An allergy is the body’s immune system reacting to normally harmless substances.

Up to 21 million people in the UK are estimated to be living with an allergy, and between five and eight per cent of children in the UK are believed to have a food allergy.

Allergies can range from mild hay fever to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

For more information, visit:

https://www.allergyuk.org/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/allergies/ 

Each year in the UK, 2,400 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer is most likely to occur between the ages of 25 and 40.

Symptoms of testicular cancer include a lump or swelling in a testicle, and pain, heaviness or a dull ache in the scrotum.

for more information, visit:
https://www.testicularcanceruk.com/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/ 

This April, during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we’re being encouraged to ‘Pass It On’. Pass It On is an awareness campaign aimed at getting bowel cancer sufferers to share their own stories to raise awareness.
If:
You have blood in your poo
You’re bleeding from your bottom
There are changes in how often you poo, or you’re regularly having constipation or diarrhoea
You’re losing weight or feel tired all the time but aren’t sure why
You have a pain or lump in your tummy

…these can be signs of bowel cancer or other health conditions. 

For more information, visit:
https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/symptoms/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/ 

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/support-us/bowel-cancer-awareness-month/

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common disorder of the digestive system.

On average, more women are affected than men.

It’s thought that IBS may be caused by the brain and the digestive system communicating too much.

Symptoms of IBS include constipation, diarrhoea, pain, bloating, wind, pooing mucous, tiredness, feeling sick, backache and bladder symptoms.

for more information, visit:
https://gutscharity.org.uk/awareness/ibs-awareness-month/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/ 

April is World Autism Acceptance Month.

Autistic people face challenges and discrimination in their everyday lives.

 Autistic people may find some aspects of social communication and interaction difficult, they may have repeated or restrictive behaviours including a deep interest in some subjects, and they may also find they’re either over or under-sensitive to some sensory inputs like touch, feel or sound.

We can help by allowing time for supportive communication, using clear and concise language, and being aware that each individual, whether autistic or not, will have preferred styles of communication.

https://waam.autism.org.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/ 

Aged 17 to 65?

Generally fit and well?

Weigh more than 7st 12lbs (50kg) and less than 25st (158kg)?

You could help by donating blood as stocks are critically low.

If you’re able to donate, see if you can find an appointment here:

https://www.blood.co.uk/

https://www.blood.co.uk/who-can-give-blood/

The focus of Stress Awareness Month is ‘Lead with Love’.

The central idea of this focus is that we’re ensuring that we approach others with kindness, compassion and from a place of support.

This helps to reduce stress in others.

It’s also important to make sure we meet ourselves with kindness, care and compassion.

https://www.stress.org.uk/stress-awareness-month-2025/
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/tips-to-reduce-stress/

If you’re caring for someone at risk of going missing, you might want to have a look at the Herbert Protocol. Named after a war veteran called George Herbert, the Herbert Protocol helps you to establish information about someone who’s at risk before they go missing.

In the event that they later do go missing, you’re able to quickly share the information with the police force.

We’ve linked some national information below, but you’ll be able to find the information for your local police force and their forms by carrying out an internet search. The police will ask additional questions about what happened if/when the individual goes missing, but having the protocol ready helps you to think about important information beforehand when you’re not in a moment of intense stress.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-s...gether-magazine/scheme-support-missing-people

The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across England.

People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. 

Venues that support ‘Ask for Angela’ have been given Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training. Delivered by the Met’s licensing officers and Safer Sounds partnership, it gives staff the ability to help customers who may be in a situation that makes them vulnerable or unsafe.

For more information about the scheme, visit: https://askforangela.co.uk/