Employee wellbeing calendar
2026
Championing health and wellbeing through awareness and action.
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Quarter 4
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 1
January
February
March
1st-31st
Veganuary encourages people worldwide to try vegan for January and beyond. Since 2014, millions of people have taken part in the one-month vegan pledge, helping to create positive change for personal health, animal welfare, and the planet. In 2025 alone, more than 1,480 new vegan products and menu options were launched globally for Veganuary.
Veganuary
Use this calendar as part of your wellbeing strategy, click the headers below to find out more.
Encourages people worldwide to take a month off alcohol and reflect on their drinking habits. In the UK alone, 15.5 million adults planned to go alcohol-free in January 2025[1]. Taking a break from alcohol can have significant wellbeing benefits, including better sleep, improved mood, increased energy and focus, and support for long-term physical and mental health.
Dry January
1st-31st
[1] Mind, body, bank balance – why over a quarter of Brits are planning a booze-free January
The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as Blue Monday, or the most difficult day in the year. The Samaritans are on a mission to change the perception of this day and instead of focusing on reasons to feel blue, to encourage people to connect over a brew.
Brew Monday
19th
Supporting children’s mental health is a priority for every parent and carer. This week focuses on helping them do just that by providing guidance, resources, and practical ways to access support.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Week
9th-15th
This month aims at raising awareness of the risk factors and helping people to reduce them by making small lifestyle changes.
National Heart Month
1st-28th
Celebrating progress in its many forms that enable more people to seek and receive the care they need and deserve. Read more in our men’s and women’s guide.
World Cancer Day
4th
Time to Talk Day is described as the nation’s biggest conversation. Check out our top 10 tips for improving mental health in the workplace.
Time to Talk Day
5th
Being kind doesn’t have to cost anything, a gesture of kindness can seem insignificant to you, but make someone else’s day.
Random Acts of Kindness Week
15th-20th
A worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week
16th-22nd
Supported by StepChange this week addresses the fact that debt can happen to anyone. Read our Reba article on how firms can turn financial education into employee action.
Debt Awareness Week
24th-30th
Sleep is a behaviour that is foundational to one’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing. World Sleep Day is an opportunity to promote sleep health. Read our article to find out how you can support your employees.
World Sleep Day
13th
Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity. Find out how you can support women’s health in the workplace with our women’s health guide.
International Women's Day
8th
April
May
June
This week aims to enhance public understanding and attention on infertility whilst educating those building a family around this complex journey. Discover more in our men’s and women’s health guide.
National Infertility Awareness Week
19th-25th
World Health Day, held on 7 April to mark the founding of the World Health Organization, highlights global health challenges and inspires action for a fairer, healthier world. Each year focuses on a theme - from universal healthcare to mental wellbeing. In support, we explore how employers can take a more proactive approach to prevention in our Reba article.
World Health Day
7th
This key event in the wellbeing calendar raises awareness of stress and the impact that this can have on an individual. It also focuses on preventing and managing stress. Read our guide on how to manage stress and employee burnout.
Stress Awareness Month
1st-30th
Read the article
Read Men's Guide
An annual celebration that honours the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations.
World Earth Day
22nd
Read our guide
Read our article
Each year, the Mental Health Foundation uses this week to spotlight a new theme and spark conversations about mental wellbeing at work and beyond. Read our latest article on how line managers can lead the way in creating supportive, mentally healthy workplaces.
Mental Health Awareness Week
11th-17th
Men’s health week looks to focus on men’s health and raising awareness of important issues. Read more on the health issues men face in our men’s health guide.
Men's Health Week
9th-15th
Read our guide
A day to unite with people around the world and take action to protect and preserve the environment for present and future generations.
World Environment Day
5th
This important week in the calendar highlights the benefits of volunteering and encourages everyone to join in. It is also a way to celebrate the wonderful work that volunteers do every day.
Volunteers Week
1st-7th
July
August
September
Run by Alcohol Change UK, this themed awareness week encourages individuals to think about their drinking and to raise awareness and fundraising for the charity.
Alcohol Awareness Week
6th-12th
Read our guide
Every July, the Samaritans run a campaign to raise awareness to show they are here to listen to anyone who is struggling to cope. Read our top tips for improving your employees mental health.
Talk to Us
1st-31st
A day to recognize and acknowledge those that are directly and indirectly affected by overdose.
International Overdose Awareness Day
31st
Wellbeing article
The UK’s biggest cycle commuting event run by Cyclescheme aims to encourage people to start their day with exercise and transform their mental and physical health. Discover how physical wellbeing supports mental health and how health screening can strengthen your strategy in our latest articles.
Cycle to Work Day
6th
This important day, held within Pensions Awareness Week, highlights the vital role pensions play in helping people feel secure about their financial future. To explore more on this theme, you can read the article from our Barnett Waddingham colleagues.
Pension Awareness Day
15th
Read our article
World Suicide Prevention Day raises awareness of the impact of suicide and highlights how employers can support their people through effective prevention and postvention measures.
World Suicide Prevention Day
10th
Read the article
A day to draw people’s attention to heart illness and the range of associated health issues.
World Heart Day
29th
October
November
December
Increase your awareness of mental health and how you can help yourselves or others. Read our top tips for improving your mental health and our article on how line managers can lead the way in creating supportive, mentally healthy workplaces.
World Mental Health Day
10th
Read our guide
Breast Cancer UK encourages everyone to get active this month, to reduce your risks of getting breast cancer by 20%[2]. Read the section on cancer in our guide to supporting women’s health.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
1st-31st
[2] Physical activity and breast cancer
Read our article
Read our guide
A day to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing. Read the section in our guide to women’s health which highlights why understanding menopause in the workplace matters.
World Menopause Day
18th
Read our article
International Stress Awareness Week is a major annual event focusing on stress management and campaigning against the stigma associated with stress and mental health issues. Read our article about the financial stress on mental health and what employers can do to support employees.
International Stress Awareness Week
2nd-6th
This awareness campaign encourages individuals to be more open about money with friends and family. It also highlights the support and advice available.
Talk Money Week
2nd-7th
Read our guide
[3] Movember - Our story
Focused on raising awareness of men’s health, Movember has grown from 30 moustaches in 2003 to over 6 million today worldwide[3]. Read our guide for 10 actions that employers can take to support men’s health in the workplace.
Movember
1st-30th
Carer’s Rights Day is about raising awareness of carers’ rights and entitlements, to help carers get the support they need.
Carer's Rights Day
20th
A day where volunteers are acknowledged and the spirit of volunteerism is promoted at the local, national, and international levels.
International Volunteers Day
5th
It is important to understand that not all disabilities are visible. This day is centred around raising awareness and protecting the wellbeing of those with disabilities.
International Day of Persons with Disability
3rd
Supported by the Good Grief Trust with the aim of normalising grief and getting people talking. It also tries to raise awareness of the support available to individuals living with grief.
National Grief Awareness Week
2nd-8th
We hope this calendar helps you spark ideas and take action to make 2026 a year of wellbeing for everyone in your organisation.
Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing Limited is part of the Howden Group. Registered in England and Wales under company number 2248238, with its registered office at One Creechurch Place, London EC3A 5AF. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register No. 312841). The Financial Services Register can be accessed through www.fca.org.uk.
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Read Men's Guide
Read our guide
Top 10 tips
Read our article
Read the article
January
January
January
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February
February
February
February
February
March
March
March
April
April
April
April
May
June
June
June
Encourage proactive self-care
Raise awareness around mental health
Support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Recognise and respond to the different needs, backgrounds, and experiences across your workforce.
Highlight available support
Encourage proactive self-care
Raise awareness around mental health
Promote open conversations, reduce stigma, and guide employees to relevant support and resources.
Support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Highlight available support
Encourage proactive self-care
Help employees take small, consistent steps to support their physical, mental, financial, and social wellbeing.
Raise awareness around mental health
Supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Highlight available support
Drive engagement and participation
Align wellbeing with business goals
Drive engagement and participation
Align wellbeing with business goals
Drive engagement and participation
Align wellbeing around business goals
Encourage proactive self-care
Raise awareness around mental health
Highlight available support
Remind employees of the benefits, services, and wellbeing tools already available to them.
Drive engagement and participation
Align wellbeing around business goals
Support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Encourage proactive self-care
Raise awareness around mental health
Support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Drive engagement and participation
Build momentum around wellbeing campaigns, workshops, and events throughout the year.
Highlight available support
Align wellbeing around business goals
Encourage proactive self-care
Raise awareness around mental health
Support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)
Align wellbeing with business goals
Demonstrate how wellbeing supports productivity, retention, and a positive workplace culture.
Highlight available support
Drive engagement and participation
July
July
August
September
September
September
October
October
October
November
November
November
November
December
December
December
Read Women's Guide
August
Read Women's Guide
Screening article
March
March
For a more personalised approach - one that reflects your unique culture, your benefits, and your people - our team can help design a bespoke wellbeing and communications strategy. If you would like support, please contact: employeebenefits@howdengroup.com
We’ll help you make the most of the benefits, value-added services and wellbeing initiatives already available to your employees.
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