May Inclusion calendar

International Firefighters' Day (IFFD) is a time where the world can recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is celebrated on 8 May each year. 

International Nurses Day is an international day observed around the world on 12 May of each year, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth, to mark the contributions that nurses make to society.

The event, established in 1974 by the International Council of Nurses (ICN), also serves to highlight the important role nurses fulfil in health care.

Nightingale became an important figure in nursing in the 1850s during the Crimean War. At that time she was stationed at the Barrack Hospital at Scutari (Üsküdar; now a district of Istanbul), where she headed a group of nurses that cared for injured British soldiers. When she first arrived at the hospital, she was struck by the desperate condition of the facilities, and as a result she imposed strict standards of care and ensured that the wards were kept clean and well stocked with food and medical supplies. Nightingale’s experiences at Scutari led her to campaign for reform in health care and nursing, and in 1860 she opened the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London.

Since 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has been leading Mental Health Awareness Week, bringing together the UK to focus on getting good mental health. Each May, millions of people from every part of society take part.

It takes place in May every year. 

Looking after your mental health is as important as your physical health, and although the path to wellbeing can be challenging, and is different for everyone, there are lots of small steps you can take to make a big difference to your mental health.

The Small Steps, Big Difference campaign highlights the fantastic wellbeing resources and services available to you at London Met, and suggests the small steps you can take to improving your wellbeing and prioritising self-care.

The Tanzanian proverb says ‘Little by little, a little becomes a lot’, London Met says 'Small Steps makes a Big Difference'.

Vesak is one of the most important Buddhist festivals. It is also known as Wesak or Buddha Day. It is a celebration of Buddha's birthday and, for some Buddhists, marks his enlightenment (when he discovered life's meaning). It is also a time to reflect on his teachings and what it means to be Buddhist.

Vesak Day takes place on the full moon, usually in May or early June.

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is observed on May 17 and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide. By 2016, the commemorations had taken place in 132 countries.

Why do we need an International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia?

Lag BaOmer, also Lag B'Omer, is a Jewish religious holiday celebrated on the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer, which occurs on the eighteenth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar.

During Global Accessibility Awareness Day we raise awareness of online accessibility and ensuring that University resources are accessible.

The International Day for Biological Diversity is a United Nations–sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. The International Day for Biological Diversity falls within the scope of the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals.

Birthday of Guru Amar Das is a religious observance for the Sikhism followers. Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Amar Das on 23 May – he was the third of the ten Sikh Gurus. He was a late bloomer and only became Guru in is seventies, but still had a great influence in Sikhism.

Ascension Day is the Thursday forty days after Easter, on which Christ's Ascension is celebrated in the Christian Church.

Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place this year in the week starting at the beginning of May. The event focus is to raise awareness of deafness and hearing loss. It aims to celebrate exceptional individuals, and showcase what you can do to champion inclusivity and be more deaf friendly.

Deaf Awareness Week will take between 5 and 11 May in 2025 and between 6 and 12 May in 2026.