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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?

You must be a registered Gransnet user to enter. Sign up to Gransnet HERE if you haven't done so already.

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Mitchypop Sun 19-Apr-20 16:49:56

Humans need connection in order to survive. I have learned this so much after moving to the U.K. from Canada. As I am still getting to know people, my connections back home keep me stable. Now with this pandemic, social media has been the main link to everyone in my life both in the U.K. and Canada.

kitschnkarma Sun 19-Apr-20 16:53:47

Its vital we all feel connected but in a way that suits each person. Some are quite happy to be alone and there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. My husband loves chatting with people whilst i am quite content to be more introverted and family focused. This situation has brought out the best in so many people which we hope will continue afterwards

cillastubbs Sun 19-Apr-20 17:49:20

It is important for everyone to keep in touch, particularly with the elderly and vulnerable. Loneliness is so sad. I hope that the community spirit that is prevalent at the moment continues after the lockdown.

jeapurs54 Sun 19-Apr-20 18:34:51

Through difficult times such as what is happening at present we need Family and Friends no matter how close or far we all need to keep in touch feel close and make a difference. We all need that friendly word. A brief hello are you okay? Do you need anything. It all counts to being there for someone.

Meggymoos Sun 19-Apr-20 18:39:17

It’s so important for people to feel part of their community. Mostly from a mental well-being point of view, but also feeling they belong. There’s many lonely people in this world, young and old, who need a kind word, or gesture of solidarity. It’s what society should be all about.

WoodLane7 Sun 19-Apr-20 18:41:49

It is vital for people to be connected, and I think the current situation has highlighted more than ever the importance in terms of wellbeing and mental health

nelly2 Sun 19-Apr-20 18:46:43

With a sense of Community one finds people of all ages ready and willing to help / assist their neighbours.
Anarchy results from people feeling outside the community as illustrated in the many murders in London in recent years.

Mags17 Sun 19-Apr-20 19:33:14

I have found since this crisis started we have seen more people out on our daily walks with a friendly hello. All our street have been out to Clap For The NHS with older people and families with children banging pan lids. We have a thriving WI and we have been ringing all 38 members weekly seeing how they are and if they need anything. I think this has brought the community together and I hope this continues afterwards.

Jellybeetles Sun 19-Apr-20 20:11:11

It is so important to feel part of a community whatever age you are. You won’t feel isolated, you can do each other favours, you can help out if someone goes through a really bad time. I work full-time and I can actually go for many days without seeing any of my neighbours but I know we’d be there for each other if we needed help.

Jilly1967 Sun 19-Apr-20 21:28:55

Extremely important as we live, work and socialize in communities of all shapes and sizes and being part of any community is a natural state

scooter Mon 20-Apr-20 00:08:55

So important for people to feel that they are still part of something and matter to others, especially during this lock down period. The community young and old play an important part in this, even if it's just a friendly wave or smile through the window you're walking past.

honeymoon Mon 20-Apr-20 00:19:20

Relationships are what matter most to us all in the end. Everyday social connections matter too because we know many people in later life especially can feel isolated, without a sense of belonging to their community.

linby Mon 20-Apr-20 11:36:10

I think it's so important - all ages have something to learn from one another. Whether it is older people learning tik tok from the young or the younger generation learning what people cooked when rationing was on!

Grampy Mon 20-Apr-20 11:46:21

I feel it is most important for people of ALL ages to engage with their community, especially youngsters who, we see, are assisting the elderly, who need help in these unprecedented times.

Grannygold Mon 20-Apr-20 11:48:57

In these troubled times, and when so many of us have families in different parts of the country and all over the world, it is even more important for all ages to feel part of the community. We have no family locally; my son lives in Switzerland and we don't know when we will see our little grandson again. We are so grateful for the help we have received from people locally while self isolating.

Mtc59 Mon 20-Apr-20 12:01:27

Community connections are vital to the very existence of human beings. We are not meant to live in isolation from others. Through contact with others we laugh,learn, be challenged, grow whether through positive or not so positive experience, learn to love, learn the benefits of tolerance and understanding. Without connections we are flowers in a desert.

Beachbelle21 Mon 20-Apr-20 12:41:44

Very important if you’ve got internet access keep in touch with family and friends ,makes you feel good when you talk with others via face time etc :

MichStew Mon 20-Apr-20 12:41:49

Keeping in touch is important and I think the natural British reserve does not help in that respect. That said, when people do interact with and care for one another the outcome is generally mutually beneficial, even if one is seen as giving and the other receiving some sort of benefit. I think the pandemic crisis will have been useful in encouraging people to feel more connected but, paradoxically, they are currently less able to do so!

Bethshaw Mon 20-Apr-20 12:51:35

It is very important. We shoul all be looking out for each other at the moment

Winterman4 Mon 20-Apr-20 13:21:40

Extremely important.

Alice162 Mon 20-Apr-20 13:28:50

It’s very important as without your community it’s very easy to become isolated especially during this terrible health crisis

theresacoo Mon 20-Apr-20 13:29:56

all ages as we are all people - we have the need for connection and friendship. now more than ever.

Every Thursday when we clap to the NHS, we feel connected our communities and it lifts our spirits. I have noticed that my mood lowers with less contact I have with people.

Keffie12 Mon 20-Apr-20 13:40:37

Connection and communication makes a better world. This is why in poor countries you will find the connection in poor communities is so much stronger than in the west.

I can testify to this from a friend who did some missionary work out in Aftica. The impact the work had on him was massive.

He reported that they had nothing, yet were so willing to share everything with them and that community, spirituality and love shone through them.

He said when they left they left them with clothes, stationary and pretty much everything they had bought with them. They were so grateful and full of joy. It was completely overwhelming. It took him weeks to get used to normal life here in the U.K, again. The experience changed him

We are seeing alot of the community sense coming out during this pandemic! I pray that it will endure and not revert to normal once we we are allowed back out into the world

It feels like the universe has sent us to our rooms to think about what we have done. I am just so full of gratitude this has happened at a time with the technology we have to still interact.

I don't believe the world will go back to how it was before Covid19. That can only be for the better

Life is about communication, connection, pure love and care. Not this rat race we live in.

The universe is out master. We aren't. I hope now we will continue on the path the majority of us are on and not revert

minxie Mon 20-Apr-20 14:03:14

In years to come, we may look back at this and say it was a pivotal time in history, when we changed our ways or living. working from home. helping the environment, looking out for each other, and we really have been looking out for each other. Panic buying selfishness put aside. Feeling that strangers care for your well being within the community is vital. Many a suicide has happened due to people feeling uncared for.
We bemoan social media, but we are all very grateful for it at present

sandracl Mon 20-Apr-20 14:03:20

I think from an early age youngsters should connect with the community so that we can all interact with one another as we go through life and be there for each other.