Website launched to thank NHS staff and carers

IAN BUNTING

A new website inspired by the weekly Clap for Carers has been launched to thank NHS staff and care workers helping to fight Covid-19.

Clap-counter for NHS displays the digital outpouring of thanks across the UK.

The site was created as a nod to the physical displays of appreciation that have taken place in Monklands and across the country since the first Clap for Carers last month, in which whole neighbourhoods have taken to their streets to join in a nationwide show of heartfelt appreciation for the healthcare system.

The website – www.thankyouNHS.online –tracks digital “thank yous” that take place on UK social media platforms and aggregates them to give a total digital counter of “claps”.

Since 8pm on March 26, when the first round of applause took place, there have been nearly 264,000 digital displays of gratitude for the NHS, with the number ever-growing.

The website allows users to further show their support for the NHS by either clicking to donate money to the NHS Charities, the umbrella organisation set up to represent all the 250 NHS charities.

Users can click to donate to the established NHS Charities Covid-19 Urgent Appeal fund or can choose to click to volunteer via the Royal Voluntary Service.

The initiative aims to create a central point to galvanise the support of Britain behind the NHS in a time of need.

By broadcasting the collective digital thanks, it is hoped that more people across the UK will be implored to offer their support either by monetary donations or by donating their own time as volunteers.

Ellie Orton, chief executive of NHS Charities, said: “The UK public as a whole has already responded magnificently to the need of the NHS.

“Public shows of thanks such as the 8pm Clap for our Carers campaign and the rush to volunteer provide an enormous amount of motivational and emotional support to NHS and care workers at this difficult time.

“We hope that with the launch of ThankYouNHS.online, we can also display the digital support for the NHS and use this to further communicate to care workers that we recognise and are thankful for their vital contribution.”