The London Marathon is one of the world’s most famous long-distance races, bringing together elite athletes, wheelchair racers, fun runners, and thousands of charity fundraisers. First held in 1981, it winds its way past some of London’s most iconic landmarks including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, Big Ben, and finishes near Buckingham Palace. It is a wonderful celebration of determination, community spirit, and fundraising, with runners taking part for personal achievement, in

👑 Queen Elizabeth II – 100th Anniversary of Her Birth In 2026, we mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most recognisable and respected figures in modern history. Born on 21 April 1926, she became Queen in 1952 and went on to serve for over 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Throughout her life, she witnessed enormous changes in the world - from wartime Britain to the modern digital age - yet remained a s

Fashion Revolution Day (April 24) is a global awareness day that encourages people to think more carefully about where their clothes come from, who made them, and the impact fashion has on people and the planet. It was created in response to the Rana Plaza disaster, when a factory building in Bangladesh collapsed in 2013, highlighting unsafe working conditions in the fashion industry. The day promotes the message “Who made my clothes?” - inviting us to value the people behind

🇬🇧 Celebrating England on St George’s Day St George’s Day, celebrated on April 23rd, is a time to recognise and enjoy the rich history, traditions, and culture of England. It is named after St George, the country’s patron saint, who is best remembered in legend for his bravery and the famous story of defeating a dragon. This special day offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what makes England unique - from its beautiful countryside and historic landmarks to its tradi

Earth Day – April 22 is a global event dedicated to protecting our planet and appreciating the natural world around us. First celebrated in 1970, it encourages people to think about how we care for the Earth - our air, water, wildlife, and green spaces. For a CST session, Earth Day offers a lovely opportunity to spark memories and conversation: gardens we’ve tended, places we’ve visited, favourite seasons, or simple pleasures like birdsong, sunshine, and fresh air. Today’s C

National Tea Day is celebrated on April 21 here in the UK—a lovely excuse to pause, put the kettle on, and enjoy one of the nation’s most treasured traditions. Tea has long been a symbol of comfort, conversation, and connection, making it a perfect theme for a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) session. Sharing a cup of tea can spark memories of family routines, social gatherings, tea dances, holidays, and everyday moments that feel warm and familiar. For today’s CST Song

⚓️ 'Titanic Day' Titanic Day was this week, on April 15, hence today’s CST activity is inspired by the story of the RMS Titanic and its place in history. This provides a powerful opportunity to explore memories, spark discussion, and connect with a well-known event that many people will recognise. The CST activity is slightly off date, but not exactly, as an important Titanic auction was held yesterday (April 18, 2026). Through a mix of quiz questions, images, music, and con

🚲 Bicycle Day – April 19 Bicycle Day is a lovely opportunity to celebrate one of the simplest and most joyful inventions - the bicycle. For many people, bikes bring back powerful memories of childhood freedom, learning to ride without stabilisers, family outings, or cycling to school and work. It’s a great theme for Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) because it naturally sparks reminiscence, conversation, and storytelling. You might invite group members to share: Their fir

🌍 World Heritage Day – April 18 World Heritage Day celebrates the world’s most important cultural and natural places - sites that are protected so future generations can enjoy them. From ancient wonders like the pyramids to famous landmarks like the Houses of Parliament in London, these places help tell the story of our shared history. Today is a chance to explore the world together, spark memories of places we’ve visited, and discover new destinations through conversation,

Nothing Like A Dame Day – April 17 “Nothing Like A Dame Day” is a fun, light-hearted celebration inspired by the famous song from South Pacific. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate remarkable women - whether that’s famous “Dames” of stage and screen, or the important women in our own lives such as mums, sisters, friends, and colleagues. For a CST session, it’s a brilliant theme for reminiscence and conversation. You can explore: Famous British Dames (film, theatre, music) M

✋ National High Five Day (Third Thursday in April) National High Five Day is a fun and uplifting celebration of connection, positivity, and shared moments. A simple high five can express encouragement, congratulations, or friendship without needing words. For people living with dementia, gestures like this can be especially meaningful - offering a sense of belonging, warmth, and human connection. Brits are often seen as a bit more reserved, so they may be less inclined to hi

🎨 World Art Day World Art Day (April 15th) is a celebration of creativity, imagination, and the power of art to connect us all. Art has the unique ability to unlock memories, spark conversation, and evoke deep emotions - making it a perfect theme for Cognitive Stimulation Therapy sessions. From famous masterpieces to personal favourites, art invites us to look, reflect, and share. Whether it’s a painting we remember from school, a picture that makes us smile, or something t

🌱 National Gardening Day – April 14 National Gardening Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the simple pleasures of spending time outdoors, nurturing plants, and connecting with nature. Gardening can spark powerful memories - from tending a family garden, growing vegetables, or simply enjoying the scent of fresh cut grass or flowers. For people living with dementia, gardening themes are especially meaningful. They encourage reminiscence, stimulate the senses, and pro

🌱 International Plant Appreciation Day – April 13 🌱 International Plant Appreciation Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the beauty, importance, and benefits of plants in our everyday lives. From the flowers in our gardens to the trees in our parks and the herbs in our kitchens, plants play a vital role in supporting life, improving our environment, and boosting our wellbeing. For people living with dementia, plants can be especially powerful. They stimulate the se

International Day of Human Space Flight (April 12) marks one of the greatest milestones in human history - the moment humanity first left Earth and ventured into space. On April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history aboard the spacecraft Vostok 1, becoming the first human to travel into space and orbit the Earth. His 108-minute journey proved that humans could survive and function beyond our planet - opening the door to all future space exploration. Since that

🐾 National Pet Day – April 11 National Pet Day is a chance to celebrate the joy, comfort, and companionship that animals bring into our lives. Pets often become part of the family, offering unconditional love and creating lasting memories - from walks in the park to quiet moments at home. For people living with dementia, pets (past or present) can be powerful memory triggers, helping to spark conversations, recall routines, and evoke feelings of happiness, responsibility, a

Day of Silence – April 10 Day of Silence is observed each year to raise awareness of the impact of silence, exclusion, and not being heard. It encourages people to reflect on how communication - and the lack of it - affects wellbeing. While the day has serious origins, in opposing anti-LGBT bullying in schools, the theme of silence and listening can be used in a gentle and positive way within Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST). Link to CST Practice In CST, communication an

Isambard Kingdom Brunel Day, April 9 Isambard Kingdom Brunel Day celebrates one of Britain’s greatest engineers, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, whose ideas helped shape the modern world. Born on this day in 1806 (120 years ago), Brunel designed some of the most famous structures in the UK, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Great Western Railway, and the pioneering steamship SS Great Britain. His work made travel faster, easier, and more exciting during the Victorian age

🌍 National All Is Ours Day – April 8 National All Is Ours Day is a gentle reminder to pause and appreciate the world around us - the people we love, the places we’ve been, and the simple everyday moments that bring meaning to life. It encourages a sense of gratitude, connection, and shared experience - all of which are central to wellbeing. For people living with dementia, this day offers a lovely opportunity to reflect on positive memories, favourite places, and what makes

🌍 World Health Day – April 7 World Health Day is celebrated each year on April 7 to mark the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. It highlights the importance of good physical and mental health for everyone, everywhere. It’s a great opportunity to reflect on what helps us stay well - from healthy eating and exercise to social connection, music, and positive thinking. Discussion prompts: What does “good health” mean to you? What helps you feel your best each day