10 Small Ways to Show Gratitude in Care
Care is full of big responsibilities — but it’s often the small gestures that keep people going.
Whether you’re a paid carer, unpaid carer, nurse, support worker, social worker, neighbour, or family member, one thing is true across the whole care community:
Gratitude matters.
It boosts morale, strengthens teams, builds trust, and reminds caring people that what they do is valued — even on the difficult days.
You don’t have to plan anything grand. Here are 10 small but powerful ways to show gratitude in care, at home and at work.
💛 1. Send a Special Mention
Sometimes the simplest “thank you” is the strongest.
A Special Mention on Peopleoo:
celebrates great practice
acknowledges compassion
recognises effort, not just outcomes
gives carers something to keep forever
boosts confidence on hard days
Whether you’re thanking a colleague, a manager, a friend, or an unpaid carer in your family, a Special Mention is a moment of recognition they’ll hold onto.
💛 2. Send an OOO (Out of Office of Optimism!)
OOOs are quick boosts of positivity — perfect for anyone who needs a lift.
Send one to:
your mother who holds the whole family together
your colleague who held the fort on a tough shift
the hospital porter who always makes people smile
the district nurse who goes above and beyond
the paramedic who visits your care home and treats every resident with dignity
the nursery worker who cares for your little one while you care for someone else
Everyone who cares for someone deserves to feel seen.
💛 3. Turn up without being asked
Caring people rarely ask for help — they’re usually too busy doing everything for everyone else.
One of the kindest things you can do is simply show up:
turn up with a meal
turn up to help with washing or tidying
turn up to sit with someone while their carer gets a shower
turn up for a walk or a cup of tea
Unprompted presence speaks louder than any words.
💛 4. Listen — properly
Carers often give out emotional support all day long. But who listens to them?
Listening is an act of gratitude.
It says:
“I see you.”
“Your feelings matter.”
“You don’t have to carry all of this alone.”
Sometimes all someone needs is a safe space to talk about the hard, funny, frustrating and beautiful parts of caring.
💛 5. Share people’s wins publicly (with permission)
Celebrate the moments that warm your heart:
a resident learning a new skill
a breakthrough moment with a child
a brilliant idea from a care worker
a family carer coping with an impossible situation
Public recognition isn’t about performative praise — it’s about showing the world the real, human side of care.
💛 6. Share your knowledge and expertise on Peopleoo
Care is full of people with extraordinary experience — yet so much of it stays hidden in individual teams or families.
Sharing your knowledge on Peopleoo:
helps others learn
breaks down the “gatekeeping” that exists in some parts of care
supports new carers and exhausted carers
builds a stronger, safer community
increases visibility of the raw, real and brilliant realities of caring
Visibility is a powerful form of gratitude.
It says: “This work matters — and so do the people doing it.”
💛 7. Say thank you for the small things
A cup of tea.
A shift swap.
A smile.
A supportive text.
A quick favour.
Small kindnesses often make the biggest difference.
Don’t underestimate the power of:
“Thanks for covering me yesterday.”
“I noticed what you did — it meant a lot.”
“You handled that so well.”
These moments build trust and team spirit.
💛 8. Celebrate the everyday care heroes
Not just the star performers.
Not just the senior roles.
Not just the big achievements.
Celebrate:
the quiet carers
the emotional labourers
the night staff
the ones who make everyone laugh
the steady hands and calm voices
the family carer juggling everything alone
Gratitude shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions.
💛 9. Encourage rest
One of the best ways to show gratitude is to support someone’s wellbeing.
Encourage carers to:
take their breaks
use annual leave
finish their shift on time
rest without guilt
A rested carer is a safer, happier, more resilient carer.
💛 10. Remind caring people of their impact
Caring can feel relentless, and many carers doubt themselves — even when they’re doing an incredible job.
Tell them:
“You make a difference.”
“This person’s life is better because of you.”
“You bring so much value.”
Carers spend so much time caring for others that they forget their own worth.
Gratitude restores that.
💛 Final thought
Gratitude isn’t grand. It’s daily.
And in care, those small daily acts change everything.
Special Mentions, OOOs, shared wisdom, and moments of kindness build a culture where caring people feel supported, connected, valued and uplifted.
You can strengthen someone’s whole day — or their whole career — with one simple expression of thanks.
So go on.
Say it.
Share it.
Send it.
💛 Someone out there needs to hear it today.