"It completely robs people of the way they used to live" says Long Covid support team
The COVID-19 day of reflection on 9 March 2025 marks five years since the pandemic
As communities come together to mark the COVID-19 day of reflection, five years on since the pandemic, we're hearing from a Long Covid Social Provider who supports those living with the illness in Essex and Suffolk.
Working out of Citizens Advice Colchester, Katherine Liu tells us they have helped support 172 people living with Long Covid in Colchester since the service began.
"We work with the Suffolk & North East Essex Long Covid Assessment Service (SNELCAS) based at Colchester, Ipswich and Bury Hospitals.
"After a client has seen their GP, who conducts blood tests and requests chest X-rays, they are referred into the service, a clinician assesses them, and clients are referred to us for non-clinical assistance."
Mrs Liu tells us Long Covid completely "robs people of the way they used to live".
"The most common challenges are related to Benefits, Employment and Health & Social care. For example, the client may have been holding down a steady job, running a home and maintaining a busy life, then after having Long Covid, this all suddenly changed.
"We can refer them to other organisations to seek alternative work, help them navigate the benefits system, or provide information to an employer so they can understand the impact Long Covid has on people’s lives."
Mrs Liu is encouraging each and everyone of us to "keep the dialogue going" on Long Covid in order to raise awareness and improve the support available to people.
Colchester has come together to honour the lives lost to COVID and pay tribute to the resilience of the community this week.
The event on 7 March 2025 featured contributions from local organisations and community groups that played key roles during the pandemic, and attendees had the chance to take part in art and craft activities designed to provide an outlet for personal expression.
An unveiling of a COVID-19 memorial took place on 3 March at Colchester Crematorium, serving as a permanent tribute to those we lost.
A memorial stone will also be placed at Trinity Square, once the restoration work at Holy Trinity Church is completed, ensuring that the legacy of those lost will be remembered.
The Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Lesley Scott-Boutell, has been dedicated to making this memorial a reality, pushing forward the initiative to ensure a meaningful place of remembrance in the heart of the city.
She said: “The memorial stone at Trinity Square will provide another important place for quiet reflection, ensuring the legacy of those we lost is honoured for generations to come.
"Remembrance flowers such as lavender and forget-me-nots will be planted around the memorial, symbolising love, memory, and resilience.”
“It is crucial that people have an easily accessible place to reflect and find comfort. Trinity Square is the perfect location for this memorial, it will be a space where our community can come together in remembrance and healing, and it’s great that we’ve been able to organise the memorial ready for when the works are completed in the coming years.”
The Mayor added: “As we approach the COVID-19 Day of Reflection, we are reminded of the profound impact the pandemic has had on our lives. Yet, even in the face of loss, the strength of our community—its unity, resilience, and acts of kindness—shone through. This day is not only a chance to remember those we have lost, but to celebrate the courage and compassion that helped us navigate such difficult times.”
If you, or someone you know, may be struggling with Long Covid, please go to your GP.
For further support, please contact Colchester Citizen's Advice on 0808 278 7853 or email [email protected].