Individuals can apply for grants to cover a range of unforeseen costs.
Social media giant TikTok has donated £5 million to the Royal College of Nursing Foundation’s COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal.
The fund has been designed to provide emergency funding to frontline healthcare workers as well as psychological support both during and after the COVID-19 emergency.
The Foundation will be working with a wide range of partners to distribute the funding where it’s most needed, across the health and social care workforce.
Individuals can apply for cash grants to cover a range of unforeseen costs, for example, a zero-hours contractor who may need help covering money for rent, or a worker who needs mental health support in the aftermath of what they are dealing with day-in, day-out in hospitals.
The social media platform also reports an increasing number of TikTok videos being created by and for frontline healthcare workers, with healthcare-related videos totalling 330million views in the past month alone.
Unprecedented times.
Creators have been backing the #ClapForOurCarers campaign and saying #ThankYouNHS
Professor Jane Cummings, Chair of the RCN Foundation said: “We are delighted to welcome this donation, which will make a significant difference to the many front line healthcare workers who are making an invaluable contribution at the very forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In these unprecedented times, the healthcare community is facing significant challenges and this donation will not only support those individuals who may be experiencing personal hardship as a result of COVID-19 but will also help to address some of the psychological implications associated with working on the frontline at this time.“
Rich Waterworth, TikTok General Manager UK said: “The courageous work of those on the frontline of our healthcare system is both poignant and inspiring, and I hope our donation to the COVID-19 Healthcare Support Appeal, established by the RCN Foundation, can go some way in alleviating just some of the pressures many of these workers are dealing with at this time.
“I would like to personally thank them for the work they are doing in these unprecedented times.
