At 8pm on Thursday evenings people have been throwing open their windows, standing on balconies and taking to their doorsteps to clap their hands and bang their pans in celebration of the brilliant, selfless work that the NHS continues to do. It is a mark of respect and appreciation, one that has united communities around a singular act which underlines the power of community in the midst of social distancing.

But what of the people who have difficulty clapping? To meet this challenge a new creative initiative has been designed to help anyone who wants to, to be part of the community celebrations but who have perhaps, up to this point, could only be a witness rather than a participant.

The creative solution is the work of creatives Elliot Shiels and Olly Cooper. When the pair realised they both knew people who have difficulty clapping they felt compelled to take action. Tap to Clap is a super simple site that provides the sound of clapping for you. So, people who do have difficulty with that action can tap a button on their phone, or ask a friend, relative or carer to do it for them, turn up the volume and join everyone in the Thursday night celebrations.

This initiative is another brilliant example of creativity under constraint providing a seemingly simple but vital tool for a community who may otherwise have been able to make their voices heard.

Visit Tap to Clap’s website to find out more.