Nursing Support Workers’ Day is a chance to recognise and celebrate the incredible contribution of support workers across health and care settings. Whether you're in a hospital, care home, GP surgery or community team, here are some easy ways to recognise your colleagues in your workplace. 

You don’t need a big budget or formal programme. A short gathering in the staff breakout room, coffee morning or team celebration can go a long way in making colleagues feel valued.

Give yourself a few weeks to:

• Choose a date and time that works for your team
• Book a space if required or set up a virtual link
• Let people know what’s happening

Make support workers the stars of the day:

• Share thank-you messages or shout-outs
• Create a ‘wall of appreciation’ with quotes or photos
• Give out certificates or small tokens of recognition

If you’d like to include a short talk:

• Ask a colleague, manager or support worker to share a reflection or story
• Keep it informal and uplifting
• Make sure they feel supported and appreciated

Share how you to plan celebrate using:

• Posters or flyers in staff areas (download your poster)
• Team emails or WhatsApp groups (download your Teams background)
• Your workplace intranet or noticeboard

Ideas to make the day special:

• Host a breakfast, lunch or tea break
• Decorate your space with balloons or bunting (if your clinical areas allow)
• Play music, share memories or run a fun quiz

• Take photos (with consent from those in the pictures and your employer) to share with your team or on social media 
• Let us know how you marked the day – we’d love to hear from you! Tag @theRCN and use #NursingSupportWorkersDay on social media

• Consider shift patterns and accessibility
• Make sure all support workers can join in or be represented.