People in Luton and Folkstone had the opportunity to share their pandemic experiences with the UK Covid-19 Inquiry in person in July. Inquiry staff are travelling to towns and cities across the country over the next nine months to better understand people’s pandemic experiences.
Every Story Matters is the public’s opportunity to share the impact the pandemic had on them and their life with the UK Inquiry – without the formality of giving evidence or attending a public hearing.
Inquiry staff visited the University of Bedfordshire campus in Luton on Monday 8 July and Tuesday 9 July as well as Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone on Friday 12 July. Across the three days, nearly 1000 people took the time to meet with the Inquiry and speak about their experiences.
Every Story Matters will support the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s investigations by providing evidence about the human impact of the pandemic on the UK population. This will help Inquiry Chair Baroness Hallett make recommendations for the future.
We are grateful to every member of the public who came to meet us in Luton and Folkstone last week. I want you to know that your experiences really do matter and will help inform the work of the Inquiry. I would like to thank everyone who made the journey to come and see us.
Every town and city we have visited so far faced its own unique challenges. We have heard many stories of hardship, and of course we’ve heard from many thousands of people who lost loved ones. But we’ve also heard more positive stories. All of them are important and help us build a picture of how the pandemic affected people across the UK."
In August the Inquiry continues to travel across the UK, visiting Ipswich Town Hall on Monday 5 August and Tuesday 6 August and the Forum in Norwich on Wednesday 7 August. All future confirmed Every Story Matters events are here on the Inquiry’s website.
Members of the public do not need to visit an event to contribute to Every Story Matters. They can do so right now. Full details of how to tell your story can be found here.