Behind the Scenes at DEVA: A Season of Learning & Moving Forward

As we head towards the end of the year, I’ve found myself looking back over the past three months, a period that’s been full, stretching, and genuinely meaningful in so many ways. There’s been growth (the good kind and the uncomfortable kind), new challenges, brilliant clients, and plenty of moments that have reminded me exactly why DEVA exists.

DEVA has always been about supporting people with clarity, structure and compassion, meeting them where they are, without judgement. And this quarter has reinforced just how important that work is, not only for my clients but for me too.

Here’s a little look at what’s been happening behind the scenes…

Deepening Client Support: Executive Function, Storytelling & Specialist Administration

Client work has been incredibly varied, intentional, and rewarding this quarter. DEVA continues to evolve into a space where neurodiversity informed support meets practical, meaningful action.

Over the last three months, I’ve supported clients with:

• Executive Function Support – helping clients manage overwhelm, deadlines, organisation, emotional load, and day-to-day structure.

• Access to Work guidance – including workplace adjustments, evidence gathering, and ongoing implementation support.

• Creative development support, including helping a client craft their first fiction book, reading research materials, assisting with plot and character development, and becoming genuinely invested in their storyline.

• Research project assistance, providing structured admin, organisation, research, and task management to keep momentum and clarity throughout the project.

• Diary, inbox and CRM management for three executives, ensuring smooth scheduling, clear priorities, strong communication flow and firm boundaries during an incredibly busy period.

• Client sourcing and pipeline development for a freelance videographer, supporting visibility, outreach strategies, and practical business growth.

• Specialist administration, from document creation and communication drafting to systems organisation and project coordination.

• Gathering financial data for self-assessments, ensuring everything is organised and accurate.

• General bookkeeping, including reconciliation, expense tracking, and financial organisation.

Every piece of client work reinforces why DEVA exists: to provide grounded, compassionate, neurodiversity-led support that makes life feel more manageable, structured and calm.

Powys Business Awards: A Proud Moment

One of the biggest highlights of this quarter was the Powys Business Awards 2025. What an incredible evening it was.

Although I didn’t win the Sole Trader category, I genuinely felt honoured just to be a finalist. Standing alongside so many inspiring, passionate and successful businesses from across the county was something really special. The room was full of talent, innovation and community spirit and being included in that line-up meant more than I can put into words.

It was also such a joy to get dressed up and spend the evening with my family, something we don’t do nearly often enough. We laughed a lot, celebrated together, and made some really lovely memories. Having them by my side made the whole experience even more meaningful.

While I didn’t come home with the award, what I did come home with was pride, perspective, and a renewed sense of purpose. Being recognised for DEVA’s work, especially as a neurodiversity-led business built on compassion, clarity and community was incredibly affirming.

Stepping Into My Counselling Foundation Course

A big personal milestone this quarter has been starting my six month online Foundation Counselling Course.

I’ve never seen myself as particularly academically gifted (or at least that’s how it’s always felt), so even logging into that first session came with nerves, excitement, and a healthy dose of imposter syndrome. But it’s already proving to be such a valuable experience.

The course is really shaping the way I listen, reflect, hold space and support others, skills that blend beautifully with the work I do through DEVA every single day.

This is the first step on a longer journey: a two year pathway that will eventually lead me to becoming a fully qualified counsellor. It’s a long road, but one I feel genuinely excited to walk.

International Women’s Day 2026: Planning Is Underway

It’s that time of year again when the IWD team comes back together, one of my favourite moments in the calendar.

We’ve had our first meeting, mapped out the structure for the event, and are now focusing on reaching out to the fabulously talented women in our community to invite them onto our panel. This is always one of the most inspiring parts of the process, because Powys is full of brilliant women doing incredible things, and bringing them together in one space feels like magic every time.

There’s still plenty to do (there always is!), but we’re on it. And honestly, it’s been such a pleasure to gather with the team again; to reconnect, to share ideas, and to get excited about what we’re creating for 2026.

International Women’s Day is always a powerful moment of celebration, reflection and community, and I can already feel next year’s event shaping up to be something really special.

NeuroHub VA Network: Connection, Community & Real Conversations

The NeuroHub VA Network continues to grow into a genuinely special space for neurodiverse VAs and the clients who need them.

Over the last three months:

• We’ve welcomed new members into the directory

• We launched a monthly conversation starter series, now repurposed across LinkedIn and Instagram

• We hosted our regular Chat & Learn sessions, with exciting speakers lined up for the New Year

• We’ve been supporting fellow VAs through the December rush and year-end overwhelm

NeuroHub is becoming exactly what we hoped it would be: a place where neurodiverse professionals can work safely, authentically, and without the pressure to mask their way through business.

Ebb & Flow: Women’s Stories, Community & a Beautiful Year Ahead

Ebb & Flow has been a huge part of this quarter, and one of our biggest moments was when Sarah and I presented (on behalf of the whole team) at the Powys County Council Town & Community Council Meeting at The Foundry. It was a brilliant opportunity to share our work, our impact, and the importance of creating safe, accessible spaces for women in our community.

This year, we’ve hosted bi-monthly events, each one designed to open up honest conversations and support wellbeing and we already have a full schedule lined up for 2026, which we’re really excited about.

Some highlights from this quarter:

• We showcased our community project to council members, highlighting the positive outcomes, local engagement, and the direction we’re heading.

• We finalised plans for our January 2026 event, centred around open, honest conversations about alcohol, overwhelm, and returning to yourself. I’ll be sharing my own drinking journey and the path that led to my sobriety.

• Our final event of the year is on Monday 1st December, where we’ll be exploring Imposter Syndrome, something so many of us experience but rarely talk about.

What continues to move me is how powerful it is when women come together exactly as they are, without judgement, without pressure, and without needing to pretend. Ebb & Flow is becoming a space for real stories, real connection, and real support, and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of it.

Boundaries, Growth & Looking Ahead

One theme that’s come up again and again over the last few months is boundaries, with clients, with workload, and with myself. It’s something I talk about often in my work, but I’m reminded regularly that boundaries aren’t something you “master.” They’re something you keep practising, adjusting, and learning from.

As we move into the new year, DEVA’s focus remains clear:

• Compassionate structure

• Neurodiversity-led support

• Open, grounded communication

• Helping life feel a little lighter, calmer, and more manageable for the people I support

It’s work that matters deeply to me, and I’m excited to carry it forward into the months ahead.

A Little Round-Up & Warm Wishes for the Season Ahead

Looking back over the past three months has reminded me just how much can happen in such a short space of time; the growth, the challenges, the learning, the joy, and the countless small moments that make this work so meaningful. Whether you’re part of DEVA, IWD, NeuroHub, Ebb & Flow, or simply someone who follows along with what I do, I’m incredibly grateful to have you here.

As we step into the festive season and the turn of a new year, I want to gently wish you whatever you most need; rest, connection, calm, courage, joy, or simply a moment to breathe. However you mark this time of year (or even if you don’t at all), I hope it brings you warmth, kindness and a little bit of space for yourself.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me.

Here’s to a peaceful end to the year and a hopeful, steady start to the next one.