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If people are not connected to a community thats when you start seeing society breakdown

I think its very important esspecially in the current crisis to feel a connection to your community. Its far too easy to feel isolated and just saying a few words to your neighbours can make all the difference. Humans are social creatures we do better together.

Very much. We’ve lived in our house for eight years but only now starting to feel part of the community. This is due to our lovely neighbours and a recent WhatsAp group. The NHS clapping has helped too.

It is important for everyone of all ages to feel connected to their community. Make an effort to know your neighbours and help those in need at the moment. Encourage the youngsters to help the older generation, benefits to them both.

To feel you belong and are wanted, needed and loved and can give the same back to others too.

Vitally important. Research shows that lonliness is as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes per day

Recent events have shown that regardless of age or backgrounds people are all pulling together to support the more vulnerable within the community. We seem to have gone back to a bygone era. Hopefully when things go back to 'normal' the community spirit will remain.

It is very important. People of all ages benefit from human contact and engaging with others. Whether we are old, young or middle aged we all need to know someone is there.

Community means all ages

Staying connected is a vital key to fulfillment; the current situation whereby so many are unavoidably isolated has shown how important it is for all age groups to remain in touch by some means, and to be part of a caring community.

It is absolutely vital - the degree of involvement may vary (sometimes according to preference, often according to health and situation), but we all need connections, and tend to become socially inept and possibly depressed when they are removed due to personal illness, financial problems or the current situation.

It’s very important. Now even more than ever. Any person, no matter their age or background, can feel lonely or have health issues. It is so good to communicate and keep lines open.

we all need to be part of something - it's one of our basic needs. The current situation has been a wake up call for many and too often people isolate themselves without being aware, too busy with work and needing to relax when they come home.
I guess we all know how important it is to be in a community otherwise we would not gave joined the gransnet community!

Society is the glue which holds us together. During this pandemic there has been proof that it does still exist, as people have supported one another. Hopefully this will carry on after all this horror is over.Let's hope so.

everyone should feel they are important regardless of age ,

At times like these you appreciate your neighbours more and a camaraderie develops when everyone is looking out for each other, instead of rushing about, having no time for anything except your own little world.

It is more important than ever to keep in touch with not only our family and friends, but also our neighbours. I hope that when these strange times are over that we continue to forge relationships and care for each other.

Its very important for peoples mental health to feel connected and part of a community especially for people who live alone and may not have family

As others have already said, one of the good things to come out of the current crisis is the way people have come together to support and help each other, either informally with small acts of kindness or more formally through organisations and voluntary opportunities. It's been truly heartwarming and I so want to hope that it will survive.

We all need to feel we belong that we are not invisible in this modern world, so often disconnected rather than connected by modern technology. We have had notes pushed through the door offering help from younger neighbours, a walk gives the opportunity for a smile & wave while keeping our distance, conversations across the road, giving a wide berth to a small happy child cycling along the pavement. A village shop for emergency shopping, so important at this time, these are what make our community.

It has become obvious since the Lockdown that the community is there waiting in the wings so to speak, to swing into action when needed. Having to self isolate from the beginning, I have been contacted by my neighbours (by card) and the local councillor (by leaflet) straight away offering to help in any way they can. My daughters have rallied round to ensure that I need for nothing. It is heartening to feel that you are not alone.
When things are getting back to 'normal' it'll be my turn to payback in any way I can.

its quite important, really depends where you are I suppose, living in a rural area its nice to see people for sure

Of course it is important to take part in and feel part of one's community. But, for many folk, it is only now, as we have to self-isolate, that we realise it. Hopefully, people's awareness of this will continue even afterwards ...

Very important, “It takes a village”.

It is absolutely vital for people of all age groups to mingle, to learn from and help one another. I’ve just been very touched by a special delivery from my little next-door neighbour; a rainbow picture to put in my window