Statement from Karin Smyth MP - Three Years On

In our Three Years On campaign, we look at the impact Covid-19 continues to have on thousands of people across the UK.

Over the past few weeks, we have shared a range of lived experience stories from people in the UK that continue to be impacted by Covid-19. With this campaign, we aim to reflect the need for visibility and to raise the voices of the millions around the UK who continue to be affected three years on from the pandemic.

Sally wrote: “I developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of my Covid experience. It took months of trauma therapy for me to be able to remember events from the Covid ward without reliving them. I still haven’t been able to fully grieve for my Dad”. You can read Sally’s story here.

An anonymous entry said: “There’s no help offered, despite numerous attempts to reach out to GPs. From a working perspective, whilst I can work, I’ve had to modify the way I do things and can’t fulfil certain essential courses as a result of my symptoms.” You can read the full story here.

We have reached out to politicians and other charities to encourage action within the government to support those still suffering.

Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South said:
“Covid-19 caused a huge amount of heartache and pain during its peak, but we should never forget that for many this suffering continues to this day. Two million people are living with Long Covid. That’s an estimated two million people struggling with aspects of life they once didn’t have to give a second thought to. We cannot allow these people to vanish into the background. It’s vital that those suffering from this new condition receive all the information, support and care they need.
“We are learning more about the condition all the time and need to support those living with Long Covid. Covid-19 hasn’t gone anywhere and we cannot lose focus on how we support each other through this health crisis.”

We thank Karin Smyth for this statement and everybody who has shared their personal story with us.

Covid Aid continues to support those significantly impacted by Covid-19. Even three years on from the pandemic, people continue to be affected by a range of Covid-19 related issues including Long Covid, grief and bereavement, mental health and financial issues.

If you have Long Covid and would like moral support and access to a range of resources, you can join our online Support Community
If you are struggling with grief and bereavement you can chat online directly with a specially trained bereavement counsellor using GriefChat