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 the impact it had on you, and your life, with the Inquiry.
Every story shared with us will be used to shape the Inquiry’s investigations and help us to learn lessons for the future. Stories will be collated, analysed and turned into themed reports, which will be submitted into each relevant investigation as evidence. The reports will be anonymised.
Taking part
How can I share my experience?
By visiting the ‘Share your experience’ link below, you will be taken to a short online form that allows you to submit your experience of the pandemic.
Share your experience (opens in new tab)
You can share as much or as little information as you feel able. And you can start it now, and come back to finish it when you feel ready. Every Story Matters will remain open throughout the Inquiry and you can follow our progress by signing-up for our newsletter or following our social channels.
Why should I share my experience?
While we can’t change the past, by sharing your experience with the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, you can help us to understand and assess the full picture of how the pandemic impacted lives.
The form includes a section for you to tell us what you think could be learned, what could have been done better, or differently, or if something was done well.
Only 2 questions are mandatory, the rest are optional.
You can share your experience anonymously. However, because investigating unequal impact is such a crucial part of our work, please consider answering as many of the demographic questions as you feel comfortable with. This information will be hugely valuable in helping us to build a full picture of how the pandemic affected people of different ages, locations or communities.
Yes – because your perspective is unique. You do not need to have had Covid-19, or an experience that is directly related to the virus. We want to understand every aspect of the pandemic so you can share as much or as little as you want to about your life, your work, your community, your family, your wellbeing.
Every story shared will be valuable in shaping the Inquiry’s recommendations and help us to learn lessons for the future.
Every Story Matters will remain open throughout the Inquiry, so you can share your experience when you are ready. Experiences shared with us will feed into the investigations we are running and will shape recommendations the Chair will make at the end of each investigation. You can share now or later, your experience counts whenever you tell us.
Every story shared with us will be collated, analysed and turned into themed reports, which will be submitted into each relevant investigation as evidence. The reports will be anonymised.
Anonymised versions of your experiences will be archived by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. This means the experiences shared will form part of the historical record of the pandemic and will also be available for future researchers. Any details that could identify you including names, places and organisations you mention will be removed and stored securely.
The information you share with us will be crucial in helping us to understand the impact of the pandemic, however, the Inquiry will not consider in detail individual cases of harm or death.
We want to hear your perspective, directly from you.
The Inquiry is independent from the government and is impartial. There are no restrictions on what you can tell the Inquiry. However, if you share information that an adult or child is at risk of harm, or inform us of other serious crime, we may need to tell the police and other relevant authorities. The Inquiry is not legally set up to deal with formal whistleblowing complaints.
If you’re ready, share your experience now and help shape the future
Support
Help is available if you need it
Sharing your experience may trigger some difficult feelings and emotions. If you need help please see a list of support services.
Ask for a different format
If you need this form in another format, please tell us what you need by emailing us at contact@covid19.public-inquiry.uk. Please do not use this email address to share your experience with the Inquiry.
Or you can write to us at:
FREEPOST
UK Covid-19 Inquiry