Awareness events

Awareness events are organised activities or campaigns designed to increase public understanding and knowledge about a specific issue, cause, or community. They aim to inform, educate, and hopefully inspire action or support.  There is usually an intention to reduce stigma, empower and equip children, young people, families, schools, and communities by providing accessible resources and encouraging meaningful engagement on the subject of the event. Awareness events taking place during this month and early next include:

Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month

May 2026

Dravet syndrome is an epilepsy condition that begins in infancy or early childhood. The condition belongs to a group of severe epilepsies—called developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE)—that are characterized by often drug-resistant seizures and significant developmental delays. 

This year’s month is Every Day in May.

For more information on support for children and young people in Gloucestershire – with Dravet syndrome and other epilepsy conditions, please visit Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND, specifically:

 0-16 -  Glosfamilies Directory | NHS Gloucestershire Epilepsy Specialist Nurse

Post-16 - Epilepsy team 

Can join support groups, like the one for young people in the region, which meets in Bristol.

Seek advice from Epilepsy Action and the Epilepsy Society and Dravet Syndrome UK.

Deaf Awareness Week

Deaf Awareness Week has chosen the Right to understand – Together, we break barriers as a theme for this year's awareness week.

For more information on support for deaf children and young people in Gloucestershire - through Gloucestershire's Community Connector for the National Deaf Children's Society  and Gloucestershire Deaf Association, please visit Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND

Mental Health Awareness Week

The Mental Health Foundation has chosen Action as this year's theme because, while awareness is vital, real change comes when action is taken.

For more information on Mental Health services in Gloucestershire and local support for Parent Carers, please visit Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

June 2026

Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service (STEPS) is providing a focus on how to support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children and young people

STEPS wishes to support school staff to reflect on how they support Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children and young people in their school. To this end, the service has created a poster to mark the GRT History Month in June 2026.

The poster highlights the importance of representation, belonging and inclusion in school communities. It emphases the importance of the staff recognising and celebrating the diverse backgrounds, strengths and experiences that GRT pupils bring, reinforcing the message that feeling valued and understood is central to wellbeing and engagement in learning.

Research related to supporting GRT children and young people indicates that building trusting relationships, partnering positively with families, and creating predictable, welcoming environments are supportive approaches when working with these children and young people. By reflecting on our own perspectives and adopting transparent communication, clear routines and a strengths‑based ethos, the poster supports schools to foster inclusive practice and stronger connections with GRT pupils and their families.

For more information on the Specialist Teaching and Educational Psychology Service (STEPS), please visit Gloucestershire’s Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND. This page links to the Specialist Teaching and Educational Psychology Service (STEPS) website, with information for families, schools and settings on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month 2026 and much more. 

Tourettes Awareness Day

Sunday, 7 June 2026

Move for Tourettes 2026 - Friday, 15 May to Monday, 15 June 2026

In addition to the awareness day, Tourettes Action is holding a month-long event called ‘Move for Tourettes’ this year.

There are many peer support groups across Gloucestershire for young people with neurodevelopmental conditions, like Tourettes.

For information on regular peer support groups across Gloucestershire, please visit the ND Hub on Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND.

Carers Week 2026: Building Carer-friendly communities

Monday, 8 to Sunday, 14 June 2026

Carers Week 2026 focuses on building Carer-friendly communities, recognising the vital role of unpaid Carers and encouraging inclusive support across local services. Gloucestershire Carers Hub invites Carers to relaxed Carers' Cuppa & Cake in the Community picnics throughout the week, offering connection, conversation and a well‑earned break.

Gloucestershire Carers Hub detail that it is vital it is for unpaid Carers to feel recognised, valued, and supported. Across the UK, 5.8 million unpaid Carers provide essential care to family and friends, contributing an estimated £184 billion to the economy each year. Yet more than half report feeling overwhelmed by the pressures they face, often navigating caring responsibilities alone.

Carers Week 2026 encourages workplaces, GP practices, community groups, schools, local services and businesses to play their part in identifying Carers early and ensuring they are heard, included, and supported. Led by Carers UK and partner charities and supported this year by headline sponsor TSB the campaign invites communities to raise awareness, share good practice and create more inclusive spaces where Carers can thrive.

Join us for our Carers' Cuppa & Cake in the Community events

In keeping with this year’s theme, Gloucestershire Carers Hub is hosting Carers' Cuppa & Cake in the Community gatherings throughout Carers Week. These relaxed outdoor meet ups are an opportunity for Carers to take a breath, enjoy a friendly chat, and connect with others who understand the day‑to‑day reality of caring.

Simply bring:

• Your favourite cuppa.
• A picnic of your choice, big or small.
• Yourself.
• Something to sit on.
• And Gloucestershire Carers Hub will provide the cake.

Whether you can spare ten minutes or stay for the whole session, you will be warmly welcomed by the Hub. These moments of connection can make a world of difference, helping Carers build supportive networks while enjoying well deserved time for themselves.

Event dates and locations

Friday, 5 June 2026
⏰ 12.00pm –2.00pm
📍 Queen Victoria Gardens, Moreton-in-Marsh

Monday, 8 June 2026
⏰ 11.00am – 1.00pm
📍 Pitville Park, Cheltenham

Tuesday, 9 June 2026
⏰ 12.00pm – 2.00pm
📍 Wenchford, Blakeney, Forest of Dean

Wednesday, 10 June 2026
⏰ 12.00pm – 2.00pm
📍 Stratford Park, Stroud

Thursday, 11 June 2026
⏰ 2.00pm – 4.00pm
📍 Plock Court, Gloucester

Friday, 12 June 2026
⏰ 12.00pm – 2.00pm
📍 Garner Lane, Tewkesbury

Monday, 15 June 2026
⏰ 11.30am – 1.30pm
📍 Abbey Grounds Park, Cirencester

Booking information

To join any of our Carers Week events, please contact:
📞 0300 111 9000
📧 bookings@peopleplus.co.uk

Gloucestershire Carers Hub wants to celebrate Carers Week together one cuppa, one conversation, and one connection at a time. 🍰🌼

AND

Find the Hub at the Big Health Day – Thursday, 11 June 2026

Gloucestershire Carers Hub will also be attending the Big Health Day on Thursday, 11 June 2026 along with many other services and voluntary and community sector partners, who supporting children and young people with SEND and their Parent Carers.

This wonderful community event is a great opportunity for families, Carers and professionals to explore local health and wellbeing support, make connections, and discover resources available across Gloucestershire.

For more information on support for Carers in Gloucestershire, please visit pages dedicated to Gloucestershire Carers Hub and Parent Carer support on Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND.

LOOKING AHEAD: Learning Disability Week and Deafblind Awareness Week

More information to follow in the next edition of Families in Partnership newsletter, published on 4 June.

Learning Disability Week  - Monday, 15 to Sunday, 21 June 2026

The theme for the week this year is ‘Do you see me?’

For more information on learning disabilities, please visit the Disabled Children’s Team page and our revised pages on the differences between learning difficulties and learning disabilities on Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND.

The Learning Disability Hospital Liaison Nurses are highly trained and experienced learning disability nurses, who work across the acute hospitals: Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital and their information can be accessed here.

and

Deafblind Awareness Week - Wednesday, 24 to Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Deafblind UK and SENSE have information on this week.

For more information, please visit the relevant pages including multisensory impairment on Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND.

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