Public Service Day campaign launched by Brighton’s Boundless wins backing of MP Peter Kyle

People of Sussex urged to say ‘thank you’ to public service workers on June 23

A campaign asking people to say ‘thank you’ to the country’s millions of public service workers on Public Service Day has won the backing of Hove MP Peter Kyle.

The day, on June 23, was officially launched by the United Nations as long ago as 2003 but has barely been recognised in the UK so far.

Now public sector membership club Boundless, which is based in Brighton, wants to change that and put the country’s hard-working public servants – from teachers to firefighters and administrators to nurses - in the spotlight.

It is asking everyone in Sussex to mark Public Service Day by saying a simple thank you to those who work so hard in the public sector – whether that is in person, in writing or on social media.

MP Peter Kyle said: "Since becoming an MP, work-shadowing front-line workers in our public services has given me a true insight into the skill, professionalism, and sheer graft that underpins our society.

“The chance to celebrate public service is something we should grab with both hands as a way to thank those in service today and to inspire those of tomorrow."

Boundless will be donating £10,000 to be spread across five charities which serve those in public service to say its own special thank you, including The Firefighters Charity, Police Care UK, the Education Support Partnership, The Charity for Civil Servants and the RCN Foundation.

However, people across the UK are being urged to make a far simpler contribution: by just saying ‘thanks’ to the people in public service who have impacted their lives.

Boundless Chair Heather Glanville said: “It’s so easy to forget what a big contribution people who work in the public sector make to society, but all our lives are supported by them in some way, almost every day of the year.

“Whether it is the nurse who looks after you in hospital, the police officer who comes to your rescue, the midwife who delivers babies, the civil servant at the job centre who goes the extra mile or the teacher who inspires us and our children – it’s time to let them know they are appreciated.

“A simple ‘thank you’, whether that is online, in a letter or in person, can go a long way. After all, we all need to feel appreciated.”

Boundless believes Public Service Day is the perfect time to remember the 5.37m people employed in the public sector and civil service in the UK.

Heather added: “It’s remarkable, really, that the day has been so overlooked in the UK given the proud history of our public sector and the number of people who work in it. This year, let’s put that right.”

To join the conversation and share your stories as to how public sector workers have supported you, please use the hashtags #PublicServiceDay #timetosaythanks and include @bemoreboundless.

For more information, please visit www.boundless.co.uk/publicserviceday. 

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Editors notes

Boundless is a membership club for civil service and public sector workers who are looking for inspiration on getting the most out of their free time. With a heritage and expertise dating back more than 90 years, Boundless offers its 230,000 members deals on hundreds of unique experiences, events, volunteer activities and things to do. It’s also mutual, so all profits go straight back into the club to benefit members.