Social infrastructures for the post-Covid recovery in the UK

Dr Nikita Simpson | Prof Laura Bear | Caroline Bazambanza | Rebecca E. Bowers | Atiya Kamal | Anishka Gheewala Lohiya | Alice Pearson | Jordan Vieira | Connor Watt | Milena Wuerth
Location: United Kingdom
Year Published: 2021

A central conflict during the Covid-19 pandemic was keeping people safe from a virus that is transmitted interpersonally while also providing vital support to those in need. This report presents the findings from 12 months of research, which revealed that people fell back on their families, neighbourhoods and communities in order to navigate new challenges. The report highlights how these “social infrastructures” were central in efforts to encourage vaccine uptake, as well as helping people to grieve and recover from losses of life and livelihoods. It argues that both short- and long-term investment in these social infrastructures is crucial for the post-Covid recovery in the UK.