Learning at Work Week Learning at Work Week is a unique annual event to build learning cultures at work. It aims to put a spotlight on the importance and benefits of continual learning and development. The Campaign for Learning coordinate LAW Week nationally and offer resources and ideas for learning & development colleagues looking to run creative, innovative and inclusive [...]

Pride Month Every year, during the month of June, the LGBT community celebrates in a number of different ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognising the influence LGBT people have had around the world. Why was June chosen? Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place, way back in [...]

Shavuot, or Shavuos in some Ashkenazi usage, commonly known in English as the Feast of Weeks, is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan. In the Bible, Shavuot marked the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling appointments. Inpatient Impact: Family may bring in cheesecake and flowers, which [...]

Carers Week Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support. Find out more information here.

Men's Health Week This week is a time to bring awareness to health issues that affect men disproportionately and focuses on getting men to become aware of problems they may have or could develop, and gain the courage to do something about it. Find out more information here.

Guru Arjan Dev Martyrdom Approximately 30 million Sikhs around the world will celebrate and remember the religious figure that gave up his life for the Sikh people. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling appointments. Inpatient Impact: Family may attend with literature. Staff Impact: Staff may request the day off or rearrange their working day.

Autistic Pride Day Every year, organisations from across the globe celebrate Autistic Pride Day on June 18 with a variety of events. The aim of this day is to raise awareness amongst those who are not on the autistic spectrum disorder so they do not see autistic people as requiring treatment, but as unique individuals. This annual event was first [...]

Refugee Week Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Founded in 1998 and held every year around World Refugee Day on the 20 June, Refugee Week is also a growing global movement. Through a programme of arts, cultural, sports and educational events alongside media and creative campaigns, Refugee Week [...]

Learning Disabilities Week The event is organised every year by the learning disability charity, Mencap. It aims to improve the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities by raising awareness about important issues, fighting stigma and discrimination, and raising funds for outreach and support programs. Find out more information here.

Windrush Day Windrush Day was introduced in June 2018 on the 70th anniversary of the Windrush migration. Though Windrush Day is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom, it is an observed day. It is on 22nd June. It was instituted following a successful campaign led by Patrick Vernon. Find out more here.

Armed Forces Day Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. There are many ways for people, communities and organisations across the country to show their support and get involved. Find out more information here.

Eid al-Adha Eid al-Adha is the latter of the two official holidays which are celebrated within Islam. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah's command. Muslims sacrifice animals which are then distributed to relatives and the poor. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling appointments for the day before Eid and three [...]

South Asian Heritage Month South Asian Heritage Month runs from 18th July to 17th August every year. It seeks to raise the profile of British South Asian heritage and history in the UK through education, arts, culture and commemoration, with the goal of helping people to better understand the diversity of present-day Britain and improve social cohesion across the country. [...]

The Big Listen - Samaritans Awareness Day Samaritans are there to listen 24/7 for anyone that needs them. But they're also encouraging people to become better listeners. Why not get involved on social media on 24 July and pledge to become a better listener? Find out more here.

World Hepatitis Day World Hepatitis Day (WHD) takes places every year on 28 July bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change. Find out more information here.

Al-Hijra Al-Hijra, the Islamic New Year, is the first day of the month of Muharram. It marks the Hijra (or Hegira) in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina, and set up the first Islamic state. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling early morning appointments as many will spend the night before in prayer. Inpatient Impact: Many will want [...]

World Breastfeeding Week World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and galvanise action on themes related to breastfeeding. Target audiences including governments, health systems, workplaces and communities will be informed, educated and empowered to strengthen their capacity to provide and sustain breastfeeding-friendly environments for families in the post pandemic world. Find out more information here.

Tisha B'Av Tisha B'Av is an annual fast day in Judaism, on which a number of disasters in Jewish history occurred, primarily the destruction of both Solomon's Temple by the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the Second Temple by the Roman Empire in Jerusalem. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling morning appointments as there are restrictions applied until mid-day. Until midday, patients may want [...]

Ashura Ashura is an Islamic holiday that occurs on the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. For Muslims, Ashura marks the day in which the Islamic prophet Musa was saved by Allah when he parted the sea while leading the children of Israel to the land of Israel. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling appointments for [...]

International Youth Day International Youth Day focuses on tweens and teens and their place in society. It’s not just to protect them, but to include them in the development of communities around the world, whether they’re rich or poor. International Youth Day is held each year on the 12th of August and is an initiative that celebrates the qualities of [...]

Krishna Janmashtami Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. This is a time of celebration with fasting, singing, praying together, preparing and sharing special foods. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling appointments. Inpatient Impact: Family may attend with literature. Staff Impact: Staff may request [...]

Manchester Pride - The Big Weekend Manchester Pride is one of the UK's leading LGBTQ+ charities. It campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality, celebrates LGBTQ+ life and creates opportunities that engage LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester so that they can thrive. It is dedicated to promoting and raising awareness for LGBTQ+ issues in the fight for equality. Manchester Pride Festival is one [...]

World Suicide Prevention Day Every year organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide. Each year has a different theme and focus, to bring to light a specific aspect of suicide prevention. The latest suicides statistics showed that in 2018, in the UK and [...]

World Sepsis Day World Sepsis Day is an initiative by the Global Sepsis Alliance and has been established in 2012. The GSA is a non-profit charity organization with the mission to provide global leadership to reduce the worldwide burden of sepsis. Sepsis accounts for at least 11 million deaths worldwide annually. Yet, depending on country and education, sepsis is known [...]

Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah is a special festival which celebrates Jewish New Year. It literally means 'head of the year'. The festival lasts for two days. This is because the dates of Jewish festivals come from the Hebrew Calendar, so the Jewish New Year begins in autumn, as opposed to on 1 January. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling appointments as Sabbath-like [...]

Navaratri Navaratri is a Hindu festival that spans over nine nights and is celebrated every year in the autumn season. It is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Hindu Indian cultural sphere. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling evening appointments. Inpatient Impact: Strict Hindus will observe this festival by daily fasts which only allow one meal [...]

National Inclusion Week Inclusion Week is designed to celebrate everyday inclusion in all its forms. This will be the 10th year Inclusive Employers has brought organisations together from across the globe to celebrate, share and inspire inclusion practices. Find out more here.

Macmillan’s Coffee Morning Macmillan’s Coffee Morning is the biggest fundraising event to support people living with cancer. People all over the UK host their own Coffee Morning and donations raised on the day are made to Macmillan. The official date is Friday 30 September but it can be held at any time. From a group in the garden, sharing a [...]

Black History Month Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Black History Month continues the discussion of Black people and their [...]

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Down Syndrome Awareness Month is all about helping people understand what Down Syndrome is and how people with Down Syndrome experience the world. With one in 800 children being born with Down Syndrome each year, many outside of those statistics cannot comprehend what it is like to have a child with the disorder or be a [...]

Dyslexia Week Dyslexia Awareness Week is an annual event run by the British Dyslexia Association to raise awareness and further understanding of dyslexia. Every year resources are produced and information is shared with teachers, employers and the general public to highlight a different dyslexia-related theme. Find out more here.

Yom Kippur Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a day-long fast, confession, and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling appointments. Inpatient Impact: Sabbath-like restrictions. May wish to keep a full or limited [...]

World Mental Health Day World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. Find out more information here.

Baby Loss Awareness Week Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity to support bereaved parents and families and to unite with others across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives and lost pregnancies, to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss and to drive improvements in care and support for anyone affected and in the prevention of pregnancy and baby [...]

Diwali Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. The festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika. Outpatient Impact: Avoid scheduling appointments. Inpatient Impact: Expect visitors who may bring in special foods. May want to read from scriptures and use prayer beads. Patients [...]

World Stroke Day World Stroke Day is observed on October 29 to underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke, raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition, and ensure better care and support for survivors. Find out more here.

Islamophobia Awareness Month Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) was co-founded by MEND (Muslim Engagement and Development) with other British organisations in 2012 to deconstruct and challenge the stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. The campaign, held every November, aims to work with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC), local councils, journalists, local media outlets, councilors, local MPs, mosques, universities, schools, community organisations and [...]

Birthday of Guru Nanak Gurū Nānak, also referred to as Bābā Nānak, was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Katak Pooranmashi. Marked by prayer, processions and congregational worship beginning up to two days before. Prayers are also performed on the day starting as [...]

Armistice Day Armistice Day is commemorated every year on 11 November to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany. To this day we mark Armistice Day around the United Kingdom with a Two Minute Silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Find out more information here.

UK Disability History Month UK Disability History Month 2022 is from 18th November till 20th December. The aim has always been to celebrate the lives of Disabled People now and in the past, challenge Disabilism by exploring our oppression over time and now and also to achieve equality for disabled people. For more information, click here.

International Men’s Day International Men’s Day celebrates worldwide the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. One of the six pillars of International Men’s Day is to improve gender relations and promote gender equality not only for men but for women too. Find out more here.

End Violence Against Women Day Established in 2005, they campaign for every level of government to adopt better, more joined up approaches to ending and preventing violence against women and girls, and they challenge the wider cultural attitudes that tolerate and condone this abuse. Find out more information here.

World AIDS Day World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. Find out more information here.

Hanukkah The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and usually falls in [...]