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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?

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Mopsx4 Sat 02-May-20 11:45:35

It is very important. We all need to work together to make the community a better place. Everyone has different skills so most problems can be sorted in the community and keep it alive and working for everyone.

franjo Sat 02-May-20 11:36:32

So many families don’t now live in close proximity to each other so it’s very important local people of all ages consider one another and enrich each other’s lives

Seakay Sat 02-May-20 11:34:33

I think it's important to feel connection to a community, ideally the one in which you live but if not then an online one or one connected to work.
I think that the connection should be organic and natural - not forced. I've notice a lot of people taking great joy in helping people who have been neighbours near or far for years, but who were previously ignored.
My natural cynicism makes me want to see how long these new found connections last after lock down, when previously active people no longer need an excuse to get out of the house and can return to their previous work and social groups.

stamperamper Sat 02-May-20 11:31:48

We all need to feel connected - to have a sense of belonging and in some way needed. Isolation and loneliness can send us down the route of depression and despair. In a community we can support one another, share experiences and life struggles which gives us a deeper sense of belonging. This is the case whatever age we are.

Bobbins Sat 02-May-20 11:23:29

Of course it’s important, nobody should be feeling lonely if they have ways of connecting to family and friends ?

Holidayenthusiast Sat 02-May-20 11:18:05

It is vital for people of all ages feel connected to their community. I hope that all the good support networks put in place in the last weeks are not lost once we return to normal. Much recent research suggests that loneliness kills.

barbarasct Sat 02-May-20 11:11:23

I think the virus has shown how important it is to stay connected and the lockdown has made everyone find new ways to stay in touch and has brought out the community spirit in neighbourhoods.

OneJollyTeacher Sat 02-May-20 11:06:06

I think, now more than ever before it's really important for people of all ages to feel connected to their community. My parents are lucky to have their 3 grown up kids living in the same city, but I know it's not like that for everyone. I remember one of my elderly relatives lived 100's of miles away from us with her disabled son well into her 90's and, being practically housebound with him, sometimes felt very isolated. People definitely need the support of their local community as well as family, wherever possible.

Maudy Sat 02-May-20 10:58:21

It is very important to be connected to others. Family, friends and your local community. If you have no connections then I'd imagine you'd be very isolated.

NaughtyNanna Sat 02-May-20 10:54:38

Being alone can be fine for lots of people. Being lonely and feeling disconnected is quite different and very damaging to our emotional wellbeing. "Community" can mean many different things as there are local, physically connected communities and "communities of interest" such as online interest groups or group meetings - U3A and university societies spring to mind, and are known to often result in lifelong friendships and connections. When these connections fail or fade away, loneliness and disconnectedness can creep in.

pit56 Sat 02-May-20 10:49:26

It's very important. But until the coronavirus came along my wife and I didn't feel part of 'our' community, even though we're sociable types who have lived here, in a village, for over ten years. It took a crisis to bring people together – young and old – and to make it clear that we all have much more in common than any of us realised.

teepee55 Sat 02-May-20 10:46:20

It is vitally important for people of all ages to feel connected to their community. We should all be kind and caring to young and old alike, non-judgemental, non-confrontational, we can all offer something of value across the generations. We are all basically the same inside, age does not determine who we are. Empathy and understanding helps people with their difficulties. Xx

joysutty Sat 02-May-20 10:39:13

For any age it is important. Where you made and build up your friends through going to school and friends you make once you have retired through church or the Womens Institute in your local town.

cookiemonster66 Sat 02-May-20 10:28:42

I think these current times have shown us the importance of community. Humans are pack animals after all. We all need to look after each other, and often we need to rely on each other. Having a sense of community leads to a feeling of belonging, less isolation, community spirit.

wallers5 Sat 02-May-20 10:27:18

It’s particularly important especially for the elderly & those living alone. Some villages are outstanding but it’s harder in housing estates.

AliBeeee Sat 02-May-20 10:27:01

Feeling connected is a core human requirement. In these days of electronic connection when we can be instantly connected to friends and family all over the world, it’s interesting to note that this doesn’t make up for the simple human requirement of a few words face to face with a neighbour, a stranger, or a shop assistant. We all need some direct human connection to avoid feeling lost and adrift.

gillgran Sat 02-May-20 10:24:41

Oh yes, it's really important to be able to be in touch, especially now, during these worrying days/weeks/months of the global pandemic. I'm 74 & at home now, so to be in contact with family & friends is vital for our wellbeing.

kayewillan Sat 02-May-20 10:22:53

Gosh Of course Everyone at Every Age needs Someone. We are Social Beings who need stimulation and a sense of belong
Our Neighbours become our friends and we must reach out

Hameringham Sat 02-May-20 10:21:30

People need people. Communication is the key to making intolerable situations tolerable. A simple smile can help make a difficult day seem bearable. Offer a smile and the returned smile can make a difficult day seem more bearable.

marpau Sat 02-May-20 10:09:46

I was concerned when we moved to a small town a few years ago and didn't know anyone. From day one we have been welcomed and feel connected to all age groups. This was very important in helping us settle in New surroundings. Children are taught to respect elders and regularly arrange afternoon tea with entertainment at the local school and visit card homes to sing and chat to residents.

grandmaz Sat 02-May-20 10:07:48

Community and being a part of it is important as it gives each of us a chance to give and receive and abundance of 'gifts' ...friendship, support, kindness, a shoulder to cry on, shared joys and sorrows as well as a feeling of truly 'belonging' somewhere. It creates a huge family of people to whom we aren't necessarily related!

Bobdoesit Sat 02-May-20 10:04:27

I remember several years ago moving into a small village where I didn’t know anyone. I had left behind friends a place with a good community feeling, lots going on and always someone to offer a helping hand. Once we were settled in the new house my husband went back to work and my son went off to school. I sat in the kitchen and sobbed. I felt lost and alone and longed to go back to ‘my’ community. At that precise moment there was a knock on the door it was an elderly lady who had taken the trouble to come along and say hello. That evening a young boy about the age of my son knocked and said Mrs So and So (my visitor from the morning) had sent him, he and my son (both now in their forties) are still the best of friends. The elderly lady sadly passed away about a year later. I went to her funeral with many friends who I met through her. One moment of kindness was all it took for me to feel part of that community. I’ve never forgotten it and now I always say hello to new neighbours and let them know I’m there if they need me.

Rozzy Sat 02-May-20 10:03:01

Very important, too easy for older people to feel irrelevant and youngsters to feel unimportant if we don't respect & look out for each other.

revstuart Sat 02-May-20 09:52:12

It’s important. We are social beings who need to give, receive and belong.

Coco51 Sat 02-May-20 09:51:16

A kind and caring community can fulfil all kinds of need, emotional and physical, when we all come together no-one need struggle by themselves. However small, every contribution will help someone