Win a £150 Waterstones voucher and a copy of The Switch *NOW CLOSED*

In this current Covid 19 crisis we have all been made very aware of the importance of connection and community

Being socially active and engaged in the community keeps you healthy - mentally and physically. In fact, people with strong social networks tend to be more active, feel happier, and are more supported.

Life revolves around helping each other and is more important than ever at these times.

10 to 28

It's very important to for people of all ages to feel connected to their community because they form our larger family in life and can make us feel belonged, especially if our own families are few and far between.

Community is part of the long thread that stretches endlessly behind and in front. We all cling to it. If we don't, we fall. We need to look back with gentleness to avoid repeating mistakes and ahead with wisdom to prepare for what will come. Every person who drops off weakens the thread, but every hand that touches makes it stronger.

Make a circle with your friends, join hands, and extend that to everyone around you. Mental health is crucial and more than ever, if we connect, we read and listen, and realise we're not alone.Sharing our thoughts, not our opinions, be kind.

We all need to feel that we belong and not everyone has close family so the community becomes family to them. It so important to feel that we can contribute, be useful and that we matter to someone - Its a basic need to be wanted and loved - to give love and being part of a good community can make us feel amazing

It’s extremely important for everyone’s wellbeing. The elderly are relying on the younger neighbours for shopping and advice. I’m personally shopping for my elderly neighbour. Other neighbours have donated PPE to help the shortage I’m experiencing. I’ve received face masks, gloves, mask clips, face shields and even a packet of tena lady pants which will help out. I work in the community visiting people recently discharged from hospital or preventing hospital admissions. One neighbour cut my lawn when I’m in work. My husband has supplied neighbours with paracetamol and toilet rolls. He is a lorry driver for Wilko. I love my neighbour spirit and the Pandemic has brought us all closer.

Community means family. Everyone should be part of that. The elderly have so much to offer. Being home during the day they are great neighbourhood watch participants. The young offer vibrancy and life to an area. We all have something to offer and lots to learn from our communities.

Very important! The community is one of the main sources that allow us to gain a sense of security, belonging and trust. It’s so vital for us to never feel like we’re alone and it’s beneficial because we can learn a lot from people of all different ages, backgrounds, etc. When we’re together as a community, we tend to act in healthier and more loving ways!

All humans need social contact for good mental health which is why face time,phone calls ect are so important during the lock down.It is even more important for those with no family to have contact with their friends.It is so wonderful how so many people are helping those in their community

At the moment it is vital. People who live alone are extremely vulnerable especially now.

In these difficult times it is more important than ever for people of all ages to feel connected to their community. The social network allows us to give and receive help, in large and small ways, which makes life more bearable. This includes the gallant NHS workers and all the volunteers, young and old, who are helping to care for the more vulnerable members of their community.

Having family a distance away and also isolating I am more grateful to our community than I can ever say. Due to my health issues our council allocated me a local carer to shop and collect prescriptions but, within days, she succumbed to the virus. Thank heavens for a vibrant Facebook community group who have organised a main weekly shop with one person and others for "bits." Occasionally we have run out of things and have pinned a note to our fence asking for individual items. Some of our amazing community won't even take any money. Books, toys, plants and children's clothes are freely offered and the support is incredible. No one in our community needs to feel alone thanks to all the wonderful people so freely giving their time. We are so connected, the isolaters and the volunteers all doing their bit.

yes vital. i run a knit and natter group which connects a lot of craft loving people

Since Covid it just shows you how being apart of the community is beneficial, everyone rallying around and supporting one another it’s fantastic.

It is very important currently to keep in touch with not only our family and friends, but also our neighbours. Let's hope that when the current crisis is past, we continue to forge relationships and care for each other.

it is so important for everyone to feel part of a caring and thoughtful community . it is good for mental health to know there are people to call upon when things get tough and for physical health as community is great for organising healthy activities that involve people who may otherwise be alone and indoors with no social contact . once this crisis is over let us hope that communities will remain as strong and resourceful and supportive as they have been in these recent weeks.

It seems to give people a higher satisfaction rate if they do connect with their communities in a postive way :-)

At the moment it is very important more than ever as a community we can beat this virus without community there would be no help and people would simply perish..

It is hugely important to feel connected to your community as social isolation has a huge impact on ones mental health.

Many years ago a sense of community was felt in the majority of places, countryside and town alike. Parents knew that neighbours were watching over their children as much as they were, and children knew that they could go to neighbours if they needed help. Older people were respected and a big source of help in the community. That sadly changed as households moved apart, children played as much inside if not more than outside. This crisis has seen neighbours once again coming together, family has again become a focal point and people are realising that people are more important than objects.

Very important - and I suspect that when we old folks all finally emerge from house arrest, we'll probably have a bit of a street party!

It is Very important is it for people of all ages to feel connected to their community.