Nutrition and Hydration Week (N&H Week), March 14 – 20, 2022, is now in its eleventh year, but the pandemic made it difficult to mark the occasion last year, so the event will this year hold its tenth birthday celebration, with a twist.
The week provides a platform for everyone involved in providing nutrition and hydration care across health and social care to demonstrate and promote their good practices. Hundreds of organisations and establishments, including hospitals, care homes and domiciliary care, across the UK take part in the week.
Its reach is also global and now goes beyond health and social care sectors. In 2020, the Fire Brigade Union, water businesses and private companies from other industries took part. In 2021 the armed forces joined in. This year, The British Transport Police are celebrating the week. This shows how important nutrition and hydration is to us all.
Social media is predominantly how the impact and reach of the week is measured. Last year, N&H Week’s Twitter (@NHWeek) reached over 12 million accounts and its Facebook followers grew by over 23% in the four weeks leading up to and over the week. Social Media and emails asking for support show over 40 nations now join in with the event.
The week is a celebration, and an opportunity to raise awareness of nutrition and hydration. There are no restrictions for what should happen throughout the week, but some daily themes are provided to help provide inspiration to organisations participating.
Nutrition and Hydration Week themes of the day
Monday - Breakfasts
Tuesday - Suppers
Wednesday - Afternoon Tea, the Global Afternoon Tea Party
Thursday - Hydration
Friday - Fruit or Fish
Saturday - Smoothies
Sunday - Sundaes
One standalone focus day for 2022 will also be confirmed.
N&H Week will once again be supporting colleagues at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) for Swallow Awareness Day on Wednesday, March 16.
Building a legacy
The week is a true social movement owned by no one and coordinated by three individuals in their spare time.
Caroline Lecko states: “Nutrition and Hydration Week has been a catalyst to create a social movement to support and encourage positive change in the provision of nutrition and hydration wherever it takes place. The importance of good nutrition and hydration for us all can’t be underestimated - it is essential in supporting and maintaining good health and wellbeing.”
Andy Jones adds: “We have seen legacies develop from the week, where people have been able to utilise the week to demonstrate the benefits of food and drink to improve the quality of life of those they care for. This has often led to changes longer term in improved food and drink provision.”
Derek Johnson comments: “It’s the passion of everyone involved that has created the week - all we do is provide a platform for them to demonstrate the good, when a lot of media focus is on the negatives. To us, positives inspire people to achieve more.”
