aDoddle - Community Mapping

World Chocolate Day
2026-07-07
World Chocolate Day is sometimes referred to as International Chocolate Day.
It takes place on 7 July every year, and put simply, it’s a celebration of all things chocolate! The event was created in 2009. In some countries around the world, the day is celebrated on different dates. But July 7 was chosen for World Chocolate Day because this day is thought to be around the time that chocolate was introduced to European countries. It quickly became a favourite treat in South Africa and across the world!
There are all sorts of different ways that you can celebrate World Chocolate Day. The most obvious is by tucking into some chocolate, but what if you’re after some more outside the (chocolate) box ideas?
Why not bake some delicious chocolate chip cookies with your kids, or watch “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” movie with your family. Or find some fun facts and the history around chocolate?
Source: World Chocolate Day 2026 | 7th July | Twinkl – Twinkl

Disability Awareness Day
2026-07-12
Disability Awareness Day is a pan-disability event which promotes a can-do culture focusing on what disabled people can do throughout life and work. The show has three main aims:

To highlight what statutory, private or voluntary services are available to enable disabled people to stay independent.
To promote equipment and aids that could maintain or improve independence, not just what is offered by statutory service providers, we want everyone to see the best and/or latest designs
To provide an opportunity to showcase what disabled people can do, in the field of Sport, Arts and Entertainment

As well as fulfilling all these aims every year the show also gives everyone who comes a really good day out filled with interest, fun and entertainment!
Source:Disability Awareness Day Warrington Cheshire

National Give Something Away Day
2026-07-15
Imagine a day when you could clean house and get rid of clutter, show someone that you care, gift small things to strangers, and generally making the world a better place. Yes, this day does, in fact, exist and on July 15 we celebrate National Give Something Away Day!
It’s better to give than to receive, and this is the aim behind #NationalGiveSomethingAwayDay. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” doesn’t literally mean junk or trash, but items that can serve someone else better. The day encourages people to give freely to others without expecting anything in return. This is also a good way to declutter and pass on things that no longer fit us or are useful to us.
Most of us undoubtedly have way more items than we need. National Give Something Away Day was established on July 15, 2015, by Linda Eaton Hall-Fulcher, a self-proclaimed giver. Linda advocates giving back to the world. According to her, this day is for everyone who cares. It advocates for giving to friends, family, and the less fortunate; for #MindfulConsumerism; and for being more aware of our #CarbonFootprint.
Giving is the simplest act to exist that can brighten up another’s day, and at times really bring about a positive change. Whether it is something small like giving a compliment, giving your friend a jacket of yours that she really likes, or donating clothes to the less fortunate, these little things can have a big impact.
Even though giving is a selfless act, the reward goes both ways. We benefit from feeling good about giving and making someone’s day, and at the same time, we also let go of items that we no longer need and are just lying around. We also learn to be grateful for all our blessings and it makes us feel like responsible people who are improving the community.

Source:National Give Something Away Day (nationaltoday.com)

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

Samaritans Awareness Day
2026-07-24
24th July is Samaritans Awareness Day, because they’re here to listen 24/7.
On this date and throughout July, The Samaritans will be running their awareness-raising campaign Talk to Us, to remind people that they’re here for anyone who needs someone to listen.
Every year in July, Samaritans branches in the UK and Republic of Ireland hold local events to raise awareness that Samaritans are here to listen to anyone who’s struggling to cope, at any time of the day or night.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
#TalkToUs #SamaritansAwarenessDay
Source: Talk To Us Campaign | Samaritans Campaigns

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

National Schizophrenia Day
2026-07-25
National Schizophrenia Awareness Day, marked on 25 July every year by the charity Rethink Mental Illness, explores what it means to live with this much misunderstood and often stigmatised mental health condition.
In England, approximately one adult in every 100 will live with a diagnosis of #Schizophrenia.
By shattering some of the myths and breaking the stigma and prejudice which surrounds this diagnosis, Rethink Mental Illness continues to provide support and community for people living with schizophrenia and their loved ones.
On National Schizophrenia Awareness Day, which coincides with the founding of the charity nearly 50 years ago, Rethink Mental Illness shines a spotlight on the condition and the dedicated work to improve the quality of life for people living with schizophrenia and their carers.
#SupportMentalHealth #RethinkMentalIllness
Source: National Schizophrenia Awareness Day 2026 | 25 July 2026

World Hepatitis Day
2026-07-28
Every year, more than a million lives are lost to hepatitis. We’re not waiting for change – we’re fighting to make it happen.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection. There are five main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These five types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread.

With viral hepatitis unaware can’t wait for testing
People living with hepatitis can’t wait for life saving treatments
Expectant mothers can’t wait for hepatitis screening and treatment
Newborn babies can’t wait for birth dose vaccination
People affected by hepatitis can’t wait to end stigma and discrimination
Community organisations can’t wait for greater investment
Decision makers can’t wait and must act now to make hepatitis elimination a reality through political will and funding.

We’re not waiting
‘We’re not waiting’ is a call to action for #WHD2026. It’s a call to accelerate elimination efforts of viral #Hepatitis now and the urgent need for testing and treatment for the real people who need it. Individuals and communities around the world are making change happen in their own lives and in the world around them. We celebrate them, while demanding more action.
#We’reNotWaiting #ViralHepatitus LetsBreakItDown
Source: World Hepatitis Day – World Hepatitis Day

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
