Health and social care awareness days calendar 2025
As a communications agency dedicated to the health and social care sector, we understand the importance of raising awareness and driving meaningful conversations around wellbeing. Our comprehensive guide highlights key dates throughout the year, helping organisations plan campaigns, engage stakeholders and promote positive change.
Covering everything from mental health and physical wellness to environmental sustainability and social care, these awareness days provide valuable opportunities to champion important causes, spark dialogue and reinforce your commitment to the people and communities you support.
Dry January – January 2025
Challenging you to go alcohol free for 31 days and aims to raise awareness of effects of alcohol
World Religion Day – 19th January 2025
To promote inter-faith understanding and harmony.
Holocaust Memorial Day – 27th January 2025
Remembering the people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Parent Mental Health Day – 30th January 2025
An opportunity to recognise the importance of parents’ mental health and wellbeing in nurturing resilient, healthy young people.
LGBT+ History Month – February
To promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public.
World Cancer Day – 4th February 2025
Aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by encouraging individuals to take action.
Time To Talk Day – 6th February 2025
Getting people to talk about mental health and by doing so help change lives.
National Apprenticeship Week- 3rd-9th February 2025
Annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.
Children’s Mental Health Week – 9th – 15th February 2025
Launched by children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, the week exists to empower, equip, and give a voice to children and young people in the UK.
Eating Disorder Awareness Week 28th February – 6th March 2025
An international awareness event, fighting the myths and misunderstandings that surround eating disorders.
Rare disease day – 28th February 2025
Rare disease day is a patient led day to working towards equality in healthcare, diagnosis and therapies
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – March
Raising awareness on the importance of proactive healthcare and early detection in the fight against prostate cancer.
Brain Tumour Awareness Month – March
Raising vital awareness and funds to get closer to our vision of finding a cure for all types of brain tumours
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month – March
Ovarian cancer is a disease that can disrupt the normal function of the ovaries. If it’s left unchecked, it can affect other parts of the body too.
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Zero Discrimination Day – 1st March 2025
Celebrated by the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations. Aims to promote equality throughout all member countries.
International Women’s Day – 8th March
A global holiday celebrated annually to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women.
Healthcare Science Week – TBC 2025
Healthcare Science Week is an annual week-long programme designed to promote the work of healthcare science professionals.
Young Carers Action Day – 16th March 2025
Young Carers Action Day provides an opportunity for everyone to call for better support for young carers and young adult carers, and to bring about change.
National No Smoking Day – 12th March 2025
Help encourage as many smokers as possible to quit on No Smoking Day by organising your own event.
World Kidney Day – 13th March 2025
To help raise awareness of kidneys and educate people on what they do and how to improve your kidney health.
World Sleep Day – 14th March 2025
A celebration of sleep and a call to action on important issues related to sleep, including medicine, education, social aspects and driving.
Nutrition and Hydration Week – 17th-23rd March 2025
A shared objective to highlight, promote and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration locally, nationally and globally.
World Oral Health Day – 20th March
Celebrated globally every year on 20 March. Organised by FDI World Dental Federation.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – 21st March
On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws.
World Down Syndrome Day – 21st March
Advocating for the rights of people with Down Syndrome.
World Autism Acceptance Week 2025
An opportunity to get involved in helping to create a society that supports autistic people.
International Transgender Day of Visibility – 31st March
Celebrating trans and non-binary people and aiming to raise awareness of discrimination faced by trans and non-binary people worldwide.
World Autism Awareness Day – 2nd April
World Autism Awareness Day, observed on April 2nd, is a global initiative to raise awareness, foster understanding, and promote inclusion for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
World Health Day – 7th April
World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated annually on April 7th to highlight pressing health issues and promote wellbeing worldwide.
World Autism Acceptance Month – April
Promotes understanding, inclusion, and the celebration of neurodiversity while advocating for the rights and acceptance of individuals with autism.
World Parkinson’s Day – 11th April
World Parkinson’s Day is observed annually to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and advocate for improved care and research for those living with Parkinson’s disease.
Lesbian Visibility Week – 21st – 27th April 2025
Recognises and celebrates the contributions of lesbians.
Celebrating Social Care – April
Celebrating Social Care is a campaign that recognises the dedication and impact of social care professionals, highlighting their essential role in supporting individuals and strengthening communities.
Stress Awareness Month – April
Increasing public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic.
World Pre-Eclampsia Day – 1st May
A day raising awareness of the impact and causes of pre-eclampsia.
Time For A Cuppa – 1st – 8th May
Time For A Cuppa is Dementia UK’s annual event that aims bring people together to enjoy tea and treats while raising funds and awareness for dementia.
International Day of the Midwife – 5th May 2025
A day to celebrate midwives and showcase key stories from your nursing workforce in your organisation.
International Confederation of Midwives
World Hand Hygiene Day – 5th May 2025
Aiming to prevent healthcare-associated sepsis through hand hygiene and infection prevention and control action.
Deaf Awareness Week – 5th – 11th May 2025
The aim of Deaf Awareness Week is to raise awareness of hearing loss in the UK and its impact on people’s lives.
National Women’s Health Week – 11th – 17th May
Designed to highlight women’s health issues and priorities, encouraging all women to prioritise their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
International Nurses Day – 12th May 2025
A day to celebrate nurses and showcase key stories from your nursing workforce in your organisation.
International Council of Nurses
Mental Health Awareness Week – 12th – 18th May 2025
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness, challenging stigma, and encouraging open conversations about mental health and well-being.
Foster Care Fortnight – 12th – 25th May
Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest awareness-raising campaign for fostering.
National Day for Staff Networks – 14th May 2025
The National Day for Staff Networks aims to encourage collaboration, support aligned activity and further inspire the voice of network members.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day – 15th May 2025
To get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/ impairments.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
National Numeracy Day – 18th May 2025
Led by National Numeracy, this day involves different activities and events to encourage everyone to build their confidence with numbers.
Dementia Action Week – 19th – 25th May
Dementia Action Week is a national awareness campaign that encourages individuals and communities to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.
International Human Resources Day – 20th May 2025
An international day of recognition for all the hardworking HR and people professionals around the world.
International Human Resources Day
World MS Day – 30th May
World MS Day is a global campaign that brings the multiple sclerosis community together to raise awareness, share stories, and advocate for better support and research.
Dying Matters Awareness Week – May 2025
A week to encourage all communities to have open conversations about dying.
National Walking Month – May
Encourages people to walk more throughout May.
Stroke Awareness Month – May
Stroke Awareness Month, otherwise known as Make May Purple, takes place every May to raise awareness of strokes, the importance of recovery, prevention, and causes.
Volunteers’ Week – 2nd -6th June 2025
The NHS is supported by around 2 million volunteers every year and most NHS organisations celebrate their contribution during National Volunteers’ Week.
Carers Week – 9th – 15th June
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.
Loneliness Awareness Week – 9th – 15th June
Loneliness Awareness Week is a week dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness. It’s all about creating supportive communities by having open, honest conversations.
BNF Healthy Eating Week – 9th-13th June 2024
Have 5 A Day; Drink plenty; Get active; and try something new.
Men’s Health Week – 9th-15th June 2025
Led by the Men’s Health Forum to raise awareness of preventable health issues and encourage men and boys to seek professional advice for health-related problems.
Bike Week – 10th-18th June 2025
Encouraging people to get out cycling and switch to cycling as the best way to get around.
World Blood Donor Day – 14th June
Raising awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
Learning Disability Week – 16th – 22nd June 2025
Raising awareness about the issues that are important to people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
UK Windrush Day – 22nd June
Marking the anniversary of the arrival of MV Empire Windrush at the Port of Tilbury, near London, on 22 June 1948.
Share Lives Week – 23rd – 27th June
Share Lives Week is a week-long campaign designed to celebrate the best of Shared Lives and show gratitude for the amazing work of Shared Lives carers.
National Clean Air Day – June 20th 2025
A chance for the whole country to come together and improve air quality through collective action.
Cervical Screening Awareness Week – June 17th -23rd 2025
Around 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year.
South Asian Heritage Month – 18th July – 17th August
Aims to raise the profile and contribution of British South Asian history in the UK.
Samaritans Awareness Day 24/7 – 24th July
Samaritans Awareness Day (24/7) shines a light on the importance of listening and being there for others, promoting emotional support around the clock, every day of the year.
Alcohol Awareness Week – July 2025
A chance for the UK to get thinking about drinking. It’s a week of awareness-raising, campaigning for change, and more.
Good Care Month – July 2025
Good Care Month, observed throughout July in the UK, celebrates the vital contributions of social care workers and promotes careers in the care sector.
World Breastfeeding Awareness Week – 1st – 7th August 2025
The global campaign that aims to inform, anchor, engage and galvanise action on breastfeeding and related issues.
World Breastfeeding Awareness Week
Cycle to Work Day – 7th August 2025
UK’s biggest cycle commuting event.
International Youth Day – 12th August
Organised by the United Nations, International Youth Day is an initiative that celebrates the qualities of young people and that recognises the challenges that today’s youth can face.
World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September 2025
Promoting worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.
World Sepsis Day – 13th September 2025
An opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against sepsis.
World Patient Safety Day – 17th September 2025
Increasing public awareness and engagement, enhance global understanding, and spurring global solidarity and action to promote patient safety.
World Alzheimer’s Day – 21st September
World Alzheimer’s Day, which takes place every Sept. 21, is a global effort to raise awareness and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.
International Day of Sign Languages – 23rd September
Celebrated annually across the world on 23 September every year along with International Week of the Deaf.
National Fitness Day – 24th September
The UK’s biggest celebration of health and fitness.
World Pharmacists Day – 25th September 2025
A day to recognise and celebrate the crucial role that pharmacists play in building healthier communities everywhere.
World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – 26th September 2025
Support Macmillian by hosting your own coffee morning to raise awareness.
Organ Donation Week – 22nd – 27th September 2025
Encouraging people to join the NHS Organ Donor Register and encourage people to share their donation decision.
ICON week – 25th – 29th September
Raising awareness of infant crying and supporting carers to cope
UK National Inclusion Week 29th September – 5th October 2025
Designed to celebrate everyday inclusion in all its forms.
Urology Awareness Month – September 2025
Urology Awareness Month is an annual campaign running in September to raise awareness of urology diseases.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month – September 2025
A month raising awareness of the symptoms and need for more research into pulmonary fibrosis.
World Alzheimer’s Month – September 2025
A global opportunity to raise dementia awareness and support people affected by the disease.
National Pensions Awareness Week – September 2025
A week for raising awareness on the importance of preparing and saving for retirement.
Know Your Numbers Week – September 2025
Encouraging adults to know their blood pressure numbers and take the necessary action to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
World Mental Health Day – 10th October 2025
An opportunity to raise awareness and advocacy against mental health stigma.
National Coming Out Day – 11th October
An awareness day for LGBTQ+ people to celebrate being their authentic selves.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day – 11th October
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is observed annually on the second Saturday in October, highlighting the importance of palliative care and access to end-of-life support.
Allied Healthcare Professional Day – 14th October 2025
Celebrating the AHP profession across England
Baby Loss Awareness Week 9th – 15th October 2025
Give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.
International Pronouns Day – 15th October 2025
Seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace.
Developmental Language Disorder Day – 17th October 2025
Developmental Language Disorder affects 1 in 14 people causing difficulties understanding and using language for no known reason.
World Menopause Awareness Day – 18th October 2025
Raising awareness for women who are feeling lost and going through Menopause and need support.
International Menopause Society
Pharmacy Technician Day – 21st October 2025
Recognising the extraordinary contributions of pharmacy technicians to patient care and their essential role within the healthcare team.
International Stammering Awareness Day – 22nd October
Stammering associations, individuals and groups around the world organise events to raise awareness of stuttering.
International Stammering Awareness Day
National Work Life Week – 6th – 10th October 2025
For employers to show employees, and potential candidates your organisation has a flexible working culture and appreciates work life balance.
Back Care Awareness Week – 7th -11th October 2025
Raise awareness of the problems back pain can cause, as well as prevention and treatments.
UK Malnutrition Awareness Week – 9th – 15th October 2025
Raise awareness and understanding of preventable malnutrition in local communities and with health and social care professionals.
Infection Prevention Control Week – 19th – 25th October 2025
Infection prevention control week is about raising awareness for the important role we all play in keeping patients safe from infection.
Infection Prevention Control Week
National Pharmacy Week – 19th – 25th October 2025
Acknowledges the contributions pharmacists and technicians make to patient care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare settings
ADHD Awareness Month – October
A month-long initiative dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of ADHD.
Speak Up Month – October
A national campaign to illustrate the part which we all play in fostering a culture where people can speak up and be confident they will be listened to.
Stoptober – October
Encouraging the nation’s smokers to make a quit attempt for the month of October and beyond.
Sober October
Get involved in Sober October by going alcohol-free in October to raise money for people with cancer.
National Cholesterol Month – October
Devoted to raising funds for HEART UK and raising awareness of the dangers of high cholesterol.
Black History Month – October
A nationwide celebration of Black History, Arts and Culture throughout the UK.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month – October
To raise awareness for the disease and to raise funds for research. Information and free resources to help you with local campaigns.
Remembrance Sunday – 9th November 2025
Remembering the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms.
Armistice Day – 11th November 2025
To commemorate the end of hostilities of World War 1
World Diabetes Day – 14th November
World Diabetes Day is a global awareness campaign held annually to highlight the impact of diabetes and promote better prevention, diagnosis and care worldwide.
International Men’s Day – 19th November
Making a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of men and boys.
Transgender Day of Remembrance – 20th November
An annual observance to remember those who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence.
Transgender Day of Remembrance (GLAAD)
Carers Rights Day – 21st November
A national day to make carers and the wider public aware of the rights and support available to carers.
National Stress Awareness Week – 4th – 8th November
Raise awareness, publicity and profile of stress and its impact, and reduce stigma while promoting the importance of wellbeing and stress reduction.
National Stress Awareness Week
Inter Faith Week – 1oth – 17th November 2025
The aims of Inter Faith Week are to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels.
Psychological Professions Week – 11th – 15th November
An annual opportunity for the psychological professions to come together to celebrate the impact.
Anti-bullying Week – 11th – 15th November
Anti Bullying Week is organised by the Anti Bullying Alliance (ABA). The ABA is made up of anti-bullying organisations from all over the UK.
Tackling bullying in the NHS infographic
Trans Awareness Week – 13th – 19th November
This week helps raise the visibility of transgender people and address issues members of the community face.
National Self Care Week – 18th – 24th November
Self Care Week is an annual national awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self care across communities, families and generations.
Islamophobia Awareness Month – November
Raising awareness of Islamophobia and highlighting the positive contributions of Muslims to society.
Movember – Men’s Health Awareness Month – November
Responsible for thousands of moustaches on men’s faces. Aims to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health.
Mental health in the workplace
National Diabetes Month – November
Dedicated to increasing awareness and education on how diabetes affects the body and how it can be prevented.
Disability History Month – November – December
A month of activity to raise awareness and support people with disabilities.
16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence – 25th November – 10th December
A time to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls.
16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence – 25th November – 10th December
A time to galvanise action to end violence against women and girls.
16 Days of Action
Domestic violence facts and support
World Aids Day – 1st December
An opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness.
International Day of People with Disabilities – 3rd December
Since 1992, the United Nations IDPD has been annually celebrated around the world.