Clap for Our Carers, was a movement created as a gesture of appreciation for the workers of the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) and other key workers during the global pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which spread to the United Kingdom in January 2020.
Clap for Our Carers was a UK-wide social movement that emerged during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Inspired by similar initiatives in Europe, it encouraged people to show appreciation for NHS staff and key workers by applauding from their homes every Thursday at 8 pm.
The first event took place on 26 March 2020 and quickly gained momentum, with millions participating weekly until the final official clap on 28 May 2020.
The movement saw widespread support from the public, celebrities, and politicians, and landmarks across the UK were illuminated in blue as a tribute to frontline workers.
In 2021 the site started working with well known UK brands to support NHS workers across the UK by offering money saving NHS discounts to purchases to help through the cost of living crisis.
The movement’s revival in January 2021 under the name “Clap for Heroes” aimed to broaden the scope of appreciation to include all key workers.
With debates surrounding its efficacy, Clap for Our Carers remains a significant example of collective action during a time of crisis.
It highlighted the public’s deep appreciation for frontline workers and sparked conversations about the value and treatment of those in essential roles.
The movement underscored the importance of not only symbolic gestures but also concrete measures to support and protect key workers.
Timeline of Our History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 12, 2020 | 🇮🇹 Italy: Residents in Rome and Milan start singing and applauding from balconies. |
| March 14–15, 2020 | 🇪🇸 Spain: 8 pm applause from windows and balconies begins nationwide. |
| March 16, 2020 | 🇫🇷 France: Citizens start nightly “Applaudissements” for healthcare workers. |
| March 19, 2020 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands: #klapcoronamedewerkers campaign spreads on social media. |
| March 22, 2020 | 🇮🇳 India: Mass clapping and bell-ringing organised after PM Modi’s national address. |
| March 26, 2020 | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: First “Clap for Our Carers” event at 8 pm across the country. |
| March 27, 2020 | 🇩🇪 Germany: “Applaus Aktionen” spread across Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. |
| March 30, 2020 | 🇨🇦 Canada: 7 pm cheer movements start in Vancouver, then spread to Toronto. |
| April 1, 2020 | 🇦🇺 Australia: Launch of #ClapforCarersAU social media campaign. |
| April 2, 2020 | 🇺🇸 United States: “Clap Because We Care” nightly cheers begin in New York City. |
| April 3–5, 2020 | South America: Balcony applauses and pot-banging protests spread in Brazil. |