Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Calendar 2025

Monthly News - January 2025

Focus on Dry January

The start of a new year can inevitably bring with it motivation to make positive changes for the year ahead. The concept of Dry January is to spend the first month of the year alcohol-free to boost mental and physical wellbeing and save money.

For many this will be the start of a lifestyle change, whether that leads to an alcohol-free life or reducing consumption. The charity behind Dry January, ‘Alcohol Change UK’, found 86% of participants report saving money, with 70% reporting better sleep.

Whilst many participants of Dry January have a manageable relationship with alcohol, the month also aims to raise awareness of the harm drinking can cause. Alcohol can be linked to long-term mental health, physical health, and financial issues and have a wider impact on communities. By taking part in Dry January and fund-raising during the month, participants can help the charity continue to provide advice, conduct research, campaign for policies, resource awareness-raising activities and delivery training.

What this month means to me

Dry January is an important time for me, as it is often when many people I know join me on a sobriety journey. I’ve practiced sobriety on-and-off since late 2022, when I set myself a challenge to stay sober for December and January, which I completed, and since then I have completed further 6 month stints of complete sobriety, while also working on my ability to drink in moderation when not sober.

This decision came following some personal reflection about my alcohol consumption, triggered by worsening hangovers, anxiety, and seasonal affective disorder, financial pressures, mild physical health concerns, and general worry about a lack of control when drinking. I didn’t feel I had a ‘problem’, and not all these issues directly stemmed from my drinking habits, but at the same time things were starting to mount up that could be eased by taking a break.

While my sobriety journey did not start with Dry January, I do think it is a nudge to many people to explore their relationship with alcohol more deeply. I could probably write an essay about the positive effects of my sobriety, but instead I would like to dispel one of the most common comments I’ve heard on nights out and at social events since going sober – “You’re so brave, I could never do that!”. While everyone’s experience is different, I really believe that anyone can go sober with the right support, and I’ve personally found that my experience of social events, clubbing, and meeting new people has improved greatly since I stopped relying on alcohol. I am always happy to talk about my experience with anyone who is considering Dry January, sobriety, or even moderation in general, so please do reach out!

Beren, Staff Wellbeing and Engagement Partner

Monthly Calendar

Our EDI calendar can help create an inclusive work and study environment, it can also inspire students, staff and visitors to take part in key celebrations and/or remembrance events.

The calendar highlights faith days observed or celebrated, key diversity days, awareness raising dates and public holidays.

It also focuses on the six main religions as identified in the Census of England and Wales; Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, All other religions and beliefs not included on the calendar are equally as valued and considered across our work.

Please note: The dates in the calendar were correct at the time of publication in January 2025.

To provide feedback on the calendar, please contact [email protected]