Crisis has sparked community spirit and army of volunteers
THE coronavirus crisis has brought communities together and created a new army of volunteers, research published last night has suggested.
A survey of nearly 160,000 people indicated that society has pulled together during the pandemic.
Stronger connections within neighbourhoods, along with millions of new volunteers keen to carry on working, could improve social connection once the nation emerges from the crisis, according to the research.
Most respondents said people in their area have become closer, kinder and better connected. The majority of people have got to know their neighbours better, while millions have volunteered for the first time, the report said.
The Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, who chaired trustees of the group behind the report, said: “Despite the immense challenges
of this pandemic, people have responded by pulling together, not apart. That is quite remarkable, given how divided our society looked as Britain entered 2020.
“Faced with this adversity, we could have become more divided and looked for others to blame. Yet this new research finds that people feel a stronger sense of connection to their neighbours and community.
“There are worries, too, about divisions re-emerging in the difficult times to come, but we found a clear public appetite for a society in which we are more connected to each other and the community spirit of 2020 is kept alive.”
Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of Royal Voluntary Service, which was involved in the research, said the data confirms that volunteering “brings people together from all parts of society” and improves relationships.
She said: “It is one of the most pivotal ways to unite us and this is something the Covid-19 pandemic has really taught us. It is wonderful to see that those who have volunteered for the first time during the pandemic would like to carry on doing so.
“There are many benefits to volunteering and evidence it benefits both physical and mental well-being.
“It also provides a sense of purpose and is one of the most rewarding ways we can give back.”