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PRINTEverybody needs good neighbours
Immediate Release: 7 April 2010
Community spirit is alive and kicking with new research revealing that the majority of people are friends with their neighbours.
Community spirit is alive and kicking with new research revealing that the majority of people are friends with their neighbours.
It seems that the attitude of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ is now passé and instead people are turning to those next door when they are in need of a little helping hand.
Research by the poverty charity Elizabeth Finn Care has revealed that 72% of people agree that they have good relationships with their neighbours. And many do much more than just wave over the garden fence.
Some 91% of people know at least some of their neighbours’ first names and 53% would be more likely to turn to their neighbour if they had a problem, such as their car breaking down or if they needed a lift to the doctors.
Ex-Coronation Street actor Ken Morley, who played one of the street’s favourite characters Reg Holdsworth, said: “Britain is often described as a broken society, so I’m thoroughly encouraged to see the results of Elizabeth Finn Care’s study, especially the way in which people feel they can rely on their neighbours to help them with a problem or when they are upset.
“I have had my fair share of friendly neighbours and believe that everyone should make the effort to speak to the local residents in their areas - particularly those who are elderly or disabled and struggle to get out their homes. Your friendly words may be the only contact they have with other people. Remember it could be you who is looking for that support in the future.”
The research, carried out by YouGov, reveals that the over 55s have better relationships with their neighbours.
Some 84% said they have a good relationship with their neighbours and 65% said they would be likely to turn to a neighbour if they had a problem.
Plus 61% of over 55s said they have listened to a neighbour when they were upset and 49% have shopped for a neighbour.
In comparison only 22% of 18-24-year-olds have listened to a neighbour in distress and only 11% have carried out some shopping on their behalf.
Also how close people are to their neighbours varies throughout the UK.
The research reveals that 21% of people in the East of England have cooked for their neighbours, compared to only 12% in Yorkshire and Humber. Plus 29% of people in Scotland have done a spot of gardening for a neighbour compared to only 14% in London.
Bryan Clover, Head of Casework at Elizabeth Finn Care, said: “Building good relationships with your neighbours can be really beneficial to your wellbeing and happiness.
“Elizabeth Finn Care exists to help people who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own and for these people in particular having good neighbours is essential. Whether it is having someone to chat to on a daily basis or knowing there is someone next door who you can call on in a crisis can be a real comfort and I would urge everyone to befriend their neighbours.”
Research by the poverty charity Elizabeth Finn Care has revealed that 72% of people agree that they have good relationships with their neighbours. And many do much more than just wave over the garden fence.
Some 91% of people know at least some of their neighbours’ first names and 53% would be more likely to turn to their neighbour if they had a problem, such as their car breaking down or if they needed a lift to the doctors.
Ex-Coronation Street actor Ken Morley, who played one of the street’s favourite characters Reg Holdsworth, said: “Britain is often described as a broken society, so I’m thoroughly encouraged to see the results of Elizabeth Finn Care’s study, especially the way in which people feel they can rely on their neighbours to help them with a problem or when they are upset.
“I have had my fair share of friendly neighbours and believe that everyone should make the effort to speak to the local residents in their areas - particularly those who are elderly or disabled and struggle to get out their homes. Your friendly words may be the only contact they have with other people. Remember it could be you who is looking for that support in the future.”
The research, carried out by YouGov, reveals that the over 55s have better relationships with their neighbours.
Some 84% said they have a good relationship with their neighbours and 65% said they would be likely to turn to a neighbour if they had a problem.
Plus 61% of over 55s said they have listened to a neighbour when they were upset and 49% have shopped for a neighbour.
In comparison only 22% of 18-24-year-olds have listened to a neighbour in distress and only 11% have carried out some shopping on their behalf.
Also how close people are to their neighbours varies throughout the UK.
The research reveals that 21% of people in the East of England have cooked for their neighbours, compared to only 12% in Yorkshire and Humber. Plus 29% of people in Scotland have done a spot of gardening for a neighbour compared to only 14% in London.
Bryan Clover, Head of Casework at Elizabeth Finn Care, said: “Building good relationships with your neighbours can be really beneficial to your wellbeing and happiness.
“Elizabeth Finn Care exists to help people who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own and for these people in particular having good neighbours is essential. Whether it is having someone to chat to on a daily basis or knowing there is someone next door who you can call on in a crisis can be a real comfort and I would urge everyone to befriend their neighbours.”