Counting the human cost of the pandemic - what’s your story?

The human cost of the coronavirus pandemic on people and communities across the country is being assessed in a far-reaching survey to help Government and church leaders plan for further lockdowns and restrictions. Your experience and insights are therefore vital!  

The survey, COVID-19, Churches, and Communities: current needs and planning for recovery wants to hear from everyone whose lives have been affected by the closure of church buildings including all those who only used the building for social or community use and support, as well as those of all faiths and none. 

The national lockdown in March saw all churches having to close immediately bringing to a halt a huge range of community, social and mental health support activities: dementia groups, baby and toddler clubs, keep fit, crafts, support groups for the elderly, those living alone, Alcoholics Anonymous, nurseries, debt counselling services, help with finding work and homelessness. The restrictions on funerals have also meant that many have been unable to grieve properly or seek comfort from the church in the usual way.

This short, very specific survey is a chance for you to make your voice heard at a key moment in the developing response to COVID-19. It focuses on capturing:

• the effects on you and other members of your community of COVID19-related closures of church buildings, the loss of facilities for community activities, restrictions on funerals, etc
• the most helpful things churches could offer communities while emerging from lockdown
• what church and cathedral priorities should be in the event of a second wave
• what you and others would miss most if churches/cathedrals were forced to close permanently

 

 

If you have any questions regarding the survey or this research project, please contact us at churches-covid19-project@york.ac.uk.

Thank you for your input!