Every Story Matters events


Every Story Matters events are a way of sharing your story with the Inquiry in person. Some of these events are targeted for specific groups of people affected by the pandemic, while others are open to the general public. 

Although Baroness Hallett will not be able to attend all events, she will join selected events from time to time.

If you’re in one of the areas we are visiting please join us and help us understand how the pandemic affected you. We want to hear about your experiences to help inform our recommendations to make things better in the future.

Please note that we will be visiting more places across the UK later in 2024. Venues, timing and other information about these will be shared via our newsletter and on this page as soon as we have confirmed details.

What to expect at our events

At all of our events you will have the opportunity to:

  • drop in and speak to Inquiry staff about Every Story Matters
  • receive assistance in completing the online form
  • collect a paper form and printed information about Every Story Matters

For these events we will be running listening hubs, which are spaces where you will be able to learn about Every Story Matters and Pods, which are quiet spaces where you will be able to complete the form with or without assistance. We will also have interactive themed discussion boards where you will have the opportunity to share your experiences on a specific element of the pandemic and at the same time see what other people have shared.

How you can get involved

If you’re based in one of these locations please get in touch with us at engagement@covid19.public-inquiry.uk. If you are able to help raise awareness of our events locally or are holding an event or meeting where we could speak to your group, then we want to hear from you.

Every Story Matters will be in Swansea, Manchester and Bristol in February 2025, with full details to be confirmed.

Past events

So far during 2023 and 2024 the Inquiry team have visited the following locations to speak with members of the public about their experiences of the pandemic and how they can share their story with the Inquiry:

  • Birmingham
  • Carlisle
  • Wrexham
  • Exeter
  • Newham
  • Paisley
  • Derry/Londonderry
  • Enniskillen
  • Bradford
  • Middlesborough
  • Llandudno
  • Blackpool
  • Luton
  • Folkestone
  • Ipswich
  • Norwich
  • Coventry
  • Southampton
  • Nottingham
  • Leicester

We’ve also attended conferences organised by representative bodies and other organisations, plus we held some virtual and in-person listening sessions in collaboration with charities and support groups.

If your organisation is running an event that you would like us to attend, please let us know by emailing engagement@covid19.public-inquiry.uk