UK Covid-19 Inquiry in Manchester to hear people's pandemic experiences
The Inquiry has so far heard from around 54,000 people right across the UK
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is in Manchester for the first time, with local people invited to share their pandemic experiences with the Inquiry in person.
The Inquiry team will be travelling to the city as part of a series of nationwide Every Story Matters community events, in which members of the public are invited to meet the team and share first-hand how the pandemic affected them.
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has so far heard from around 54,000 people right across the UK, from Llandudno to Luton, Oban to Exeter and Enniskillen to Folkestone. Now it is the people of Manchester’s turn to share their stories.
The Inquiry will be visiting on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 February and will be at Manchester Town Hall Extension, next to Central Library, on both days from 10.30am until 5.30pm.
Members of the public will be able to speak to Inquiry staff to find out more about Every Story Matters and share their experience of the pandemic in person, online or using a paper form. Counsellors will also be present to provide emotional support for those who may need it.
Every Story Matters is the largest public engagement exercise ever undertaken by a UK public inquiry. It supports the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s legal 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.
Inquiry Secretary Ben Connah said: “We are thrilled to be in Manchester for our Every Story Matters event and we can’t wait to hear from as many people as possible. To date we have had over 54,000 contributions from the public. Each has been unique - the pandemic affected everyone differently and this is your chance to have your voice heard and help inform our investigation.
“At our Every Story Matters event, people can come down to the Town Hall on St. Peter’s Square to meet with the Inquiry team, to have a chat and to tell their story. It's incredibly important that local people get the chance to inform the work we’re doing. You don’t need an appointment and our staff will be available to listen and help you in any way.
“We have visited over 20 towns and cities across the UK and will soon be closing submissions for Every Story Matters - this is your last chance to contribute to this massive, and vitally important record of the pandemic.”
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "The arrival of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry to Manchester is a welcome opportunity for us as a city to tell our story of the pandemic. As the Council's Executive Member for Health during its outbreak, I saw first hand its impact on our communities.
"This inquiry is a deeply important process and I would urge everyone to take part and share what they went through."