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

(817 Posts)
NatashaGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 17-Apr-20 10:30:29

To celebrate the release of The Switch by Beth O'Leary we're giving one lucky gransnetter the chance to win a £150 Waterstones voucher, along with a copy of the book. We're also giving two runners-up £50 worth of Waterstones vouchers each as well as a copy of the book.

More details on the prize can be found HERE and T&Cs HERE. We will pick a winner after 11am on 23rd May.

To enter simply tell us... How important is it for people of all ages to feel connected to their community?

You must be a registered Gransnet user to enter. Sign up to Gransnet HERE if you haven't done so already.

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sscrase Tue 28-Apr-20 17:44:47

I honestly think it varies from person to person and group to group irrespective of age. There are those who do want to keep connected to a wide local community whereas others only want family and others will rely on a more global online community. I don't think there is a hard and fast rule for anyone.

sarahex1 Tue 28-Apr-20 19:37:25

Very important as it gives you are sense of purpose

Breeze81 Tue 28-Apr-20 20:12:24

It's very important for all ages to be part of and involved in Community. It brings happiness, prevents loneliness and gives people a sense of purpose.

BoneBuckingham Tue 28-Apr-20 20:57:45

I believe this is very important and beneficial in many ways!

traceyanne Tue 28-Apr-20 22:46:33

I now live in a big city having moved here 7 years ago from a small town where I grew up...so to feel welcome in the community was amazing, we have a community facebook page where local people ask for advice, inform young and old of up coming events, advertise traders, sell items or giveaways, and give recommendations. I have met lots of lovely people through coffee and cake events, allotment days and socialising events. This has been amazing during the lockdown as neighbours and community members we offer help with shopping, book swaps, pharmacy trips and crafting ideas and friendship... stay safe everyone xx

steph8 Wed 29-Apr-20 04:34:15

very important as everyone gains from being connected - young and old. There are no losers.

otherwiseknownasGrandma Wed 29-Apr-20 11:39:19

So important today more than ever. I'm lucky enough to live in a friendly community so in these strange times there's usually someone to stop and chat with (at a safe distance) on my daily walk.

finemang Wed 29-Apr-20 12:11:37

I think you don't always appreciate your community until you are in a difficult situation and then you realise how lucky you are!

ballie Wed 29-Apr-20 12:14:37

I feel it is really important for people of all ages to feel connected to their community because inclusion is very valuable in recognising their involvement and it also gives them the opportunity of sharing their views and ideas. If you can plant an acorn and it is a healthy one, you could end up with an oak tree.

IvvieN Wed 29-Apr-20 12:15:03

It’s like the parable of losing the battle because of a horse losing a nail from its shoe. If we don’t knit together as a small community, the schisms get bigger and bigger and we end up as a totally disintegrated world

Clarkehouse Wed 29-Apr-20 12:16:38

It is very important to keep connected. It has been lovely where I live to see everyone out on a Thursday doing the clap for carers. We have a rota of people (including myself) who have volunteered for shopping trips etc. Long may it continue after the virus has gone.

Rumpunch Wed 29-Apr-20 12:22:20

It's very important for people of all ages to feel valued in the community. We all have different skills, abilitys and experience which help each other out. We all need to feel wanted.

Nana49 Wed 29-Apr-20 12:23:10

It is important for some people because they want to feel part of their environment in some way but for others they want to keep themselves private.
I think it's important for the majority of people to feel connected in some way or another to their community, or to contribute positively to their environment.

zulianilord Wed 29-Apr-20 13:37:14

A community is made up of all ages and therefore it is important that all ages connect and make an input so that a vast range of experience is gathered and there is something available for everyone.

Sjonlegs Wed 29-Apr-20 13:58:31

I think it's super important for everyone to feel included within community. Before children, when myself and my husband both worked we only really knew our immediate neighbours and not particularly well. 20 years on, having gone through schools and with myself now working from home it's wonderful to truly feel part of a community. Our support network has diminished through recent times, but community has been there to pick up the pieces - which has very much helped us physically and helped us feel both included and valued. Big shout out to t'internet - with various online community groups ensuring communications are always open - even when we can't visit friends and chat to our neighbours as readily.

Tizliz Wed 29-Apr-20 20:29:43

It can depend on the person. Whilst it is fun being part of the community it is not for some people especially if it becomes a chore

loconnor Thu 30-Apr-20 00:13:49

Absolutely vital. We are by nature social creatures and as online virtual relationships become the norm, selected by shared interests, it becomes more important to mix with people with different views and experiences. With more and more people living alone or far from their family, a sense of belonging and worth can be maintained with an extended family of neighbours and others in the community

wifey2003 Thu 30-Apr-20 11:01:45

It is essential to for everyone to feel valued and the community we live in should have no barriers to make people feel not worthy ....

bradybunch Thu 30-Apr-20 11:13:18

In these very uncertain times it is vitally important for all
of us to look out for each other.

helenct Thu 30-Apr-20 12:01:36

As we lead such diverse lives which often mean family is spread all over the country and even abroad it is incredibly important for all ages in the community to feel connected.

junebabyjen Thu 30-Apr-20 12:26:26

definitely. everyone all ages need to feel this sense of community. so one does not feel alone or that they are only part of their family and not a wider community

Sgilley Thu 30-Apr-20 12:49:06

It is important to have close bonds between the generations. The young keep the older generation up to date and the older generation can listen and give advice from their life experiences.

elbowlicker Thu 30-Apr-20 15:10:56

It's important for every age to have connections with their community. Nurturing this from a young age will help develop respect and a sense of belonging. If people are involved in their local area they will have better mental health.

HannahLI Thu 30-Apr-20 17:21:24

I think its really important from the youngest to the oldest. Whilst we have been on lockdown we have seen the impact of being community connected and the benefits it can have when my children support the older residents that live locally

Monica53 Thu 30-Apr-20 19:36:05

It is very important for all ages to feel part of a community. When I was young, I would babysit for babies and children and then I would go and get library books for the elderly people who lived near me.