens with family. Only took one photo as I wanted to be present to the moment.  ​3. Hobby The Digital Parish & Prayer ​Activity: Prayer using the Northumbria Office and documenting reflections on this blog. ​ ​4. Personal Challenge: Previously submitted.  5. Lifestyle (Sensory & Advocacy): Managing daily regulation through Squiggle Society, fidgets and other art supplies. Still exploring church ideas This week for Faith activity we visited The Logos Hope ship that is docked in Ocean Terminal. I also did a Muddy Church style walk with my children. I have also been in touch with a minister in Newtongrange.  Still using the Finch app to continue routines.  This is the second last week of these updates. It has been a jo...

This week has been all about balance—nurturing my body, mind, and spirit while staying true to my advocacy work and family routines. Here is a breakdown of my activities and evidence for Week 18: ​1. Volunteering ​ Activity: Walk for Autism ​ Status: ✅ Completed previously. Medal and Certificate: Received this week.  ​2. Fitness & Nature ​ Activity: Nature Walk & Prescribe Nature Course ​This week, I embraced the outdoors by attending Week 4 of the Prescribe Nature programme at Newbattle Abbey College . The outdoors continues to be a massive source of healing, grounding, and joy for me. Set up tents using pegs we made last week.  Had a cuppa in the woods at a new location.  Found some leafy specimens someone had collected.  Found Badger claw marks.  Explored the Badger sets and set up a trail camera.  Did some nature ar...

There is something transformative about the air at Newbattle Abbey College. This week, I took a step that feels like a deep breath for the soul: I officially started Prescribe Nature . ​If you haven’t heard of it, Prescribe Nature is an 8-week outdoor wellbeing programme designed for adults who need a little extra support—whether that’s improving mental health, reducing social isolation, or simply building back lost confidence. It’s held in the stunning, peaceful woodlands of Newbattle, and honestly, the setting alone feels like medicine. ​ Why I’m Here ​We all go through seasons where life feels a bit too loud or a bit too heavy. For me, this journey is about reconnecting with nature on a personal level. I’m looking to improve my overall wellbeing and grow through an experience that feels calming, supportive, and empowering. ​And as a lovely bonus? It turns out this journey also leads to a recognised award! 😊 ​ Week One: Learning to Breathe Again ​The focus of this ...

1. Volunteering – Walk for Autism Completed previously. ✅ 2. Fitness – Nature Walk Evidence: Getting outside and connecting with nature is something I find genuinely grounding. 3. Hobby – The Digital Parish & Daily Office This week's hobby evidence continues to come in the form of prayer, though using the Northumbria Community Office less. I've been documenting my faith reflections here on the blog as I go, which ties in beautifully with this Digital Parish project.  4. Personal Challenge Previously submitted. ✅ 5. Lifestyle – Sensory & Advocacy This covers a lot of ground, and this week felt particularly full in the best way. On the sensory side, I'm continuing to manage daily regulation using my Squiggle Society and other art supplies, fidgets, and planned sensory snacks. The Finch app has also been a really helpful tool for keeping up with routines — small steps, but they add up. Currently on a 90 day streak.  This week I also started doin...

It’s Sunday again, which means it is time to check in on my progress for the Mencap Gateway Bronze Award . This week has been a whirlwind of advocacy, emotional deep-dives, and family time. Here is the breakdown of my evidence for Week 12. ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​ Status: Completed. I submitted the final evidence for this section last week. It feels great to have this milestone officially ticked off! ​2. Fitness: Nature Walk ​ Evidence: ​ Highlight: I spent some quality time at Newhailes Park with the kids this week while Sarah and Solomon were at a hospital appointment. It was the perfect opportunity to get exercise in and enjoy the fresh air. ​3. Hobby: The Digital Parish & Prayer ​ Activity: Daily prayer using the Northumbria Office has fallen by the way a bit. But, I dip into prayer, particularly about family health and peace in the world.  I have been in touch with a ministry about a pos...

Weekly Reflections: Milestone Moments & Autism Acceptance ​ ​Welcome to this week’s update! Week 11 has been a massive one, aligning perfectly with Autism Acceptance Week . Between hitting physical milestones and staying on top of the "life admin" that keeps things running smoothly, it’s been a productive and meaningful seven days. ​1. Volunteering: Walk for Autism ​This week marked the official Walk for Autism . I am thrilled to report that I’ve been clocking up the steps and officially completed the challenge on Autism Acceptance Day . It felt incredibly rewarding to finish such a significant personal goal on a day that means so much to the community. ​ Status: Completed & Submitted. ​2. Fitness: Nature Walk ​Staying active remains a priority for my physical and mental well-being. This week’s fitness focus was nature walks, allowing me to decompress and appreciate the outdoors. ​ Evidence:   ​3. Hobby: The ...

Not every day looks the same. And that's okay. Today is Sunday, and it's been a slower one. Fewer steps on the tracker, and anyone who knows me will understand why — it's been a sensory overload day. The kind where the world feels turned up a little too loud, where everything needs a little more processing, and where the kindest thing you can do for yourself is simply rest and be gentle. There's something quietly fitting about this, actually. This is exactly what the walk is about. Not a highlight reel of easy miles and perfect days — but the honest reality of what it means to live as an autistic person, in a neurodiverse family, doing your best. Some days you hit 10,000 steps before lunch. Other days, you count the steps to the kitchen and call it a win. I'm still walking. Just more slowly today, and closer to home. The challenge doesn't demand perfection — and neither does grace. What matters is that we keep showing up, in whatever way we can, on w...

Please sponsor me! As you know autism is a cause very close to my heart so I am taking on the walking challenge WALK FOR AUTISM to raise funds for Autism Initiatives Group.  The challenge week for my 8 days of walking 10,000 steps a day is from 26th March to 2nd April.  I have already started adding to my pre the official week step count.  Please support me and go to my fundraising page https://www.walkforautism.co.uk/fundraisers/DavidHoldsworth and donate as much as you can  .   Thank you so much!