I was invited to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour on Friday 18 June for a live discussion about the subject of Good Neighbours. The BBC had already recorded interviews with some residents at Haughton Green – Anne Saxon, Phil Green, Carol Bruder - and Fran Garlick, whose late husband received a most deserved tribute at this year’s TPAS Connecting People Awards Ceremony for his work as a Resident Champion.
Apparently a recent survey suggests that the recession has resulted in a move back towards valuing neighbours.
In terms of neighbourly deeds, Mancunians scored the highest in all categories: borrowing something from a neighbour (44%), asking for help in an emergency (43%), leaving a set of keys with their neighbour (49%), asking someone to keep an eye on their house (67%), signing for a package (72%), dining with their neighbours (40%), popping round for coffee (44%), introducing themselves when moving in (35%) and sending a Christmas card (82%).
But just when you’re digesting the outcomes of that survey, another one – YouGov - comes along that finds neighbourliness is on the way out. We’re lonelier, less neighbourly and have fewer friends than we did in the 1980s.
Good Neighbours are crucial to the health and prosperity of our communities. Our Gold Service acknowledges and rewards the ones who cause no trouble, pay their rent, respect their neighbours and take care of their home – and incentivises those who don’t want to change their behaviour.
I’d be interested to hear what you think. Are we really no longer such good neighbours as the YouGov poll suggested?
Post your comments to Tom using the form below. Look forward to hearing from you.
