UK Covid-19 Inquiry in Ipswich
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is in Ipswich 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 Suffolk for two days as part of a series of nationwide Every Story Matters community events, at which members of the public are invited to meet the team and share first-hand how the pandemic affected them.
Every Story Matters, is the public’s opportunity to share with the Inquiry the impact the pandemic had on them and their life, without the formality of giving evidence or attending a public hearing.
The Inquiry will be visiting on Monday 5August and Tuesday 6 August and will be at Ipswich Town Hall from 10am until 4.30pm on both days. 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 a variety of different ways. Counsellors will also be present to provide emotional support for those who may need it.
Every Story Matters will support 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:
“From day one of the Inquiry we have wanted to hear experiences from all corners of the country, from people in all walks of life. This will ensure we get a full picture of the pandemic’s impact on people living and working across the UK.
“At our Every Story Matters event, people can come down to Ipswich Town Hall to meet with the Inquiry team, to find out more about the Inquiry and to tell their story. It’s incredibly important that local people get the chance to inform the work we’re doing.
“Each of us has a unique story to tell about the pandemic. It affected everyone, in family life, in the workplace, in our schools and communities. This is a chance to have your experience feed into the Inquiry and help inform our investigation.”
Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, said:
“Given that all our residents and communities were impacted by the pandemic and have valuable experiences to share, we welcome the UK Covid-19 Inquiry choosing Ipswich as a location for their engagement. We encourage all our residents who wish to participate to be involved in sharing their memories and stories through this event.”