Lives Interrupted: The Voices of Young People with Long Covid
Raising awareness of the hidden struggles faced by children and young people living with Long Covid.
Official Website | Press Pack
Concept
A new short film, “Lives Interrupted”, produced by Combination Dance Company in collaboration with Long Covid Kids (LCK), has been co-produced in consultation with the young people who feature in it, ensuring their lived experiences are represented with honesty and authenticity.
Give a voice to children’s lived experiences
Inspire parents, educators, and policymakers to take action
Create a film that is both empathetic and impactful
Inspire parents, teachers, and policymakers to take urgent action, creating lasting change in care, education, and support for young people whose lives have been reshaped by Long Covid.
Execution
Launching with UK Covid Inquiry & National Red-Carpet Premiere
29 September 2025: The film will launch online, aligning with the opening of the Children and Young People module (Module 8) of the UK Covid Inquiry, where Long Covid Kids are core participants. This timing ensures that the voices of children affected by Long Covid are heard as national attention turns to the impact of Long Covid on children and young people.
1 October 2025: Sammie McFarland, Founder and CEO of Long Covid Kids, will give evidence to the Inquiry, highlighting the early and ongoing experiences of children and young people living with the lasting consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection - Long Covid.
20 November 2025: A red-carpet premiere will then follow at Kew Gardens’ National Archives.
At TODDCS, our role was to craft visual storytelling that balanced sensitivity with strength. Working closely with Combination Dance Company and Long Covid Kids, we focused on ensuring the film reflected both the urgency of the issue and the resilience of the young people featured.
Our approach included:
Careful editing to foreground the children’s voices and narratives.
A visual tone that highlighted both vulnerability and hope.
Seamless integration of advocacy messaging to connect with diverse audiences.
Supply digital content for the Press Pack.
Create short cuts of the piece for sharing on social media before the film premiered.
Impact
This short film serves as both an awareness tool and a call to action. It has been described by families as “a lifeline” in making their voices heard.
According to ONS data (April 2024), 111,816 children aged 3–17 in England and Scotland were estimated to be living with Long Covid at the time of the survey. With no further data currently being collected, this film provides a vital platform for those experiences.
The project highlights the urgent need for systemic change in healthcare, education, and policy, ensuring that children affected by Long Covid receive the recognition and support they deserve.
Quotes
“This beautiful film, co-produced with the children themselves, captures their lived experience and gives them the chance to be heard. As I give evidence to the UK COVID Inquiry on 1st October, I’ll be carrying their voices into the hearing to Lady Hallet, and asking her to consider recommendations that children and young people desperately need.”
Sammie McFarland, Founder & CEO, Long Covid Kids
Hannah Gilbert, Producer
“Having multiple chronic illnesses myself, stemming from a post-viral fatigue illness 15 years ago, it has been an honour to produce this short film. The plight of these children and young people is not being given anywhere near enough attention, and it’s so important that awareness is raised and actionable strategies are put into place to assist them going forward. The number of young people suffering from this illness, over 100,000 and growing, could disappear from society permanently if we do not help them now.”
Hannah got unwell with the flu at age 16, suffered from Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome afterwards (a similar illness to Long Covid) and developed ME and Fibromyalgia in her early twenties as a result. Hannah is currently only well enough to work part-time due to her illnesses.
Combination Dance
Enquiries: Anne-Marie Smalldon | info@combinationdance.co.uk | +44 7966 230563
Long Covid Kids
Media Enquiries: Jen Acton | jacton@longcovidkids.org
Credits
Young People: Clara, Lucinda, Ines, Daniel and Olivia
Voiceover & Young Person Walking: Mia-Grace
Professional Dancer & Choreographer: Evie-Leigh Savage (@evieleighsavage)
Production & Executive Producer: Anne-Marie Smalldon, Combination Dance (@combinationdance)
Producer & Film Artist: Hannah Gilbert (@hannahtedgilbert)
Youth Director: Isabel Clayden (@isabelclayden)
Editor: Luke Toddfrey, TODDCS (@LukeToddfrey / @toddcstudios)
Advisors: www.longcovidkids.org
