The Covid Aid story
From 2021 to 2023, a small charity, run largely by volunteers, reached hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. This is what Covid Aid achieved, and the community it leaves behind.
Why Covid Aid existed
Covid Aid launched in May 2021, while the pandemic was still unfolding. Much of the country’s attention was on the immediate emergency, but a quieter, longer crisis was already taking shape: people living with Long Covid, families bereaved by the virus, and a great many others carrying grief, trauma and isolation with little dedicated support to turn to.
We set out to be the place those people could find. A registered Scottish charity (OSCR SC050843), run largely by volunteers, with a single purpose: to give support, information and a voice to everyone in the UK significantly affected by Covid-19.
The difference we made
The numbers tell part of the story. The rest is in the messages from people who found us when they needed it most.
What we did
Free to access, and shaped by the people who used it.
A support community
A managed, moderated safe space where people could speak to others who understood, away from the noise of the big social networks.
Free courses
Self-paced courses to help with Long Covid, including fatigue and breathlessness, and a self-management programme for people in Scotland.
Expert events and webinars
Live Q&As and webinars bringing together clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience.
Counselling and listening support
Professional bereavement counselling and a listening ear for people facing grief, trauma and isolation.
Advice and information
A library of more than 175 articles on Long Covid, mental health, bereavement and living through the pandemic.
Peer groups
Tailored groups where members supported one another and helped shape what we offered.
Recognition
Covid Aid was recognised across the UK third sector, remarkable for a charity so young and so small.
Also shortlisted:
And, for the charity’s founder:
Working in partnership
We were never going to do this alone. We worked alongside larger charities and specialists so people could reach the right help, wherever it sat.
Speaking up
Alongside direct support, we worked to make sure the people affected by Covid-19 were heard. We researched the impact of Long Covid on people claiming Universal Credit, joined the Inequalities in Health Alliance to push for fairer health policy, and featured on an Independent SAGE briefing.
We engaged with parliamentarians at Holyrood and Westminster, and in February 2022 a cross-party motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulated the charity on its work. For a small charity, we made a noise that mattered.
Remembering together
Covid Aid was also about remembrance. We marked the National Day of Reflection each year, shared the work of I Remember, Scotland’s Covid Memorial, and opened our Covid Loss wall, where people left tributes to those they had lost. Through our CovidHeroes campaign we celebrated the grassroots groups and individuals who had quietly held communities together through the pandemic.
In their words
“Covid Aid and its Support Community really is phenomenal; the community is so helpful. It really did come into my life at the point I needed it the most.”
Maria, community member
“Covid Aid are very much champions of people. They are sharing information and supporting other organisations in a really helpful way.”
Amanda, Asthma + Lung UK
“Someone just replying and understanding means the world to me… it’s so nice to have someone who cares in my corner.”
Chrissy, community member
Made possible by
None of it would have happened without funders, supporters, volunteers and members who believed in the work.
And, above all, the volunteers, trustees, expert panel members and community members who gave their time, their skill and their stories. Thank you, to every one of you.
The story continues
The charity closed in October 2023, but the community it created did not. Our Covid Support Community is now a peer-led space, run by its members, and it is still free to join.
If you are living with Long Covid or ME, you will find people there who understand.
Join Our Covid Support Community