Lived Experience of COVID

Researchers from across the University have been undertaking a diverse range of projects related to the impact and challenges posed by Covid-19
Doctors team conferencing in video call chat on laptop discussing health care learning online during web seminar. Group medical webinar training, healthcare elearning, videoconference, zoom call concept.Getty 1286810741
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on all of our lives. Both the spread of the virus and the measures taken to halt or manage it, have necessitated major changes in how we do things. Health and care organisations, like hospitals, surgeries and care homes have all had to adapt, but the same has also been true of other organisations such as schools and youth services, as well as individuals. Some of these alterations may prove temporary, while others, whether it be changes in personal behaviour or new innovations in service provision, may be more enduring.Researchers from across the University of Plymouth have been undertaking a diverse range of projects related in some way to the impact and challenges posed by COVID-19 and its associated affects. We aim to highlight key examples of this work and providing links to more in-depth information.

Community experience

Research projects that dive deep into COVID's impact on communities.

Young woman with glasses and tattoos laughing while doing creative writing or illustration
Pandemic Poetry: A Collaborative International Poetry Project responding to COVID-19

Collaborating with Nottingham Trent University this project looks at how the writing, exchange, publication and discussion of poetry can benefit the UK (and global) public’s processing, healing, and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Digital sound recorder and other accessories on the wooden table, credit: toxawww. Courtesy of Getty Images.
The Corona Files – an oral history project designed to provide a journal of ‘the pandemic year'

To capture this experience in all manner of expressions for future researchers, as well as generate discussion now on how to process this event, Plymouth history students are collecting a diverse range of stories from their own communities.
A group of ex offenders who are playing a role in research looking at support for prisoners with mental health problems before and on release.
Finishing time with COVID-19: supporting socio-economically disadvantaged and criminalised individuals during a pandemic

Research in partnership with Landworks to examine the impact of COVID on the delivery of their rehabilitation support for prisoners and people on community sentences and the lived experiences under COVID amongst these groups.

COVID recovery and nutrition

Ensuring continuity of nutritional care for patients after discharge
This project develops a knowledge hub to support nutritional care for patients who are recovering from COVID-19. This included a series of free talks by experts on nutrition for anyone who has had COVID-19 or cares for someone with or who has had the infection.
Topics of the talks include:
  • Is there an anti-inflammatory diet?
  • Is there a link between food and my symptoms
  • Psychological wellbeing and communication with healthcare professionals.
Grandchild delivers groceries to grandparents during pandemic at their home - stock photo

Healthcare impact and adaptation

Research projects that take a look at adaptation required due to Covid-19

Girl working on a laptop. Apply pages.
Remote-by-Default Care in the COVID-19 Pandemic

The project seeks to develop tools to help clinicians assess people effectively by phone or video; support the change process; and strengthen digital innovation in the NHS.
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (1280x720)
Supporting the rapid reorganisation of General Practice

General Practice has been asked to reorganise care to ensure a reduction in the rate of spread of COVID-19. PenARC researchers have been working with NHS staff to identify key issues about how best to configure primary care in light of the outbreak.
Older man sitting in a wheelchair using a laptop
Telerehab Project

This project works in collaboration with NHS Trusts and social care organisations to develop a toolkit and training package for the workforce, which aims to optimise the confidence and competence of clinicians to effectively implement telerehabilitation.
Getty 1263712565. old people, elderly wearing mask. covid
Social prescribing for older people in the time of COVID drawing on the cultural sector

This project examines social prescribing to older people during the pandemic where many cultural assets were closed or had restricted access. The research explores how the cultural sector adapts to support older people’s wellbeing.

Education Impact and Adaptation

Investigating the 'strategic leadership' role of Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) in England planning for COVID.

Collaboration with Exeter University, to study whether and how special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) are involved in strategic planning for crises, with reference to school exclusion.

Find out more about the project

school pupil getty

Social care impact and adaptation

Researched centred on COVID-19's impact on the social care environment.

Staff in a care home - image courtesy of Shutterstock
Care Home Conversations

This project seeks to understand people’s experiences of how COVID-19 is affecting care homes as places to live and work; highlight what is currently working well or not and identify and develop a picture of ‘what could be’ in the future.
Old and young holding hands on light background, closeup
DETERMIND-C19: impact of COVID-19 on people newly diagnosed with dementia and their family carers

This project researches the impact of Covid-19, including reduced access to healthcare and restrictions to limit the pandemic's spread, on newly diagnosed dementia sufferers and their family carers.

Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research

The Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR) is a thriving community that conducts adventurous world-leading research with the explicit purpose of improving the health and care of the populations we serve.
Our work is grounded in the needs of the people of the South West and other rural, coastal, and deprived communities worldwide, but PIHR’s research has national and international reach and impact.
Find out more about the work of PIHR
People walking and talking in a modern setting.