Every Story Matters: UK Covid-19 Inquiry hears over 50,000 pandemic stories

These stories, along with evidence from the Covid-19 Inquiry’s hearings and written witness statements, will help inform the Chair’s recommendations

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published the first record from Every Story Matters, bringing together stories from 50,000 people who have shared their experiences of life during the pandemic.

Every Story Matters – the largest public engagement exercise ever undertaken by a UK inquiry – has been traveling across the UK to hear from the public since October 2023.

These anonymised stories will help produce a themed report, which will help the Chair, Baroness Hallett, to reach conclusions and make recommendations for the future.

Ben Connah, Secretary to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, expressed his gratitude for the public’s involvement, stating: “This is a remarkable milestone for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and I could not be more grateful to the public for your support and involvement.”

“This year we have travelled the length and breadth of the UK to listen to people’s stories, from Enniskillen to Ipswich, from Oban to Southampton.

“Every one of these stories matters and will go on to shape the Chair’s recommendations for the future.”

The Inquiry will continue to gather these stories through its website, with additional in-person events scheduled for 2025 in Swansea, Manchester, and Bristol in February.

Since launching in October 2023, the Inquiry has held more than 100 events across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, meeting nearly 16,500 people.

In October, the Inquiry team visited Coventry, Southampton, Nottingham, and Leicester, engaging with more than 3,000 people in just two weeks and encouraging story submissions online, in person, and through various accessible formats.

The Inquiry has also heard from people at community-led events, festivals, agricultural shows, student unions, and conferences throughout the year.

Alongside public accounts, the Chair is also reviewing evidence from the Inquiry’s hearings and written witness statements.

You can share your pandemic experiences here.