The Clap For Our Carers movement

With Covid-19 turning the whole world upside down, thousands of people suddenly found themselves doing incredible things to help others. Seeing that people in other countries were showing their collective gratitude through a timed applause en masse, Dutch Londoner Annemarie Plas, felt inspired to organise something similar across the UK. With no ties to government or the NHS, Annemarie is just a hugely grateful mum staying at home like so many of us, who wanted to show her appreciation for all the key workers doing their bit to keep the world turning.

The first Clap For Our Carers applause on 26th March 2020 captured the spirit of the nation and was a huge success up and down the country. The weekly 8pm applause then continued to grow in popularity and interaction each week, swiftly becoming an established part of our lives through lockdown – uniting communities, public figures and news broadcasters in their support.

For nine weeks the community clap has become a huge televised event every Thursday at 8pm, but the final applause (for now) is upon us. Thursday 28th May 2020 marks the tenth national applause and will be the end in the current run, as lockdown begins to be eased.

Clap For Our Our Carers will continue to evolve its vision, with plans including an annual national event – Clap For Our Carers Day – taking place on 25th March 2021 (one year on from the first applause).

Thank you to everyone over the last ten weeks who has got involved and shown their support for our frontline NHS workers and key workers, or indeed are themselves frontline NHS workers and key workers. We applaud you all! xx