We continue our series highlighting the important dates on the EDI calendar to help you and your teams plan activities and events in 2024.
We’re looking here at significant dates and awareness days for those with parenting or caring here, but remember that the Empower Up list of important dates and events is constantly updated and can help you with month-by-month planning, as it covers the key dates associated with all groups and communities.
There are a number of recognition and awareness dates for families and those with caring responsibilities. But the dates that are probably the most key for parents are the school holidays, which can often bring challenges when it comes to childcare. We have included these dates here so that you can be aware of the tricky times for your teams who have children. But please note: dates vary according to regions across the UK, so we’ve included the full range of dates that children around the UK will be on school holidays. If you organise events, it’s worth noting that these times are often tricky for parents, too.
February 12th-23rd – HALF TERM HOLIDAY
March 21st – Single Parents Day
Since 2018 Single Parents Day has been celebrated in the UK, the date having been acknowledged in the US since 1984. Support charity Gingerbread brings attention on this day to the challenges faced by single parents, as well as recognising their achievements.
LINK: https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/about-us/days-we-celebrate/single-parents-day/
March 25th – April 15th – EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY
April 24th – 30th – Global Intergenerational Week
This is an annual campaign that looks to inspire individuals, groups and organisations to look at ways to connect individuals from all generations.
LINK: https://generationsworkingtogether.org/global-intergenerational-week
May 27th-31st – HALF TERM HOLIDAY
June 10th-16th – 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.
LINK: https://www.carersweek.org
July 19th-September 5th – SUMMER SCHOOL HOLIDAY (The BIG one!)
August 1st-7th – World Breastfeeding Week
World Breastfeeding Week started in 1992, with annual themes including healthcare systems, women and work, education, human rights and more. Since 2016 the event has been aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
LINK: https://waba.org.my/wbw/
September 16th-22nd – World Childless Week
As the name suggests, this event raises awareness of those who are childless not by choice.
LINK: https://worldchildlessweek.net
October 1st – International Day of Older Persons
This day was established in 1991 by the United Nations to raise awareness of the impact of an ageing population.
LINK: https://www.un.org/en/observances/older-persons-day
October 9th-15th – Baby Loss Awareness Week
A time for those who have suffered loss to acknowledge their grief and come together as a support community. The #WaveOfLight messages of remembrance and hope bring many people together.
LINK: https://babyloss-awareness.org
October 18th – November 1st – HALF TERM HOLIDAY
October 14th – National Adoption Week
An event to share the stories of adoptive families and to raise awareness of the adoption process.
LINK: https://www.youcanadopt.co.uk/naw/
December 20th – January 6th – CHRISTMAS SCHOOL HOLIDAY
To ensure that you’re on top of all the important dates in the EDI calendar, bookmark the Empower Up Events page here.
