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:

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Monday, 16 March  to Friday, 20 March 2026

Alongside Neurodiversity Celebration Week, the Autism, ADHD & Neurodivergence Support pages on  Gloucestershire's Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND are being updated.  

In addition Dr. Victoria Thurston, the Clinical Lead for the Children's Autism and ADHD Assessment Service (CAAAS) provides an update on the waiting times for Autism and ADHD assessment for children and the support available to families in a new article this month. 

World Down Syndrome Day

Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service (EPS) is recognising World Down Syndrome Day by promoting inclusive approaches that support children with Down Syndrome as they transition to community settings.  This references with the Government consultation and new Down Syndrome Act 2022, and also Gloucestershire County Council's own contribution towards the School Inclusion Project.

Evidence highlights that early, thoughtful planning helps nurture confidence, belonging, and positive relationships, enabling children to thrive as they begin their education journey.

The EPS campaign, alongside World Down Syndrome Day #TogetherAgainstLoneliness emphasises inclusive education experiences in community and mainstream settings and provides guidance for professionals and Parent Carers as based upon the research.

For more information, please visit the Educational Psychology Service on Gloucestershire’s Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND.

To access more information on World Down Syndrome Day, please visit the Educational Psychology Service pages on World Down Syndrome Day.

Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness

Thursday, 26 March 2026

Purple Day is an internationally recognised epilepsy awareness day on 26 March every year to raise awareness for people with epilepsy and help them see that they are not alone.

Purple  was picked to represent the day as lavender is internationally recognised as the flower for epilepsy.

Children and young people in Gloucestershire with epilepsy and their families - who access services through:

 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

World Autism Acceptance Month

April 2026

In preparation for World Autism Acceptance Month, the EPS team has created a resource to support children and young people at home and school with masking.

Understanding is growing around masking, where an autistic child or young person may seem calm and regulated at school, but at home they may behave differently.  This could include displaying behaviours they have been suppressing such as exhaustion, frustration or distress.  

For more information, please visit the Educational Psychology Service on Gloucestershire’s Local Offer, Support for Families with SEND.

To access the resource on Masking, please visit the Educational Psychology Service pages on World Autism Acceptance Month.

National Siblings Day

Friday, 10 April 2026

In readiness for next month's National Siblings Day, Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service is promoting ways to support children who have siblings experiencing complex or life-limiting conditions. Here, Dr. Melissa Parry sets out the resources the service has prepared.

Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service wishes to recognise that siblings of children with complex medical needs or life‑limiting conditions often navigate a unique and emotionally-challenging landscape, which can influence their wellbeing, identity and family relationships. Recognising these potential implications is vital in promoting their resilience, understanding and acceptance.

When professionals acknowledge the sibling’s experiences, they create opportunities for open communication and validation, to be able to provide any support they may need. By fostering awareness and providing appropriate guidance, educational settings can help ensure these young people feel seen, understood and included, strengthening both their emotional wellbeing and their capacity to thrive alongside their sibling’s care journey.

Research indicates that school staff can support siblings of children with complex medical or life‑limiting conditions by creating trusted opportunities for them to share their feelings, support their sense of belonging, and maintaining predictable routines, and showing consistent interest in their wellbeing - actions shown to reduce anxiety, promote resilience, and help these young people feel understood and valued.

Gloucestershire Educational Psychology Service has created an evidence-based poster for the school staff room, and a short presentation for school staff to use with Key Stage 2 pupils to explore an inclusive and supportive classroom environment for all pupils. It is helpful to know that many diagnosis specific charities have sections on their websites designed for siblings, as well as for professionals who want to find out more about these.

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 National Siblings Day and much more.