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Although essential it is far from easy to do sometimes. Speaking from experience, when moving to a new home, meeting the neightbours is not particularly easy when most people are working, or the other extreme in todays situation on lock down. If you are ill in any way it is not physically so easy to go and chat to the neighbours.This leads to isolation and in some cases depression. However I feel that it is not only in our own neighbourhood where we can meet people, lots of people belong to specific activity groups for this reason. At the moment this can be

It is very important to keep in touch, even more so during this pandemic. Loneliness is a terrible thing, and without communities staying connected , the isolation of being alone can be much worse.

It's important for our both our mental and physical health, it can give the older generation a sense of purpose and strengthen friendships

It's important especially with the lockdown, gives comfort & company to all, as well as keeping us fully up to date with happenings all over the world!

It is very important. Too often elderly people, now on their own, are reduced to watching television, sometimes just for the comfort of hearing another voice.

But they can be useful to younger folk, especially now, as usually have a store of tips for how to make homemade cleaning products, how to cook economically and make food stretch out longer, recipes for economically made chutneys etc and reminiscences of interesting past events. They love to pass on this knowledge, which makes them feel needed - so visit them and and learn from them.

The happiest times of my life have been when I have been in a strong community.
Early on in life it's so easy, with natural communities such as education, then work and sometimes parenthood .
But sometimes life experiences may disrupt one's life. Then if there is no community, you feel it.
I don't always look backwards, but the days of open doors are highly appealing.
Maybe out of evil comes forth goodness, ( a Samson misquote?), in these strange times.
Long live the new communities, personal and viral !!

It is very important that everyone feels part of their community whatever their age because we all respond well to a sense of belonging especially when times are strange and uncertain! Knowing that some things are still as they were and that we can look out of the window and see someone we recognise is a real comfort!

How important? It is vital. A community is like an extended family; it may be your only family. Age is irrelevant, just as it is in a nuclear family.

Being isolated can have such a detrimental effect on your mental health that can manifest as physical ailments. Staying connected heps you feel you have a place in society

Absolutely. They have so much to offer to each other,

Its very important to feel part of something and not alone, depression can take over quickly if you feel you have no one, covid 19 is bringing people together again...its the only plus we can take out of this awlful virus

its really important for a persons mental health because daily contact with people helps us feel included ,i care for disabled and vulnerable people and if they didnt have contact with others they would feel very isolated and at risk from abuse

A community is just that. A miscellaneous group of people each bringing their own strengths, each helping and giving in their own way and making a whole balanced entity. It takes all sorts, ages and abilities to make a thriving community.

My husband is 82 & our youngest grandchild is 4 months old. It is great how the 3 generations get along so well.

Very important

I've always been connected with my near neighbours and as neighbourhood watch coordinator I regularly contact a wider number of neighbours, but the current lock-down has raised awareness of supporting one another. I was grateful to a neighbour I hardly knew who got me some milk while I was self isolating and I've finally had conversations with one set of neighbours while outside clapping that I'd never really spoken to despite living near them for over 16 years! I hope after this crisis is over we'll all become better neighbours and more caring in general.

VERY - community means all ages, not just an elite

It's very important to be connected; that's why we join W.I.s., the U3A, PROBUS and all the other societies and groups we have an interest in, with a special mention for being part of a Church congregation - all of whom have been in touch over recent weeks

Very important. No man is an island and we need friends and family

People just function better in a community. It is great to come together and look out for each other, even if it is at a safe distance during this pandemic.
It would be so much more frightening just now if we were left on our own, lost and isolated.

I think we need to feel more connected at the moment, especially as we can’t see our loved ones

It’s vitally important to stay connected for mental health and emotional wellbeing. Now more than ever young and old need to connect to avoid feeling isolated and lonely in their own homes. Having a virtual community around me is certainly helping me to stay positive and feel loved.

It's nice just to have a chat with neighbours, say hello when walking past (or distancing at the moment!)

We are fortunate to live in a well connected community and we all benefit. The old know how to grow vegetables and flowers and the young can help with the gardening. Granny gets teaching cooking and the little ones help with the washing up. These are just simple things, we come into our own with the scarecrow festival working together. Folk from far and wide travel to enjoy our joint displays, just as it should be.

I didn’t realise how important my community is to me until all our lives were changed by Covid 19. I’m so happy that people in my area have shown how caring and kind they are. All age groups are coming together to help each other and this has made me count my blessings at this difficult time.