Practice News – June 2026
Staffing updates
Kim has joined us from the Blackpool Community team, she will be seeing patients in their homes and in care homes.
Fiona has joined us as our Patient and Staff relations officer. She will hold responsibility for patient queries, compliments and complaints.
Claire has joined us as our new Cancer Care Coordinator, she will contact patients if they need any signposting and assist with internal follow ups and encouraging screening.
Pride Month, 1st–30th June
Pride Month is a celebration that recognises the LGBTQ+ community, the challenges they face, and their contributions to society. Everyone is asked to stand in solidarity with their fight for equality, acceptance, and human rights. Pride Month is a joyful and colourful display of love, unity, and resilience, with events and activities that promote inclusivity, educate the public, and celebrate the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities.
You can find out more about Pride and its history, and see a full, searchable calendar of global Pride events at: 2026 Global Gay Pride Calendar
SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) Awareness Month, 1st– 30th June
Each year in the UK, over 4,000 babies are stillborn or die within the first four weeks of life.
SANDS was founded in 1978 by bereaved parents who had experienced a lack of support after the loss of a baby, and it has grown into a leading UK charity. It provides vital services, such as a free national helpline, local support groups, and online resources for anyone affected by baby loss. It also advocates for improved maternity care and works closely with healthcare professionals to improve training and support best practices.
SANDS Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for national conversation, remembrance, and action, helping to reduce stigma and promote understanding.
There are lots of ways to get involved:
- Take part in fundraising events such as sponsored activities or community gatherings
- Share stories and resources on social media to help break the silence and spread awareness
- Wear the SANDS Awareness ribbon or other merchandise to show your support
- Attend remembrance services to honour babies who have died and support grieving families
- Donate to SANDS to help fund research, support services, and educational programmes
- Use these hashtags to help share the message on social media: #SANDAwarenessMonth #BabylossAwareness #RememberingOurBabies #SANDSUK #BreakTheSilence #SupportSANDS
Find out more about SANDS and what you can do to support the cause at: Sands | Saving babies’ lives. Supporting bereaved families.
Carers Week, 8th–14th June
A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. Many people feel that caring is very important and rewarding, but it can be difficult, isolating and financially demanding, and often has a huge impact on the carer’s own work and personal life. Caring without the right information and support can be tough.
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support. Carers Week 2026 calls on individuals and organisations to help to build carer-friendly communities.
You can find resources and help to understand more about caring and contribute to a carer-friendly society at: Building Carer Friendly Communities | Carers Week
Learning Disability Week, 15th–21st June
Learning Disability Week is designed to celebrate what people with a learning disability bring to society, and to share what life is like for people with a learning disability. The theme for 2026 is ‘Do you see me?’ and focuses on people with learning disabilities being seen, heard and valued.
Mencap campaigns all year to raise awareness, challenge the barriers that people with learning disabilities face, and champion ways for them to live life to the full. This week is a great time to get involved. You can join Mencap’s ‘One Big Walk’ to raise funds and awareness, share your own story, or talk about the great things people with learning disabilities are doing in your community.
You can find information, videos and resources, and sign up for the walk and other events at: Mencap Charity – Shops and Donation Points | Mencap
