World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2026 takes place from 18 to 24 November 2026, coordinated globally by the World Health Organization.

Theme

• "One Health, one action: Prevent AMR now"

Key Focus & Details

• Core Purpose: To raise global awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and to promote best practices across human, animal, plant, and environmental health.
• Global Threat: Bacterial AMR is already tied to more than 4.7 million deaths each year, with projections warning it could reach up to 39 million deaths annually by 2050 if urgent action isn't taken.
• Global Action Plan: Highlights the updated Global Action Plan on AMR (2026–2036), urging sectors to cut down unnecessary antimicrobial use in agrifood systems, curb environmental pollution, and improve access to safe diagnostics and treatments.
• Regional Campaigns: Running concurrently with international efforts, local health initiatives take place worldwide, including European Antibiotic Awareness Day on 18 November and the UK's Antibiotic Guardian pledge campaign.

If you would like to fond out more - https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2026/11/18/default-calendar/world-amr-awareness-week-2026

Last year saw an increase in measles cases, taking the number of cases to the highest it has been in decades. Vaccination is important to ensure the long-term health of your child, and of the nation as a whole.

From 1 January 2026, all children will be offered the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccine at 12 and 18 months of age. This adds protection against chickenpox to the existing provision of protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.

This guidance for healthcare professionals describes eligibility, administration and safety, and answers frequently asked questions about the new vaccination programme.

To learn more about the MMRV vaccine vist the NHS webpage https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/mmrv-vaccine/ 

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious illnesses, with potentially life-changing complications, that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Mumps outbreaks are currently occurring across England. Children need two doses of the safe and effective MMR vaccine. Both doses are needed to ensure full and lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

If your child has missed either of these two doses, please contact us for an appointment with Nurse Jo. It’s never too late to catch up and protect those around you.

The Movember initiative started 22 years ago as a simple idea: get a few mates to grow moustaches in November and start a serious conversation about men's health. Today Movember and the Movember Institute of Men’s Health partner year-round with communities, researchers and governments to help men live healthier, longer lives, and raise millions to help fund prevention-focused work across mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

You can join in the ‘classic’ way by growing a moustache during November and raising money through sponsorship. You can also ‘Move for Mental Health’, pledging to walk or run 60km during November, all at once, or spread across the month, to highlight the fact that 60 men are lost to suicide globally every hour. Or you can raise funds your own way by hosting events or anything else you can think of. Make a ‘Growmitment’ to donate or raise funds on the Movember website: https://uk.movember.com/support-us, where there is also lots of information about the appeal, the ways your money is spent, and what else you can do to champion men’s health.

If you are concerned about your own health, or the health of a man you know, the Movember website also has lots of helpful information on men’s mental health, testicular and prostate cancer, and general men’s health and issues. You can also find out more about these issues by visiting, https://mentalhealth-uk.org/mens-mental-health/, https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/mens-cancer, and https://andysmanclub.co.uk.

Although it’s not the first cancer that springs to mind, 10,825 people in the UK were diagnosed with Mouth Cancer last year, and 3637 people in the UK lost their lives to it.

• Mouth Cancer is twice as common in men than in women
• 78% of cases occur in the over 55 age group
• The ten-year survival rate is between 18% and 57%, depending on where the cancer strikes and how early it is diagnosed
• Cases have risen 49% over the past 10 years
• Up to 25% of mouth cancer cases have no associated significant risk factors
• More people in the UK die each year of mouth cancer than of cervical and testicular cancer combined

Many mouth cancers are spotted during a trip to the dentist, so it is vitally important that we all have regular check ups to help spot it early. However, we are all encouraged to do a self check for mouth cancer at least once a month. The Mouth Cancer Foundation has an illustrated guide to checking your mouth here: https://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org/self-examination/

Lung Cancer Awareness Month aims to encourage people who notice the common symptoms of lung cancer to visit their GP. Recognising the symptoms and seeing a doctor quickly saves lives. Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, but it is the leading cause of cancer-related death, according to Cancer Research UK:

• Around 48,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year in the UK
• Lung cancer accounts for over 35,000 deaths annually

The most common symptoms include:

• A persistent cough that worsens or doesn’t go away
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain that gets worse with breathing or coughing
• Coughing up blood or rust-coloured phlegm
• Wheezing
• Hoarseness
• Fatigue and weight loss

Smoking, including passive smoking, is the primary cause of lung cancer, but genetics, and exposure to asbestos, mild steel welding fumes, silica and environmental pollution such as traffic fumes can also play a part. It is important that we all do what we can to prevent lung cancer, and to ensure early detection, especially if we know we are at high risk:

• Quit smoking: this is the most important step in preventing lung cancer
• Avoid exposure to carcinogens like diesel fumes and other aerosols
• Get regular checkups if you know you are high risk
• If you have any of the symptoms, visit your GP to get checked

You can find out more about lung cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment at https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer.

More information, and ideas and resources for how you can help spread awareness and raise funds for cancer research and support this Lung Cancer Awareness Month can be found at https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/lung-cancer-awareness-month.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most under-researched cancers at the moment, which means that 7 in 10 people with pancreatic cancer are currently told there is no treatment available for them, and half of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer die within three months.

The pancreas is a gland behind your stomach that makes enzymes and hormones, including insulin. Pancreatic cancer can affect how well the pancreas works, and is fatal if left untreated.
Symptoms include:

• Indigestion
• Stomach and/or back pain
• Changes to poo, including diarrhoea, constipation or pale, oily, smelly poo that’s hard to flush (steatorrhoea)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Jaundice, which causes yellow skin and eyes, dark wee, pale poo and itchy skin
• Losing your appetite
• Recently diagnosed diabetes
• Problems digesting your food: bloating, lots of wind, burping, and feeling full quickly
• Feeling or being sick
• Blood clots in a vein (deep vein thrombosis or DVT)
• Feeling very tired all the time, even if you rest

None of these symptoms mean you definitely have pancreatic cancer, and, not everyone will display all these symptoms. You can find out more about Pancreatic Cancer, the symptoms, and how to get support at https://www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk...eness-month-pcam/world-pancreatic-cancer-day/

The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the easier it usually is to treat. If you have jaundice, go to A&E straight away. If you have any of the other symptoms and you don’t know why you have them, go to your GP or contact NHS 111.

This week aims to help increase understanding about transgender people and the issues members of the community face.

Trans Awareness Week takes place in the week leading up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, an annual observance honouring the memory of the transgender people whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence during the year.

Transgender Awareness Week is a time for educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.

You can find trusted information and personal stories about trans people and trans issues, download social media resources, donate, and discover how you can take part as a trans person or ally at https://www.glaad.org/transweek.

Odd Socks Day marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week, and is delivered by the Anti-Bullying Alliance in partnership with CBeebies and CBBC star Andy Day and his band, Andy and the Odd Socks.

Bullying can ruin lives, but Odd Socks Day is designed to be fun! It’s an opportunity to encourage people to express themselves and celebrate their individuality and what makes us all unique! And it isn't just for schools and children. Anyone can take part at home, in school, in the community or at work. All you have to do to take part is wear odd socks to help raise awareness of bullying. Participants are invited to make a £1 donation, or whatever you think appropriate, to support the Anti-Bullying Alliance in this annual push to raise awareness of bullying and champion individuality!

However, you do not have to raise money to take part, the most important thing is the message of Odd Socks Day. Why not encourage other schools, businesses, or people in your local area to get involved!

You can see photos of previous Odd Socks Days, discover more about the Anti-Bullying Alliance, and get resources to help you run your own Odd Socks Day event at https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week-2026/odd-socks-day.

The official organisers of Anti-Bullying Week are the Anti-Bullying Alliance, a group of organisations that are committed to fighting against bullying. They define bullying as:

“The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.”

The theme of Anti-Bullying Week 2026 is ‘Break the Silence’. It will encourage children, young people and adults across the UK to start conversations about bullying, speak up, listen and take action together. The theme was shaped directly by the voices of more than 200 children and young people, many of whom spoke about the silence that can surround bullying and the barriers young people face in asking for help.

Anti-Bullying Week has become one of the largest children’s wellbeing campaigns in the UK, reaching an estimated 8 million children and young people and over 80% of schools each year. The week kicks off with Odd Socks Day, when adults and children are encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.

There are lots of free resources to help schools and workplaces, parents and carers to get involved, including downloadable social media toolkits, merchandise, events and award nominations on the ABA website, https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week-2026/anti-bullying-week-2026, where you can also find advice and support if you or someone you know is being bullied, or is a bully themselves.

National Self-Care Week is an annual awareness week that focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities, families and generations.

The Self-Care Week theme for 2026 is ‘Mind & Body’, encouraging us all to take responsibility for our own mental and physical health as much as we are able to. They are also using this week to highlight healthy eating as one of the pillars of self care.

During this week we are all invited to share information about how we can look after ourselves a little more. You could share information to promote self-care ideas such as:

• Taking vitamin D supplements, particularly important for those who are unable to go outside
• Good nutrition and regular exercise to support general wellbeing and help maximise immunity
• Adopting positive lifestyle choices
• Supporting mental wellness
• Managing common ailments and long term health conditions
• Signposting to NHS services such as pharmacy to get the right help when you need it
• The benefits of vaccinations and screening.

You can see the Self Care Forum’s Self-Care Continuum, and find more information and resources to help you share information and spread awareness online at https://www.selfcareforum.org/events/self-care-week/#:~:text=18 - 24 November 2024.

If you’re caring for someone at risk of going missing, you might want to have a look at the Herbert Protocol. Named after a war veteran called George Herbert, the Herbert Protocol helps you to establish information about someone who’s at risk before they go missing.

In the event that they later do go missing, you’re able to quickly share the information with the police force.

We’ve linked some national information below, but you’ll be able to find the information for your local police force and their forms by carrying out an internet search. The police will ask additional questions about what happened if/when the individual goes missing, but having the protocol ready helps you to think about important information beforehand when you’re not in a moment of intense stress.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-s...gether-magazine/scheme-support-missing-people

The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ has being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across England. 

People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. 

Venues that support ‘Ask for Angela’ have been given Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training. Delivered by the Met’s licensing officers and Safer Sounds partnership, it gives staff the ability to help customers who may be in a situation that makes them vulnerable or unsafe.

For more information about the scheme, visit: https://askforangela.co.uk/

Aged 17 to 65?

Generally fit and well?

Weigh more than 7st 12lbs (50kg) and less than 25st (158kg)?

You could help by donating blood as stocks are critically low.

Giving blood

You can give blood at thousands of donation venues across England, from permanent donor centres to pop-up community venues.

More about giving blood

Giving plasma

You can give plasma (part of your blood that can make life-saving medicines) at 3 donation venues in England:

• Birmingham
• Reading
• Twickenham

More about giving plasma

Information: 

Note that you can't donate blood and plasma at the same appointment.

If you have a baby under six months of age, it can be really difficult to know whether you need to make a medical appointment, or whether you can safely look after your baby at home.

The Lullaby Trust have built an app to help parents of young babies to know the difference:
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/baby-check-app/

But don't forget we are here for you if you have any doubts, worries or concerns. 

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Babies are usually ready to start trying their first solid foods when they reach six months of age.

Giving your baby a wide variety of normal family foods can encourage habits for life, but we do need to make sure we’re careful as some foods such as salt and honey aren’t suitable for very young children.
https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/weaning/how-to-start-weaning-your-baby/