UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 2026
Monday 16 November to Sunday 22 November 2026
BAPEN’s current page links to a toolkit and describes daily topics, including malnutrition screening on Monday, challenges and solutions on Tuesday, inclusive nutrition support on Wednesday and hydration on Thursday.
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On this page
Dates and event details
Monday 16 November to Sunday 22 November 2026. Held dates set by the organiser each year.
| Date status | Date source-confirmed for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Date-check source | BAPEN and Malnutrition Task Force 2026 |
| Where | United Kingdom |
What is in the 2026 programme?
BAPEN’s current page links to a toolkit and describes daily topics, including malnutrition screening on Monday, challenges and solutions on Tuesday, inclusive nutrition support on Wednesday and hydration on Thursday.
Friday returns to the Every Contact Counts message, while the weekend recognises people supporting nutritional care. Choose the parts relevant to your audience and use the current official materials rather than reusing an older campaign graphic with a new year added.
UK Malnutrition Awareness Week 2026 runs from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 November. It is organised jointly by BAPEN and the Malnutrition Task Force.
The 2026 focus is Every Contact Counts. The campaign asks health and care professionals to recognise opportunities to identify nutritional concerns and help people receive appropriate support. Community groups, families and members of the public can also take part in awareness activity.
For health and social care teams
A small team discussion could examine one point where nutritional concerns are raised and passed on. For example, can staff find the relevant guidance, and do they know which colleague or service should receive a concern?
- Choose a setting: keep the discussion focused on the ward, service or community team involved.
- Use approved resources: work from BAPEN’s materials and your organisation’s current training and procedures.
- Review a handover: identify whether important information reaches the appropriate person.
- Agree a follow-up: name who will address an unclear step and when the team will review it.
Professional screening tools should be used with the appropriate guidance and training. An awareness display or a community event should not become an informal assessment of individual visitors.
For families and community groups
Offer a readable information resource and a route to advice. Keep conversations considerate and private; avoid asking people to discuss their weight, diet or health in front of a group.
A library, community centre or carers’ group might share the campaign link alongside relevant local support information. Check that the service described is available to the people you are trying to reach, and provide an option for anyone who cannot use a QR code or online form.
Where to get personal health advice
The NHS malnutrition guide explains the condition and when to seek help. It advises contacting a GP if you have symptoms or are worried that someone in your care may be malnourished.
People’s nutritional needs differ. An awareness article cannot recommend an individual’s treatment, supplements or food and fluid requirements. Take those questions to an appropriate healthcare professional.
After the week
Keep the trusted information link available and check whether your team’s agreed improvement happened. When sharing activity with #UKMAW2026, use photographs and stories only with permission and avoid publishing personal health details.
