COVID forced people to talk to their neighbours just because they desperately wanted to talk to somebody!

When I grew up we knew all our neighbours - that was just how life was. Today, particularly in bigger cities, people have no idea who lives next door to them. People are so busy.

Peter & Susan

Illustration by Carol Green

We got really lucky with our neighbours - they’re a lovely couple. We have a lot in common and we just clicked from day one. It has to happen naturally - you can’t force it. We have other neighbours we’ve known for years but I guess we just socialise differently.

We’re kind of like their parents really, so grandparents to their little boys as we don’t have any grandchildren of our own. We actually had a similar relationship when our kids were small but then we were the younger ones.

Lots of people were checking on their neighbours, helping them with shopping, that sort of thing.

I liked seeing all the families - people you’d never normally see walking. People were sitting at their letterbox with 2m distance drinking their glass of wine and talking. They still do it today.

People are busy, life’s pace is frantic. When we locked down lots of people liked the fact that that franticness was taken away but we get on that merry-go-round again so quickly.

Sometimes the small things really matter. I just want people to be kind and mindful and put themselves in each others’ shoes.

Reflections:

- COVID19 has provided opportunities for connection which break through the awkwardness many people feel reaching out. Picking up shopping, putting teddy bears in windows etc. enables risk-free connection - Relationships between individuals at any age comes down to the basics: shared values, interests and real human connection.

- Modern life creates barriers to connection which permeate all areas of our lives. Some of these were paused during lockdown: people had time and were active and visible in their neighbourhoods as well as having shared experiences and a stronger sense of community.

What questions does this raise for our approach to pandemics?

- How might we support and amplify all the great connection initiatives going on between neighbours across the country?

What questions does this raise for a more connected future?

- How might we sustain the desire, confidence and space to reach out and connect as we move away from lockdowns and life gets closer to its normal pace?

- There seems to be a natural desire for older people and new parents to connect. What is the opportunity for mutual support between these groups?

- What opportunities, spaces and places exist for older and younger people to connect organically in an unforced, unmanaged way?