PGP / SPD My story:

Aycliffe Alternative Magazine – June Edition 2026 The latest edition of Aycliffe Alternative Magazine is now available to read online. This link will remain active until the August 2026 edition is published. I'm incredibly proud to shine a light on so many inspiring individuals, businesses, charities, community groups, and organisations both locally and beyond. Every issue is a celebration of the people making a positive difference within our communities. Thank you to everyone who contributed, shared their stories, supported the magazine, advertised, or allowed us to feature their work. Your passion, creativity, and dedication are what make this publication possible. Happy reading! ❤️ Sarah Wingfield  Editor-in-Chief  Aycliffe Alternative Magazine  https://kawaiidolldecora.uk/aycliffe-alternative #AycliffeAlternativeMagazine #CommunityNews #SupportLocal #NewtonAycliffe #CountyDurham

I used to believe this . Up until recently. I used to think that if people lied, harassed, stalked, threatened, smeared, or targeted me, the answer was to correct them, defend myself, explain, provide evidence, and make them see reason. What I've learned is that some people don't want resolution. They want attention. They want a reaction. They want to know they're taking up space in your head and stealing your time. Not anymore. These days, I block, ignore, log, and report. I have a community to support, advocacy work to do, a magazine to publish, a young person to mentor, family to love, and a life to live. I'm not wasting my energy arguing with people who have already decided who they want me to be. The truth doesn't need me to repeat it every five minutes. People with logic, common sense, and critical thinking skills will look at the evidence and come to their own conclusions. Those are the people I want around me anyway. In a strange way, abuse often reveals who...

Reactive Abuse Awareness: Reactive abuse is often a trauma response. It's what happens when someone is repeatedly provoked, antagonised, manipulated, harassed, lied about, threatened, or pushed beyond their limits. What many people fail to acknowledge is that those who engage in abusive behaviour rarely talk about what they did to create the reaction they later use as "proof" against their target. They don't talk about the name-calling. They don't talk about the lies. They don't talk about the stalking. They don't talk about the boundary violations. They don't talk about the threats. They don't talk about the attempts to recruit others into campaigns of hatred and harassment. Instead, they focus entirely on the reaction. A reaction they often spent weeks, months, or even years trying to provoke. Kind people don't obsess over people who have blocked them. Kind people don't repeatedly talk about someone who wants no contact with them. Kind pe...

Floofy Bees, Small Wins & Reasons to Be Grateful 🐝 🌼 Today was one of those days that reminded me why gratitude matters. I've been making a conscious effort recently to focus on the positives, especially when life feels overwhelming, so I picked up a daily gratitude journal from Tesco. It's a simple little thing, but sometimes the smallest tools can help shift your mindset and encourage you to notice the good that's already there. This week has given me plenty to be grateful for. I've lost 10lbs using Foodvisor, which feels like a huge achievement. Not because of the number itself, but because it's evidence that consistency adds up. When you live with chronic pain, disability, and fluctuating energy levels, progress rarely looks dramatic. More often, it's made up of tiny decisions repeated over and over again until one day you realise you've moved closer to your goal. I'm making plans, meeting goals, and continuing to move forward, even on the diff...

Too sensitive!!!! I'd rather be labelled "too sensitive" than become the kind of person who watches others being mistreated and shrugs their shoulders. For years I was told I was too emotional, too intense, too caring, too outspoken, too affected by things that "weren't my problem." What I've learned is that many people confuse empathy with weakness because they have become so used to cruelty, gossip, bullying, exclusion, injustice, and abuse that they barely notice it anymore. I notice it. I notice when people are struggling. I notice when someone is being targeted. I notice when vulnerable people are being ignored. I notice when something isn't right. And no, I don't think that's a flaw. The world doesn't need fewer people who care. It needs more. If being "sensitive" means I speak up when others stay silent, help when others walk away, and refuse to normalise harmful behaviour, then I'm perfectly happy wearing that label....

A reminder to slow down: A lovely afternoon at Ropner Park with Peter after I took my young person out to the cinema to watch Toy Story 5. ❤️ What struck me most about the film is how much of it reflects real life. People need purpose, connection, kindness, and somewhere they feel they belong. Lately I've been reminded that a lot of people are carrying around hurt, frustration, and bitterness. Sometimes it shows up in the way they treat others. That's why I think connection matters so much. A chat with a friend, quality time with family, supporting someone who needs it, or simply spending time in nature can make such a difference. For me, parks like this are a reminder to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the things that actually matter. The people we love. The memories we make. The opportunities we have to help one another. The world could do with a little more understanding and a little less judgement. Hope you've all had a lovely day. 🌳✨ Sarah Wingfield ❤️ Independent ...