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Join us on 5 July for the NHS 72nd birthday clap

Posted on: 1 July 2020

This Sunday 5 July is the NHS 72nd birthday. Join us on the day at 5pm, for the biggest country-wide NHS clap to say thank you to everyone who has helped the NHS respond to coronavirus so far. 

'The 5 July 2020, which is the birthday of our NHS, is about saying thank you to everyone without whom the NHS wouldn't have been able to respond to coronavirus.' — NHS Chief People Officer, Prerana Issar.

The 5 July will be a moment for everyone to reflect on everything our communities have recently endured, stand in solidarity to mourn our losses, and thank those who are risking so much to keep us safe. Thanking everyone from truck drivers and cleaners to doctors and shelf stackers, all of the key workers who have kept us going. It will also be a thank you to our neighbours, the ones who did the shopping, got the prescriptions, kept an eye on each other or simply did their best to stay home and save lives. This day will be the start of the campaign for a kinder, closer and more connected country.

Our hope is that together we can kick start a change in narrative, help our connections with each other and urge institutions into doing their bit.

 

How you can get involved

 

Saying thank you, together

  • On the evening of the 4 July, put a light in your window, in a moment of remembrance – perhaps sharing with local media. If there are key buildings in your area, you may want to encourage them to light up in NHS blue in solidarity.

  • Then on the 5 July at 5pm, take part in the national thank you, by clapping on your doorstep for our NHS and key workers, raising a glass to friends and neighbors, and hosting a small group for a physically distanced time of social connection. This will be a small and personal opportunity to thank people you are grateful to, but could perhaps be shared online.

  • Show your support on social media using hashtag #ThankYouTogether and @THGPCareGroup, with an image, or video message offering thanks to someone who has supported you and why – now, during lockdown or at any time. This could be a colleague, friend, family member or neighbour.
  • You can also colour in posters no matter what your age to show your love of the NHS. Click here to download poster templates.

Inspire others to explore a career in the NHS

2020 has been the most challenging year for our NHS, and staff at every level have gone above and beyond to respond to COVID-19 in remarkable ways, including thousands returning to the frontline to support their colleagues. Staff have adapted their ways of working, looking after each other as well as our friends, families and loved ones. We'd like to reflect on the moving stories of our staff recently and inspire others to consider a career in the NHS.