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I think it is very important for people of all ages to feel connected to their community. Now families do not all live close to each other and some young people only see their grandparents on Skype, by connecting with older people in their community we can all learn a lot and help each other. We all have an important and useful role to play in this world.

Social isolation is a killer. Its a documented medical fact. So staying connected is about increasing and enjoying the connections we have as human beings in nature....ie. your garden, your visiting wildlife, your pets. Its important to stay in contact with your family and friends through phone calls, letter, and online.

I think it's very important, everyone has a part to play and we are all important. More so now then ever, we all need to support each other and check on our neighbours.

People of very age in society have
something different to offer and also different needs. Having all ages involved in their community means everyone benefits.

Important and online support is very useful

It’s a useful skill to learn to be self sufficient and to cope with being solitary, as we are learning. But as we realise this we know we need our local community for physical, mental and spiritual support, as they need us too. That sense of connection can’t be underestimated.

A sense of community is important in lots of ways.
Generally speaking, we humans are sociable creatures, and feeling that we 'belong' is great for both individuals and society as a whole.

I imagine that young people who feel connected to their community are far less likely to get involved in anti-social behaviour as they grow up, which in turn helps the more elderly to continue to feel happy and secure.

People of all ages must benefit, both mentally and practically, from the sort of contact and support that a good community can provide, especially if there is good, positive intergenerational contact.

Volunteering and helping out at little/big even makes you feel useful, also people knowing they can depend on you if help is needed.

Being surrounded by so many different opinions and cultures broadens your mind and helps you understand other peoples thoughts and ideas, also helps to keep our own minds ticking over.

It’s very important for everyone to feel connected and not alone in their community. We need the comfort of knowing we aren’t alone in the world and if need be reach out for help.

I feel it's important for people to feel part of their community. It especially helps with good mental health.

I think it's very important for people of all ages to feel a part of their community. Where I grew up there was a wonderful community spirit. It made me feel quite safe and cared for as a child, not only by my parents but by neighbours too. We can all support and help each other, everyone has something to offer, and in that way, everyone feels valued.

I feel t is very important for both mental and emotional wellbeing

I never used to mind much until now, feel so isolated as am at home all day alone. I have no family where I live and the only friends I have are at work so I am not seeing them. I am not finding that online communication is the same as seeing people. I need to interact with real life humans. If I had not grown up as an only child and had that training from an early age at being on my own, I think I would be in a very bad place now.

Whatever your age, older, young person, or middle age its always important to have a purpose of where you have come from, then if you have moved, and made friends, the church is a central point of any town, or village, and things going on like the Womens Institute which i joined after i finished working part time and made many new female friends. At this time to keep in touch with both family members and friends by emails, phone calls, and the odd video chat, as my brother married an Austrian and has wife and 2 young children, but unfortunately 4 weeks ago he couldnt get back home from the UK and is staying with some old friends, its a terrible strain on him as Austria is a country on lockdown, no-one in, no one out policy and he lives there but works in the theatre industry and tours the uk and abroad mostly for 9 months of the year.

I would say it's vital. This situation has shown us just how much we depend on each other, not to mention the wider community. Even hermits must realise that some social interaction can be life saving.

It's crucial for people of all ages because, by coming together for the good of everyone, the community will be respected and appreciated more. You learn about the struggles some neighbours have and ways to help each other, for example 1 house may not have a hedge trimmer but someone else can lend them one. Communities ham raise money for communal gardens and for planters at the side of the road, along with litter picking, etc. Once you are involved with the community, you have so much more pride in it I find. It's also great for mental health, especially at times like those we are experiencing now.

It is important to feel connected and at present this can be done by simple greetings or a wave in the street. You could also offer help with shopping etc to more vulnerable neighbours. When all this is over then by getting involved in your community by volunteering for one of the many opportunities available you will continue to feel connected.

I usually say a cheery hello or have a passing few words with one of the neighbours on end of a row but have seen nothing of he& his wife& child since this started! And anyone passing on our little path (its a walkway at ends of gardens to reach other houses) has head down rushing past if they venture out.The coronavirus has distaned us in more ways than one.

Yes Mazgoli,when i was a child,we all played together in neighbourhood,and went from house to house,had big bonfires etc,went carol singing,trick or treating all together,(in uk) and all felt safe.

I believe that as a general rule people who feel connected to the community they live in, value it more, care for it more and care for those around them. Clubs and social gatherings involve people and help make a community. I hope this will be more valued when this pandemic is over.

But this Virus has brought people together who never see each other as a rule. The weekly applause for those working in vulnerable positions has brought people out onto the street who would never usually see one another. It’s bringing families together and communities together. Hopefully this is the good bit which will continue.

I think John Donne puts it better than I ever could:

No man is an island,
entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent,
a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less,
as well as if a promontory were.
as well as if a manor of thy friend’s
or of thine own were.
Any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind;
and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
it tolls for thee.

That's it.

I think it is very important to feel connected to the community, but unfortunately it is not so common these days. However, with the pandemic it does seem to be bringing people closer and seem to be looking out for each other more which is great!

Your family shows how much they love you by immediately locking us down, and making sure we have all we need. Then friends email and ask if we need a shop, take our dog for a walk, we may not have felt that we knew our neighbours too well, but now we do, as they wave and offer assistance in any way they can. We will get through this if we all stand together.

I feel it depends on each individual and their personality as to how important it is.

Very important...for many reasons which have been mentioned throughout the thread.

Connection is the soul of wellbeing.