Coming Up: What’s on in October

From a call to be kind to animals and a celebration of walking to a petition to help swifts in Wales, we look at the month's noteworthy campaigns and dates for your diary.

What’s on – October 2024

National Vegetarian Week (October 1-7)
“Helping the environment can feel overwhelming, but each of us can make a difference, and it’s easy to do. By reducing or cutting out meat, we can lower our carbon footprint, helping the planet and all its occupants. That’s why I am supporting National Vegetarian Week”, says TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham. You can sign up on the Vegetarian Society website for a free digital booklet of vegetarian and vegan recipes.

Chetna Makan's chickpea and yogurt curry recipe

Featured recipe: Chickpea Yogurt Curry from Chetna Makan’s new book, Easy Indian Vegetarian

Walk to School Month
October is International Walk to School Month, organised in the UK by walking charity Living Streets. This year, the theme is ‘Autumn Street Safari’. You can download an activity sheet with interesting things to see and do as you walk, wheel or scoot to school.

Living Streets: Walk to School Month

World Animal Day (October 4)
World Animal Day aims to raise the status of animals to improve welfare standards around the globe. This year’s theme is ‘The World is Their Home Too’.

World Mental Health Day (October 10)
“A day for coming together, starting important conversations about mental health and challenging stigma”, says the Mental Health Foundation. The charity suggests many ways to get involved, including planning a Tea and Talk event. This year’s theme is workplace mental health. It highlights the importance of addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace to benefit people, organisations and communities.

National Day of Action (October 12)
The Climate Coalition is calling for people to organise meetings with their MPs, asking them to prioritise climate and nature. You can find resources to help you plan your meeting on the coalition’s United for People, Climate and Nature Hub.

Petition to Protect Swifts
Swift numbers in Wales have fallen by 72% over the last 30 years. Wildlife Trusts Wales is asking for new laws to ensure ‘swift bricks’ are built into all new developments in Wales. You can sign this petition to help these remarkable birds no matter where you live.