Marking five years since the Covid-19 pandemic, a special anniversary event will remember those who lost their lives, the ongoing impact on communities, and the sacrifices of healthcare workers, as research reveals over half (54%) of UK adults* who lost someone to Covid-19 are still grieving, and one in five (21%) UK adults are still processing what happened to them during the pandemic. Around one in seven (14%) have experienced a long-term health condition because of the virus.
Former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen and soprano Lesley Garrett CBE will join senior healthcare representatives, MPs and celebrities, along with NHS staff, patients, and bereaved families, at a live broadcast event hosted by NHS Charities Together – the national charity caring for the NHS – on Sunday 9th March (the UK’s annual Day of Reflection).
The event will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, and provide an opportunity for the nation to reflect on the pandemic’s impact on us all. Readings and testimonials will highlight the sacrifices made by healthcare staff and volunteers, as well as remember those who tragically lost their lives.
Ellie Orton OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together, said:
“Our research tells us that one in five people in the UK (21%) are still processing what happened to them during the pandemic, and around one in seven (14%) have experienced a long-term health condition because of the virus. And with over half (54%) of the UK still grieving for someone they lost due to Covid-19, we know how much this moment to reflect is needed.
“We are organising this event as an opportunity for the nation to come together to remember those who tragically lost their lives and mark the ongoing impact on families and communities, as well as the sacrifices made by healthcare workers who looked after us all. We invite everyone to get involved in whatever way they can – you can host your own event, watch via the livestream at nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/five-years-on, or please join us in a minute’s silence at midday.”
Michael Rosen, author of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, will share a specially written poem and testimonial about his personal battle with Covid-19, having spent 48 days in intensive care as a result of the virus. Other guests will include May Parsons – the nurse who delivered the first Covid-19 vaccine, former NHS Chief Executive and NHS Charities Together patron Lord Nigel Crisp KCB, Chief Nursing Officer for England Duncan Burton, Chief Midwifery Officer for England Kate Brintworth, and Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan. They will be joined by NHS patients and frontline staff who will share their memories of that time, as well as those mourning loved ones.
Actress Sophia Myles, who sadly lost her father to COVID-19 during the pandemic, said:
“I am honoured to be invited to this special event. It will be lovely to spend a day of shared reflection with others who, like myself, lost loved ones to the Covid virus. It will also give us all the opportunity to pay tribute to the critical role played by the NHS, its workforce, and NHS charities in supporting patients and communities during that incredibly challenging time.”
Rebecca O’Dwyer, Lead Nurse & Joint Clinical Lead, Critical Care Services, for Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust, will be speaking at the event. She said:
“My Trust was one of the most affected by Covid-19 in the country, at one point operating at 350% of our normal capacity. The overriding emotion experienced by staff was fear as we were facing the unknown. Concern that the intensive care unit would be overwhelmed and if there would come a time we would run out of ventilators was ever present. I watched staff put on their PPE outside physically shaking. People didn’t want to get out of their cars. They’d stop and vomit on the way to work.
“All we knew at that time was that there was no vaccine and it was killing people. To expose yourself to that daily, and put your own personal feelings and the protection of your family to one side, is huge. It’s so important we continue to reflect on what happened, mourn those that we lost, and honour our frontline staff who risked so much to protect their patients.”
As part of the service the public is invited to join a minute’s silence at midday, and blue heart wreaths will be laid by NHS representatives and MPs. There will also be musical performances by soprano singer, Lesley Garrett CBE – who supported her GP husband during lockdown by singing on her doorstep – and The Voice UK 2022 winner, Anthonia Edwards, who worked during the pandemic as a trainee nurse.
Michael Rosen said:
“It’s an honour for me to be asked to say a few words at this important event. A shadow passed over us and hundreds of thousands of people felt the sudden and unexpected loss of loved ones. I am so glad to be part of an occasion when we can reflect and share our thoughts and feelings about what happened. Thanks to the expertise and care I received, I came through, but I look back over my shoulder and think of those who didn’t. They were people who were with me in hospital or who didn’t even get to hospital – companions of a sort. We owe it to them and their families to remember them.”
The NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal raised over £162 million thanks to generous donations from thousands of people, and has made a critical difference at a time of immense challenge for the NHS. This includes providing over a million NHS staff – two thirds of the workforce – with counselling, rest areas and other support, and helping more than 600,000 patients access better care. The charity has also provided training and equipment for thousands of life-saving community first responder volunteers, and funded projects in the community to help people stay well and reduce pressure on the NHS. Visit nhscharitiestogether.co.uk to find out more.
Watch ‘Five Years On: Reflecting on the Pandemic’ via livestream using the button below from midday on Sunday 9 March, starting with a minute’s silence.
Research Reference
* NHS Charities Together commissioned YouGov to carry out UK Omnibus: Total sample size was 2415 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 24-25 February 2024. The surveys were carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
