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

Very important - things get done faster when the community
work together, we learn from each other and it helps people's mental health not to feel isolated.

Very important, "no man is an island", etc. I'm not always a Fc'bk, other social media fan but I do think in these days of isolation and social distancing that they have helped people to stay connected. The Fc'bk self help groups that have started up show the good face of humanity, I truly hope this type of bond and community spirit continues after we're on the other side of this situation. No matter where you live, a big city or out in a rural area, it's all too easy to become insular, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and even depression. Hopefully, after our lives have returned to "normality", people will continue to interact, especially in real life.

It's extremely important , as everyone is clearly saying above

I have got more connected recently with more people being home. I regularly walk a neighbours dog and it's interesting to see so many various people just exercising, jogging, walking dogs, gardening, and cyclists it's a great walk when although keeping a distance can still say a friendly good morning or hello.

I think it's very important, many years ago we moved house to live in the north, and having a baby I got to know as many of our neighbours as I could. I went to every mum and toddler group going in the small town, I went to sing-a-longs in the local library, went to the mums group at the chapel and participated in whatever brownies and guiding events too place, and joined in with the WI etc. I enjoyed it immensely and, although, a distance from my home town, I felt part of the area.

It all changed when we moved a long distance away south to the coast and found the people less friendly. I think even if you lived there for 20 yrs you would never really fit in. Community is all about making newcomers welcome and not feeling like they have no place there, no incomers allowed. Or as one of my elderly neighbours told me back then, we don't like new people we don't know what they're like!! I never got to know either him or his wife in all the years we lived there.

I think it’s extremely important for all ages. We all need to feel connected with the community regardless of our age.

Age is just a number society pins on you so you're as young or old as you choose to be. Being part of a friendly community is great for the mental health of everyone and we can all make a worthwhile contribution large or small...!

Your community is your snapshot of life outside your front door. If you are not involved in that community in some way it can become a downward spiral of insular life when you become more and more isolated and prone to depression. It's vital whatever your age or circumstances to have some stake in your community.

It is very important for a community to be brought together throughout the year with different events and activities that will cover all the ages from young to the old. This is so that we all can feel connected and cared for and any problems arising can be shared with others!! This time is prove what a great connection we can have.

It is important for everyone to feel connected to their community because it gives meaning to life to part of something greater than yourself. We are not just atoms floating in the ether but part of families, streets, towns and villages. At times like this we need each other to make it through the day. Both older and young need a friendly chat or may need shopping collected.

I suppose it is important, although I dont feel connected to mine and I've been this way for so long I dont feel the need to change now. Maybe in the next life... I don't really feel that connected to anything, or anyone, I'm an antisocial bugger really. I help people where I can, but dont accept help unless its offered - I never ask.

Community is always important, but in the strange and extraordinary times we find ourselves, its value is magnified.
The smiles and nods as we dance in 2 metre spaces when we pass each other. Hastily written postcards to assure neighbours both known, and unknown, that someone somewhere cares.
Reaching out, however we can, into a unknown void, shatters the space and silence between us.
Simply magical.

Feeling connected with others, friends and family, is so important for wellbeing, not feeling isolated. Online tools and communities are helping so much with this. But also, just picking up the phone. Short messages, sharing some fun video clip, all help. Works for me.

It is important for good mental health and well being. We are social creatures and are happy when we feel connected to others.

I think it is vital and the current situation demonstrates that all age groups are now more likely to consider how they can support the larger community.

It's very important for people's health, happiness and mental health to feel part of a community. It helps to dispel loneliness and completes the need to belong. We can all create a better world by working together and sharing knowledge , showing kindness and consideration.

Communities are vital - no one should feel isolated and alone

Even more important now with lockdown than ever before. Something good had come from something terrible, people are focusing on others rather than just themselves.

Paramount. I’m caring for my elderly father who lives alone, my husband and two teenagers. I see how much they rely on friends, neighbours, family and every aspect of community life. We take these most simple levels of connections for granted. Without these connections I’ve seen loneliness, frustration, sadness, confusion, depression and upset over recent weeks. Never again to be taken for granted but appreciated.

It is so important for staying in touch with family as well as keeping up to date with news and information about work, news and the local community, particularly at such a challenging time

I suppose one of the good things to come out of the lockdown is a growing sense of community across all ages - just a few stragglers we need to get caught up.

It's vitally important to feel connected to everyone in your community, from the miserable woman with two dogs who treated me like a leper because I dared to walk without one, to the lovely people who've been sharing the 'free book library' I started in our nearest bus shelter. When I saw the 'Thank You' Rainbow poster pinned inside, I cried. Missing seeing my family of course, but so grateful for the technology which allows us all to keep in touch.

It’s more important than ever to keep in touch, with friends, family and our neighbours. I hope we all continue to care for everyone around us when these uncertain times are over

In the current covid climate more important than ever - the older community members need the younger ones to help them through this time. I have spoken to more people who live in our lane than in 7 years of living here, exchanged numbers, seen kindness from virtual strangers. It's lovely to see our community coming together!

It is very important that people feel connected as a community to ensure we work together to combat loneliness and give people somewhere/someone to come to with problems. Children without grandparents and vice versa can enjoy each others company and experiences and learn from each other. We can share and exchange skills and help people feel valued through sharing and volunteering.