The UK Covid-19 inquiry is set to come to Exeter on Monday, with residents invited to share their pandemic experiences in person.
The Every Story Matters programme was designed to remove the formality of giving evidence or attending a public hearing, organisers said.
Drop-in sessions are being held at Exeter Community Centre, or people can book 30-minute slots online.
Hearings for the national inquiry are expected to conclude in 2026.
People who visit the community centre will be able to speak to the inquiry staff.
Inquiry secretary Ben Connah said: “Each of us has a story to tell about the pandemic.
“Sadly, hundreds of thousands of people lost loved ones, and many more became ill or suffered hardship or isolation. We really want to hear what you have to say.”
Speaking on BBC Radio Devon, he added that the session was helping to ensure the “human impact of the pandemic is at the centre of this inquiry.
The inquiry was established to “examine the preparedness for, the response to, and the impact of the pandemic and to learn lessons for the future”.
Baroness Heather Hallett opened the national inquiry in June 2022.
It has since opened seven investigations, with more expected.
UK Covid-19 Inquiry – Every Story Matters Drop in Event
About this event
Come and meet our team in Exeter at the Exeter Phoenix, and help us to understand how the pandemic affected you and your community.
The pandemic affected every single person in the UK and, in many cases, continues to have a lasting impact on lives. This is your opportunity to share the impact it had on you, and your life, to shape the Inquiry’s investigations and help lessons to be learned.The pandemic affected every single person in the UK and, in many cases, continues to have a lasting impact on lives.
Every Story Matters, the Inquiry’s UK-wide listening exercise, is the public’s opportunity to share the personal impacts of the pandemic with the Inquiry, without the formality of giving evidence or attending a public hearing. It will support the UK Covid-19 Inquiry’s investigations by providing evidence about the human impact of the pandemic on the UK population.
The Drop In session at Phoenix Exeter on Tuesday 28th November 2023. It starts at 10am and ends at 12.30pm.
You can just turn up on the day but if you need support, you can also book in for a private 1-2-1 session..
The Drop In session is in Studio 1, 1st floor and for the Private 1-2-1, go ot the Meeting Room, 1st Floor.
The event has been specially created to explain how you can share the impact it had on you, and your life, to shape the Inquiry’s investigations and help lessons to be learned.
East Devon Watch 