Freelance Year in Review 2025/26

Unbelievably, this is my third - yes, third - full year review of freelance life, covering the period April 2025 to March 2026. Another great year when I've not really stopped again, and I continue to be so grateful for everything that comes my way, with a good range of clients and types of work. I regularly wonder where the next bit of work will come from, but, I know I don't need to worry because God has got this all lined up for me. In response, I have become more intentional over the last year in focusing on mission led work where possible. It's a privilege to truly classify life as CommunityDan, as ministry.

This year, I have had the privilege to work alongside 15 direct clients including 3 long term agreements, plus 13 through my associate role with Community Enterprise. I hold 5 voluntary roles (trustee or similar) and also continue to volunteer with 2 radio stations. Once again, my work has taken me around a wide variety of places around Scotland, including venturing on to one of Scotland's many gorgeous islands - there's something nice about a commute on a boat! I also continued to support a church in the Diocese of Liverpool. You can see where I've been over at https://wanderlog.com/u/CommunityDan or the Scottish locations can be seen in the image below:

A map of Scotland showing places I've worked this year

As well as the client work, I've also met up with representatives from a few relevant support organisations to discuss the kind of work I do, and have also connected with some wonderful people with similar minds across the whole of the UK and beyond. This includes connecting with a worship organisation based in the US.

I continue to make mistakes with balancing time off against work time. The perils of working with churches and other community groups is that most activities tend to be on evenings and weekends. Sometimes I think I'm getting it right, and then something else comes along to mess my plans up. It's not always for paid work - some other opportunities have come my way over the last year and I try to make room for these where possible. The problem is, just when I think I'm getting the balance right, there's a mini cliff edge of paid work and my human nature takes over. But something else always comes along - maybe when I write next years review I will have finally learned this lesson. Okay, you're right! Probably not!

Anyway, before I dig myself a bigger hole, here's some graphs to show the kind of work I've been up to for the past year.

A Pie Chart summarising the types of work I've undertaken this year

I've grouped some similar categories together as the work types spread out a bit this year. There's some more clarity on the bar graph below.

A Bar Graph summarising the types of work I've undertaken this year

Most of my work remains around funding, but I've done a lot more guiding, mentoring, and sense checking, and less actual applications. I still keep my hand in with some but the aim to support people to complete their own applications knowing I'm there to check them over, is becoming more of a reality especially with the short term clients.

There's been a lot more thinking about how church buildings are actually working for local communities. Part of this is from active congregations who want to be more intentional in their ministry and mission, so with my help, we have undertaken reviews of their activities and how their church buildings actually support the need. But, with the current situation of many church buildings being closed and sold off, there has been a lot more work with other community groups who are looking to take ownership of the buildings to keep them as a service for the local community and, where possible, to retain worship within.

One thing that has challenged and encouraged me in equal measure, has been the privilege of sharing Gods word to client congregations. I had more opportunities for this over the last year and have lots in the diary already for the year ahead. There's something really special in stepping out from behind the laptop and encouraging the congregation, and their minister, by sharing a relevant message for them. I genuinely look forward to these opportunities and am so grateful. (I've written about a couple of last year's preaching engagements in previous blog posts).

With my radio ministry, I've taken on an additional show with one station, with a focus on worship. I also write a monthly column for a magazine linked to one of the stations which has been a really fun discipline.

So another year is done and once again, I wonder how long this will continue. For now, I continue to enjoy it and am grateful for the opportunities that come my way. And I do mean 'come my way' as so much of the work has literally come to me without any effort of my own. Well, other than serving other clients well so they tell people about me! That is such a blessing and means so much to me.

So whilst referrals from previous clients seems to be the way to go, if you've made it through this blog and think that I could help you with any of the above categories or anything vaguely similar, then please do get in touch. I'd love to grab a chat with you and, if you're relatively nearby to me in Central Scotland, let's grab a coffee and maybe even a cake!

Until next time......