JOINING IN COMMUNITY When people feel disconnected from family and friends, they are less likely to access community spaces, such as libraries or community centres, or to join community organizations, such as sports clubs or cultural groups.
When people are physically isolated from close friends and family, it can be compounded with isolation from the broader community. Only 28% of people with few close family or friends participate in community groups like professional associations, sports organizations, cultural groups or political groups. This is less than half of the 64% of people with many close family or friends who participate in community groups. Overall, people with few close family and friends are also less likely to volunteer. Only 15% of community members with few close family or friends have volunteered in the past 12 months. This is almost three times higher among community members with very many close family or friends, where 43% have volunteered. People with fewer friends and family are less likely to be part of a community group or to volunteer. These people with fewer family and friends are also less likely to trust their neighbours.
LOCAL VITAL SIGNS REFLECTIONS In a 2022 Vital Signs report, the Victoria Foundation asked community members, ‘What does community mean to you?’ The most common responses centred on being connected with friends and family. Networks of friends and family are at the heart of the community. Read their full Vital Signs report.
24
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker