aDoddle - Community Mapping

Children's Book Week
2026-05-04 - 2026-05-10
It’s Children’s Book Week! An annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading. Running from May 4th-10th 2026
Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, young people across the country participate by attending events at schools, libraries, bookstores, celebrating at home, and engaging with book creators both online and in person.
Literacy can be life changing, and that’s why it’s so important to encourage our children to read. It sets them up for a better future, where they better understand the world around them.

#ChildrensBookWeek #JoyOfReading #Literacy
Source*
https://everychildareader.net/cbw/about/

World Asthma Day
2026-05-05
In celebration of World Asthma Day 2026, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has chosen the theme “Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma – still an urgent need”. GINA emphasizes the need to ensure that people with #Asthma can access inhaled medications that are essential both for controlling the underlying disease and treating attacks.
Asthma attacks cause great distress for sufferers and their careers, and these attacks may result in hospital admission and, in some cases, death. Inhaled corticosteroid-containing medications prevent asthma attacks by treating the underlying inflammation that causes asthma.
Doctors and allied health care professionals are called upon to ensure that every person with asthma is prescribed evidence-based, essential, inhaled corticosteroid-containing medication in addition to (or in combination with) reliever medication, to prevent the continuing avoidable morbidity and mortality from asthma.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases that affects over 260 million people and is responsible for over 450,000 deaths each year worldwide. Most of these deaths are preventable.
In low-middle-income countries, lack of availability or high cost of inhaled medicines, especially inhaled corticosteroid-containing inhalers, are major contributors to the fact that 96% of global asthma deaths occur in these countries.
Even in high income countries, high costs can mean that many people with asthma have limited access to essential inhaled medicines, resulting in poorly controlled asthma and preventable asthma deaths.
Policy makers, governments, payers, and pharmaceutical industry manufacturers and suppliers are called upon to increase their awareness of the continuing preventable morbidity and mortality associated with asthma in spite of the existence of evidence based, highly effective management of asthma.
We call on everyone to increase their efforts to “Make Inhaled Treatments Accessible for ALL”, in all countries throughout the world.
Source: World Asthma Day 2026 – Global Initiative for Asthma – GINA

Mental Health Awareness Week
2026-05-11 - 2026-05-17
Today is the start of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
This week runs from the 11th to 17th May and was started by The Mental Health Foundation. It provides an opportunity for the UK to focus on achieving good mental health, and to raise awareness for mental health issues.
The theme for 2026 is “Take Action”
This Mental Health Awareness Week we’re asking people to join us in taking action to support good mental health. Even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. And while our individual actions matter, when we come together we are even more powerful.

We’ve chosen Action as this year’s theme because, while awareness is vital, real change comes when we take action too. Together, we’ve come a long way on mental health, but we can’t risk going backwards. There’s still much we can do to prevent people becoming unwell in the first place.

Raising awareness is vital, but real change comes when we take action to !

Source: Mental Health Awareness Week | Mental Health Foundation

Endangered Species Day
2026-05-15
It’s #EndangeredSpeciesDay
This day was created as a way to remind us of how fragile the existence of some animals, plants and insects is, and to encourage us to learn about why it is so important to protect these species.
It is also a perfect time to learn about and celebrate the progress made to protect wildlife since the creation of the Endangered Species Act in 1973.
Four Ways to Celebrate
1. Become a Member of the National Wildlife Federation
Join millions across the country in supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
2. Update Your Facebook Cover Photo
Show your support for endangered species with a photo of your favourite wildlife species. Let us know you did it by tagging the National Wildlife Federation.
3. Attend an Endangered Species Day event
Events are held across the country to highlight endangered species stories. Find an event near you.
4. Help Kids Learn About Biodiversity
The National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-Schools USA has resources to get students ready to celebrate biodiversity and conservation.
Sources*Endangered Species Day – Endangered Species Coalition

Global Accessibility Awareness Day
2026-05-21
It’s #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay!
We’re in the process of forging a new digital world, and making it accessible for everyone is as important as ever.
Every user deserves a first-rate digital experience on the web. Someone with a disability must be able to experience web-based services, content and other digital products with the same successful outcome as those without disabilities. This awareness and commitment to inclusion is the goal of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), a global event that shines a light on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day on the 21st May is all about getting everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments.
Accessibility isn’t just about making features more accessible for the disabled, it’s about making changes that will benefit everyone. The curb cut effect exemplifies this perfectly.

#GAAD #GlobalAccessibility
Source* https://accessibility.day/

World Hunger Day
2026-05-28
It’s World Hunger Day on 28th May.
Hunger is not inevitable. It is created by systems we have the power to change. Every day, people around the world are proving that transformation is possible: farmers regenerating their land, women leading local governments, youth launching climate-smart innovations and communities organizing for their own development.
This year’s World Hunger Day celebrates the contributions we all make: the hands that plant seeds, lift others up, learn new skills, build solutions, share knowledge, raise voices and open new futures.
And it invites the world to join them.
#WorldHungerDay #GoodNutrition #SowingResiliance

Source & Find Out More: http://worldhungerday.org/

World Digestive Health Day
2026-05-29
WDHD 2026
Your Digestive Health:
Chronic Diarrhea: Don’t Flush the Signs Away
Each year, the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) celebrates World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) with a global public health campaign to raise awareness about the prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management, and treatment of digestive diseases and disorders.
Chronic diarrhea is an often underreported and misunderstood condition, as many individuals experience embarrassment and therefore refrain from seeking treatment unless they develop serious symptoms. Because the condition can signal more serious underlying diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome, the need for increased awareness and timely consultation is greater than ever.
This year’s World Digestive Health Day campaign underscores three key messages regarding chronic diarrhea:

Know what your colon is trying to tell you.
When in doubt, get underlying conditions ruled out.
Chronic diarrhea deserves attention, not embarrassment.

Together, let’s raise awareness about chronic diarrhea and create a healthier world, free of stigma, for everyone.
Digestive health forms the foundation of overall wellness, influencing not only physical vitality but also mental and emotional balance. The digestive system absorbs essential nutrients that fuel the body’s functions and supports long-term health. By prioritizing nourishing foods and making informed lifestyle choices, individuals can proactively maintain their digestive health, reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disorders, and improve their overall quality of life.
This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of nourishment in every sense—through balanced diets, hydration, and mindful eating habits. It also invites people from all walks of life to engage in conversations about digestive health and share their unique perspectives. Together, we can promote early detection, preventive care, and innovative solutions to digestive health challenges, creating a healthier future for everyone.

#WDHD2026 #YourDigestiveHealth #DontFlushtheSignsAway
Source: WDHD (worldgastroenterology.org)

World Environment Day
2026-06-05
Today is World Environment Day!
#WorldEnvironmentDay happens on 5th June every year.
Every year there is a different theme for World Environment Day. This year, the theme is #NowForClimate
The planet doesn’t argue. It doesn’t negotiate. It sends signals—rising seas, raging wildfires, heatwaves, melting glaciers.
We said 1.5°C was the limit. We are crossing it.
For decades, the world has heard the climate story—warnings, targets, distant deadlines. Too often, the response has been clouded by noise: delay, distraction, denial.
But listen closer now. Beneath the noise, another signal is rising. Solar panels stretch across rooftops. Wind turbines line the horizon. Cities are being redesigned for people. Forests are being replanted. Positive tipping points are taking root in every corner of the planet.
#WorldEnvironmentDay 2026 focuses on climate change—on the urgent signals the Earth is sending and the signals we choose to send back. UNEP’s global campaign calls on all of us to step in #NowForClimate, and steer a world already in motion. See how you can get involved.
Azerbaijan will host the global observance, while a cascade of events, campaigns, and creative actions will unfold across continents—on screens, in streets, and in communities everywhere.
#SaveThePlanet #GenerationRestoration #WED2026 #NoPlanetB #NowForClimate
Source: World Environment Day

World Blood Donor Day
2026-06-14
Every year on June 14th it is #WorldBloodDay, a day to raise awareness of the importance of blood donations to the healthcare industry. From plasma treatments to research and emergency uses, blood donation is a vital practice that can save lives!
Donating blood is not just for the sole purpose of transfusion — it has many other benefits for the health industry. World Blood Donor Day aims to raise awareness regarding the need for regular blood donations, important to keep the health industry with a stable supply, and to celebrate the hard work of medical professionals that work in the research and development for new technology and uses for donated blood, as well as medical teams who use blood on a regular basis. This day is also used to thank donors for their service and determination to save lives and make the world a better place.
#BloodDonation #GiveBlood
Find out more about donating blood here: https://www.blood.co.uk/why-give-blood/demand-for-different-blood-types/

Nelson Mandela International Day
2026-07-18
Nelson Mandela has many accolades. He’s  an iconic figure that triumphed over South Africa’s apartheid regime. He was a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, and an international peacemaker. And he was the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa (no biggie).
So you see why the United Nations General Assembly would want to celebrate his life.
Commemorated on July 18th — Nelson Mandela’s birthday — Nelson Mandela International Day celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world and the ability to make an impact. So, in honour of his 67 years of public service, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the U.N. ask that you spend 67 minutes of your time helping others.
Source: NELSON MANDELA DAY – July 18, 2026 – National Today

International Self-Care Day
2026-07-24
Every year on July 24th, International Self Care Day promotes self-care as a vital foundation of health. It’s also a day for people around the world to prioritise self-care and make it a part of their lifestyle.
When you take care of yourself to stay well, you are practicing #SelfCare. Staying well includes taking care of your whole self: physically, mentally, and emotionally. For some, self-care also includes taking care of themselves spiritually. So what exactly does self-care look like? It could be as simple as having some quiet time each day. Others might have coffee with a friend at least once a week.
Other examples of self-care include:

Having a regular sleep routine
Maintaining a healthy weight
Keeping a reflective journal
Practicing gratitude
Getting a massage
Listening to relaxing music
Reading a good book
Learning to say no
Asking for help when necessary

There are other areas of self-care that some focus on as well. For example, financial self-care involves paying bills on time and putting money into savings. Monitoring time on social media and decluttering your home are included in environmental self-care.
No matter what kind of self-care one practices, one is bound to reap benefits. Having a healthier mind and body are the two primary benefits. Other benefits of self-care include feeling less stressed and being less overwhelmed. Self-care is especially important for caregivers. It’s easy for a caregiver to pour all of their time and energy into another person. Doing so eventually takes its toll. As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first.”
Source: INTERNATIONAL SELF CARE DAY – July 24 – National Day Calendar

International Friendship Day
2026-07-30
Today is International Day of Friendship !
Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division — such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses — among many others — that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world’s peoples.
To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms — the simplest of which is friendship.
Through #Friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust — we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.

Source: International Day of Friendship | United Nations

World Breastfeeding Week
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-07
#WBW2026 will focus on tracking progress and evaluating breastfeeding impact on nutrition, food security and poverty reduction with highlights of successful implementation and lessons learnt. In 2026, the WBW-SDG campaign will enter its third cycle and will focus on tracking progress in Thematic Area 1: Nutrition, food security and poverty reduction. The campaign will measure progress, showcase global and regional statistics with highlights of what works and what needs further improvement.

Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding will ensure optimum nutrition, food security and poverty reduction. Breastfeeding saves both the infant and maternal lives. It also supports nutrition, development and lifelong health. Breastmilk is a low-cost, locally available nutrition for all, hence promoting equity with economic returns to families and nations. We invite all the actors in the Warm Chain of Support for Breastfeeding to join us in understanding what is working in countries that are reporting good breastfeeding progress.

#Breastfeeding can act as an equaliser in our society and efforts must be made to ensure everyone has access to breastfeeding support and opportunities. It is essential that no-one is left behind especially vulnerable mothers who may need additional support to reduce breastfeeding inequalities.
Target audiences including governments, policymakers, workplaces, communities and parents will be engaged to play their critical roles in empowering families and sustaining breastfeeding-friendly environments in the post-pandemic work life. The theme is aligned with thematic area 4 of the WBW-SDG 2030 campaign.

#EnablingBreastfeeding #EmpoweringParentsCampaign #BreastfeedingSupport #StrengthenWhatWorks

Source: World Breastfeeding Week 2026

International Youth Day
2026-08-12
International Youth Day on August 12th focuses on the difficulties that some young people are experiencing throughout the world. Half the children between the age of six and 13 lack basic reading and math skills and childhood poverty is still a prevalent problem globally.
#InternationalYouthDay was created by the UN to help draw awareness to these issues as we strive to find solutions. It’s a day for reflection but also a day for taking action so get involved. There’ll be many concerts, workshops and cultural events taking place so have a look at what is happening in your local area.
It’s an initiative that honours the traits of young people and that acknowledges the challenges that today’s fledging youth face. To support the elimination of these issues it is important that the youth is able to reach the right resources for education, wellbeing, medicine and more.
International Youth Day began in 2000 and was organised by the UN to recognise the input that young people make in education, community development, environmental groups, volunteering for different social projects.

Source: International Youth Day (nationaltoday.com)
