Support whilst engaging with the Inquiry

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry takes a trauma-informed approach

This means that as an organisation, we recognise that the Covid-19 pandemic was a distressing and traumatic experience for many people. We also acknowledge that each person’s experience of the pandemic will be different and we don’t make assumptions about peoples’ stories.

In our trauma-informed approach, we do not want  to retraumatise or distress people who give evidence or share their experience with us. We train Inquiry staff to understand psychological trauma and prolonged grief so that they can work sensitively with members of the public and witnesses. This helps to support the well-being of the public and  helps us to get a deep understanding of the issues that we are investigating.

Our trauma-informed approach prioritises:

  • Physical and emotional safety
  • Giving people a sense of empowerment
  • Trustworthiness
  • The experience of choice
  • Collaboration

Our trauma-informed approach is also committed to moving past cultural stereotypes and biases. 

If you need support while taking part in the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, we’re here for you.

The Inquiry aims to investigate what happened during the pandemic and learn lessons for the future. We know that thinking or talking about Covid-19 can be challenging for some people. It can bring back upsetting memories or difficult feelings. That’s why we want to make sure everyone feels supported while they engage with the Inquiry. We have resources and support to guide you. Just pick the option that matches your involvement, and you’ll get the right guidance.

I am a…

We recognise that as a Core Participant, you may feel strongly about the issues that the Inquiry is investigating and the way the Inquiry itself is working. We also recognise that thinking about the pandemic may bring up stressful and distressing feelings. Often, these feelings are temporary. However, there is help available to you if your wellbeing is affected by your engagement with the Inquiry.  

What emotional support is available?

The Inquiry has contracted Hestia, an external counselling organisation,  to provide confidential emotional support sessions to core participants. These sessions are available:

  • By telephone before a hearing day
  • Face-to-face on a hearing day, with Hestia support workers at the hearing centre
  • By telephone after a hearing day

Core participants can approach support workers and they will be offered emotional support in a private and confidential space.

You may also wish to consult our resources on attending to your wellbeing and coping with upsetting reminders of COVID-19 and the pandemic.

What do emotional support sessions involve?

Emotional support sessions involve discussing any concerns and feelings related to your engagement with the Inquiry. Your support worker may suggest some ideas or tips to help support your well-being. 

You can refer yourself to the service by sharing your name and contact details with Hestia by:

A member of the Hestia team will then contact you within 48 hours to schedule an appointment. If you are able, we recommend that you find a calm, quiet and private space for your appointment. This will help you to talk openly with the support worker and get the most out of your time.

What happens if I need further support?

If you think that you would benefit from additional support for your emotional wellbeing after your involvement in the Inquiry, the counsellor can signpost you to external services. You can also look at the Inquiry page for organisations that provide support.

Thank you for taking the time to give evidence as a witness for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. We are aware that providing evidence can be emotionally challenging. It is also understandable to feel upset when remembering and describing stressful experiences that happened during the Covid pandemic. Often, these feelings are temporary. However, there is help available to you if your wellbeing is affected by your engagement with the Inquiry. 

What emotional support is available?

The Inquiry has contracted Hestia to provide confidential telephone and face-to-face emotional support sessions. This support is provided by qualified support workers and is available to witnesses for up to 3 sessions – in the lead up to giving evidence, on the day of giving evidence and up to 2 weeks after you give evidence. You may also wish to consult our supportive resource on attending to your wellbeing and coping with upsetting reminders of COVID-19 and the pandemic.

What do emotional support sessions involve?

Emotional support sessions involve discussing any concerns and feelings related to your engagement with the Inquiry. Your support worker may suggest some ideas or tips to help support your well-being. 

You can refer yourself to the service by sharing your name and contact details with Hestia by:

A member of the Hestia team will then contact you within 48 hours to schedule an appointment. We recommend that you find a calm, quiet and private space for your scheduled appointment. This will help you to talk openly with the support worker and get the most out of your session. Hestia support workers will also be present in the hearing room, and will also be available to you after the hearing, via telephone.

What happens if I need further support?

If you think that you would benefit from additional support for your emotional wellbeing after your involvement in the Inquiry, your support worker can signpost you to external services. You can also look at the Inquiry page for organisations that provide support.

The pandemic affected every single person in the UK and, in many cases, continues to have a lasting impact on lives. Every one of our experiences is unique and this is your opportunity to share with the Inquiry the impact it had on you, your life, and the other people around you.

You can share as much or as little information as you feel able. We understand that reliving some of your experiences may be difficult. Here are some tips to help you when sharing your story. 

If you start feeling very upset, you can contact an emotional support worker using the information below. They are there to listen and help you talk about your feelings.

Before starting to share your story

  • If thinking about memories of the pandemic is too overwhelming, it may be best to come back to the form at a time when you feel more comfortable revisiting those memories. 
  • If you have different memories or stories to share, you can submit separate forms for each of these. This can help make it feel less overwhelming. 
  • Having copies of documents or reminders of memories from the pandemic could help you remember details to write about. 

While you are sharing your story

  • If writing about your pandemic story feels overwhelming, take regular breaks and do something relaxing. The online form has the option of saving your progress so you can continue completing it at a later time. 
  • Breaking down the form into smaller, more manageable sections can help with finishing the form. You can take your time to complete the form. 

After sharing your story

  • Spend some time doing a relaxing activity.
  • Returning to your usual routine will help feel calm and remind you that those memories are in the past. 

I have become upset by filling out the webform – who can I contact?

The Inquiry has contracted Hestia to provide confidential telephone and video call emotional support sessions for anyone who becomes upset while completing the form and would like to talk to someone about how they are feeling.

You can refer yourself to the service by sharing your name and contact details with Hestia by:

What happens if I need further support?

If you think that you would benefit from additional support for your emotional wellbeing after sharing your story or phone call with Hestia, the support worker can signpost you to external services. You can also look at the Inquiry page for organisations that provide support.

Thank you for taking the time to support the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. We are aware that thinking about your experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult. It is understandable to feel upset when remembering and describing stressful experiences. Often, these feelings are temporary. However, there is help available to you if your wellbeing is affected by your engagement with the Inquiry.

What emotional support is available?

The Inquiry has contracted Hestia to provide confidential telephone and video call emotional support sessions. This support is provided by qualified support workers and is available to participants in Inquiry research after you take part in the research interview. 

What do emotional support sessions involve?

Emotional support sessions involve discussing any upsetting feelings that may have arisen during your interview. The support worker may suggest some strategies or tips to help support your well-being. 

You can refer yourself to the service by sharing your name and contact details with Hestia by:

A member of Hestia staff will then contact you within 48 hours to schedule a telephone or video appointment. We recommend that you find a calm, quiet and private space for your scheduled appointment. This will help you to talk openly with the support worker and get the most out of your session.

What happens if I need further support?

If you think that you would benefit from additional support for your emotional wellbeing after your involvement in the Inquiry, the counsellor can signpost you to external services. You can also look at the Inquiry page for organisations that provide support.

Thank you for taking the time to support the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. We are aware that thinking about your experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult. It is understandable to feel upset when remembering and describing stressful experiences. Often, these feelings are temporary. However, there is help available to you if your wellbeing is affected by your engagement with the Inquiry. 

What emotional support is available?

The Inquiry has contracted Hestia to provide confidential telephone and face-to-face emotional support sessions. This support is provided by qualified support worker and is available to impact filming participants before the day of filming, on the day, and once the film has aired.

What do emotional support sessions involve?

You might like to talk about any concerns you have about taking part in the film, or how you feel about sharing your experience. Your support worker might suggest some strategies or tips to help support you in the process. After the film has aired, you might like to talk about how it felt to take part and what the impact has been for you.

On the day of filming, you will be signposted to one of the support workers. It is entirely your choice whether or not you take up this offer.

Alternatively, you can refer yourself to the service by sharing your name and contact details with Hestia by:

A member of Hestia staff will then contact you within 48 hours to schedule an appointment. We recommend that you find a calm, quiet and private space for your scheduled appointment. This will help you to talk openly with the support worker and get the most out of your session.

What happens if I need further support?

If you think that you would benefit from additional support for your emotional wellbeing after your involvement in the Inquiry, the support worker can signpost you to external services. You can also look at the Inquiry page for organisations that provide support.

Thank you for taking the time to support the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. We are aware that thinking about your experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult. It is understandable to feel upset when remembering and describing stressful experiences. Often, these feelings are temporary. However, there is help available to you if your wellbeing is affected by your engagement with the Inquiry.

What emotional support is available?

The Inquiry has contracted Hestia to provide face-to-face emotional support sessions. This support is provided by emotional support workers who will be at the Every Story Matters events. You can speak to an emotional support worker at any time during the event. If you choose to share your experience with us on the day, you might like to speak to a support worker before you start and afterwards.

What do emotional support sessions involve?

You might like to talk about any concerns or feelings you have about sharing your experiences with us. Your support worker might suggest some strategies or tips to help support you in the process. 

You may also wish to consult our supportive resource on coping with upsetting memories of COVID-19 and the pandemic.

What happens if I need further support?

If you think that you would benefit from additional support for your emotional wellbeing after your involvement in the Inquiry, the support worker can signpost you to external services. You can also look at the Inquiry page for organisations that provide support.

For any other support questions, please look at our Frequently Asked Questions.

Thank you for taking the time to support the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. We are aware that thinking about your experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult. It is understandable to feel upset when remembering and describing stressful experiences. Often, these feelings are temporary. However, there is help available to you if your wellbeing is affected by your engagement with the Inquiry. 

What emotional support is available?

The Inquiry has contracted Hestia to provide face-to-face emotional support sessions. This support is provided by emotional support workers who will be at every hearing. You can speak to an emotional support worker at any time during the day. If you choose to sit in the public gallery or viewing room on the day, you might like to speak to a support worker if you find you would benefit from some support.

What do emotional support sessions involve?

You might like to talk about any concerns or feelings you have about what you are listening to throughout the hearing.  Your support worker might suggest some strategies or tips to help support you in the process.  

You may also wish to consult our supportive materials on coping with upsetting memories of COVID-19 and the pandemic.

What happens if I need further support?

If you think that you would benefit from additional support for your emotional wellbeing after your involvement in the Inquiry, the support worker can signpost you to external services. You can also look at the Inquiry page for organisations that provide support.

For any other support questions, please look at our Frequently Asked Questions.

Who are Hestia?

Hestia is an organisation which is separate to but contracted by the Inquiry, to provide free confidential emotional support to people as they participate in the Inquiry. All Hestia staff are qualified and experienced to provide emotional support. Information about Hestia can be found on their website: hestia.org. Hestia emotional support is available to enable you to engage with the Inquiry and look after your wellbeing during this time. Hestia staff can provide information about additional support services if needed. You can also access the Inquiry page here for other organisations that provide support. Hestia will invite you to share feedback on your experience of their support.

If you are in crisis

If you are in crisis and feel unable to keep yourself safe, or are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide that you feel you may act on, please consider the following emergency options:

  • Go to any Hospital or A&E department or book an emergency appointment with your GP
  • Call 999 and ask for an ambulance or for non-emergency health advice call the NHS on 111
  • If you need urgent support but don’t want to contact the health service call the Samaritans 24/7 helpline on 116 123