A £1.5 billion road scheme to upgrade the A14 is set to reach completion more than a year ahead of schedule. The delivery team behind Britain’s biggest road project, comprising Balfour Beatty, Costain and Skanska on behalf of Highways England, announced the early opening yesterday, 06 February. Designed to improve
A new study by Draper Tools, the UK’s leading distributor of hand and power tools, has revealed that the average tradespeople have more than double the household repairs and home improvement jobs on their list than the rest of the UK population. The survey of 2,000 people found that those
BLE Lighting & Power Ltd helped to make history by providing Emergency Lighting Power Solutions for the brand new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre located at the Royal United Hospitals site in Bath. Originally opened as Bath General Infirmary in 1738 as a free hospital for the poor, the historic
McLaren has cemented itself as one of the UK’s leading construction companies thanks to another successful financial year. Latest figures from the firm for the financial year ended July 2019 show an 11% turnover increase on year to £650.9 million, delivering an operating profit of £3.6m. This 12-month period has
A new pioneering engineering building is set to bring an array of cutting-edge facilities to the University of Exeter. National firm Morgan Sindall Construction has completed the development and handed it over to the university ahead of its scheduled opening in May 2020. The building will include VSimulators – a
A rock-solid internet connection is increasingly being referred to as ‘the fourth utility’ – as important to a homeowner as water, electricity and gas. Two thirds of adults (64%) say the internet is an ‘essential’ part of their life and the average Brit is online for 24 hours a week.
Landwood Property Auctions is hailing a switch to weekly online auctions as the catalyst for a massive rise in activity in 2019. While the property sector as a whole has struggled against the backdrop of Brexit and a snap general election, Manchester-based Landwood managed to buck the trend. Landwood Property
International Quarter London’s (IQL) landmark building, the Pavilion has agreed a deal for to bring a new world-renowned restaurant to the area. Global restaurant and bar group, D&D London has signed an agreement which will see it launch its latest dining concept within the Pavilion. The Pavilion is currently under
Leading energy, services and regeneration specialist, ENGIE, recently joined partners and donors to celebrate the ‘ground-breaking’ of its Manchester Helipad project, demonstrating the progress of construction works at the site. Funding for the Helipad was raised by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s (MFT) charity, Time Save Lives Appeal, which raised
A new survey has discovered that nearly half of people in the UK feel no sense of belonging in the community where they live. The survey of 1,250 people, conducted by housing experts Laurus Homes, revealed that only 53% of people felt a sense of community with others that lived
A £1.5 billion road scheme to upgrade the A14 is set to reach completion more than a year ahead of schedule. The delivery team behind Britain’s biggest road project, comprising Balfour Beatty, Costain and Skanska on behalf of Highways England, announced the early opening yesterday, 06 February. Designed to improve journeys between the East of England and the Midlands, this key project will see a 21-mile section of the route improved and travelling times cut by up to 20 minutes. “The A14 is a vital route used by 85,000 drivers every day and including more than 21,000 hauliers transporting essential goods around the country,” said Highways England Chief Executive Jim O’Sullivan. “Opening this scheme more than six months early and on budget shows what the UK construction industry can achieve working with Highways England on the Strategic Road Network. I would like to thank them for their focus on our joint success and for their one team approach. “Also, I would like to thank road users, residents and stakeholders for their patience and support during our work. This road is not just a piece of national infrastructure – it brings benefits to the region and local towns and communities too.” Work commenced in November 2016 and, with a previous completion date of Winter 2020, the route is now due to open six months early in Spring 2020. To open the scheme early, the integrated delivery team focused on innovative and sustainable construction methods. With the use of digital asset management and SiteVision – an in-field visualisation software – the team planned and designed complex routes in a safe and efficient way. In line with their commitment to sustainability, the project has also reduced its environmental impact by planting over 900,000 trees, using local materials and recycling excess soil for use on nearby embankments. Julian Lamb, A14 Deputy Project Director for the integrated delivery team, added: “The early opening of the A14 is testament to the collaborative and innovative team working on the project. With a focus on delivering a safe and sustainable road network, our expertise and capabilities have allowed us to deliver this project safely and efficiently, ahead of schedule.”
A new study by Draper Tools, the UK’s leading distributor of hand and power tools, has revealed that the average tradespeople have more than double the household repairs and home improvement jobs on their list than the rest of the UK population. The survey of 2,000 people found that those who worked in a trade such as construction, plumbing or electrics had on average 18 DIY and maintenance jobs currently on their list to do at home. By comparison the average person had just eight. Furthermore, tradespeople will spend an average of five weeks each year on their own home improvements, whereas the rest of the public will spend around three weeks a year getting their DIY jobs done. Draper’s ‘Job Done’ study looked at the nation’s attitudes to some of life’s essential but often put off jobs. From everyday home, garden and car maintenance, right through to DIY and household repairs, the research explored how Britain gets the job done, paying close attention to the nation’s hard-working tradespeople. The research revealed a staggering number of unfinished jobs on UK tradespeople’s to do lists. Among the most common tasks needing to be done were cleaning the car, painting walls, bleeding the radiator and cleaning the patio. Other neglected jobs included checking tyre pressure, building flat pack furniture, hanging a picture frame, weeding and clearing out the shed. It seems hectic lifestyles and busy work schedules are mainly to blame for tradespeople having so many jobs left undone at home, with over a third of trades saying they just never have the time. A quarter of tradespeople said they often made a mental note to fix something around the home but ultimately went on to forget it. While 1 in 5 tradespeople admitted they didn’t have the right tools for the jobs on their list. Clive Richardson, Marketing Director at Draper Tools said: “When you consider that the UK’s tradespeople often spend their working lives coming to the rescue in other people’s homes and sorting out the general public’s DIY dramas, it’s easy to see why they may not always have the energy to take on their own home improvements. And, once the list of jobs start to build up, it understandably becomes overwhelming, even for a seasoned professional. However, with the right tools and some dedication to getting the job done, these tasks don’t have to take over anyone’s life. It can even be very rewarding. More than 85% of the tradespeople we surveyed actually said that nothing beats the satisfaction of a getting a job done – so it can be incredibly worthwhile when you finally tackle those put off jobs.” Despite the number of jobs on their list, tradespeople have a better attitude towards home improvements than the general public, with nearly half of them saying they actually enjoy DIY and repair jobs, compared with just 15% of the general public. Perhaps unsurprisingly, tradespeople also rate their DIY skills highly with almost 90% of them scoring their skills as ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. Meanwhile just over a third of the general public claimed to be this accomplished at household maintenance jobs. However, even the most skilled tradespeople sometimes need to ask for help with their home improvements and when they do, Draper’s Job Done study found that they’ll turn to a mix of both traditional and modern sources. Jointly topping the list of popular resources for help getting a job done were tradespeople’s own dads and YouTube videos. In fact, 93% of tradespeople said their dad was the first person they’d call on for help with repairs, maintenance and DIY jobs. It seems the old adage of ‘If A Job’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Doing Well’ rings true for the UK’s tradespeople too. Almost 90% of them admitted that if they set out to do some DIY, they get the job done right. Draper’s Job Done survey has revealed the most common unfinished household jobs on UK tradespeople’s lists. The top ten jobs on UK trade’s to do lists: Cleaning the car Painting walls Cleaning the patio Hanging a picture frame Bleeding a radiator Replacing a doorknob Painting a door Checking tyre pressure/inflating tyres Organising or clearing out the shed Weeding
BLE Lighting & Power Ltd helped to make history by providing Emergency Lighting Power Solutions for the brand new RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre located at the Royal United Hospitals site in Bath. Originally opened as Bath General Infirmary in 1738 as a free hospital for the poor, the historic building was closed and services gradually moved over to the new facility which, became fully operational in early September 2019. Former patron of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases; HRH The Duchess of Cornwall officially opened the centre on 22 October 2019. She was given a guided tour of the £20m building and introduced to local entrepreneurs Andrew and Christina Brownsword, whose £1m Match Funding Challenge enabled the hospital charity to raise £2m towards the overall cost of the new Centre. Over the years the hospital developed a reputation as a national leader of rheumatology therapies and chronic pain services. They now continue their service with the benefit of a purpose-built facility allowing them to utilise modern amenities including a large hydrotherapy pool, group rooms, a specialist gym, rehabilitation equipment, and a biologics treatment space. The 3-story building utilises a wireless DALI lighting system throughout and BLE’s inverters were requested, in the initial project plan, to provide power to the emergency lighting in the event of a failure, allowing patients, visitors and staff to exit safely should they need to. The key challenge was ensuring BLE’s inverters worked effectively with a non-BLE Lighting system. Other lighting companies may refuse to supply emergency lighting power without also having supplied the emergency lighting fixtures. This is where BLE stands out; its emergency lighting solutions are always offered with the customers specific requirements at the core. BLE took a front facing role working with the consultant to make sure the inverters would cooperate with the pre-identified lighting and DALI system. Although the product had been requested within the initial project, BLE’s partners were unsure of the specifics regarding what power was required and needed assistance. Contained power was not an option because too much lighting power was required. BLE therefore recommended two of its 400W inverters and one 200W inverter which fit the purpose completely. Additionally, the company remained on hand to provide assistance regarding the requirements for emergency lighting legislation and what the facility needed to do to in order to be compliant and ensure the safety of its occupants and the smooth opening and operation of the new facility.
McLaren has cemented itself as one of the UK’s leading construction companies thanks to another successful financial year. Latest figures from the firm for the financial year ended July 2019 show an 11% turnover increase on year to £650.9 million, delivering an operating profit of £3.6m. This 12-month period has seen McLaren work on a number of high profile projects across the UK, including the completion Bracken House, Lakeside Shopping Centre, securing another contract for Wembley Park and making progress with the Leicester City Football Club training centre. To diversify the pipeline of contracts to the business units, the group has invested considerable effort in establishing new routes to market within the public sector, primarily through places on national and regional framework agreements. McLaren is evolving its digital strategy to stay at the forefront of technology, construction design efficiencies, data management, and supply-chain collaboration. The company achieved BIM Level 2 accreditation in 2019 and remains on track to deliver its three-year digital strategy. This will include the integration of a common data environment with project design, programme and procurement process – ensuring that all projects have an associated ‘Digital Delivery Plan’. The business continues to prioritise health, safety and wellbeing and has maintained excellent safety records with an Accident and Incident Rate well below the industry average. In a similar vein, the business is minimising the impact of its operations on the environment and enhancing systems and processes to focus on carbon reduction, monitoring energy use and implementing circular economy principles. As part of McLaren’s commitment to leaving a positive legacy in the communities in which it works, the business continues to conduct its activities in an ethical and socially sustainable way, delivering on project community plans, improving social value targets and enhancing the lives of local people. Kevin Taylor, chairman, commented: “McLaren continues to shine as one of the UK’s most successful, privately-owned construction companies and as a partner of choice for both private and public sector businesses. “The appointment of four of our company directors to the main board demonstrates how we support the development of our colleagues and seek to promote from within. Our investment in delivering projects to the public sector shows our commitment to diversifying and securing future contracts in challenging market conditions and bringing more much-needed homes to the UK. “Our focus remains on exceptional customer-delivery, which is why we have invested in new business approaches that meet the modern needs of agile and forward-thinking organisations. A defined digital strategy means we are bringing additional design efficiencies, data management and innovative project management processes to our business for the new decade.”
A new pioneering engineering building is set to bring an array of cutting-edge facilities to the University of Exeter. National firm Morgan Sindall Construction has completed the development and handed it over to the university ahead of its scheduled opening in May 2020. The building will include VSimulators – a multi-disciplinary research platform funded by a £4.8 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. VSimulators offers a state-of-the-art, world class facility, combining virtual reality (VR) technology capable of immersing up to nine occupants simultaneously in headset-projected VR scenarios. A 4×4 metre, custom designed motion platform, linked to the VR scenarios, enables users to perceive realistic motion as they move around in a virtual world, while optical and inertial motion capture systems and an array of force plates will record their experiences. VSimulators will be used by academics and industry to support multi-disciplinary human factors research and innovation. Speaking at the handover ceremony, Paul Cockram, area lead and operations manager at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “The University of Exeter’s ambition for new facilities has been at the heart of the delivery of this project and we’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work collaboratively with the university to bring this unique vision to life. “We’re pleased to be handing over the new building on schedule, which will provide a stunning new home for the university’s engineering, mathematics and scientific researchers. “As a centre of excellence, the new facility will open up new opportunities for research and innovation, helping to further bolster the University of Exeter’s world-leading reputation as a critical thinker in this field.” This new facility will boost the innovative science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical, or STEMM, offering in Exeter, acting as a pivotal centre of excellence for the College’s world-leading structural engineering research. Hugh McCann, estates business partner at the University of Exeter added: “This is an exciting new facility for the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, and the University as a whole. “I am delighted that we have taken delivery of the new facility, and look forward to marking the launch of the VSimulators facility later this year.”
A rock-solid internet connection is increasingly being referred to as ‘the fourth utility’ – as important to a homeowner as water, electricity and gas. Two thirds of adults (64%) say the internet is an ‘essential’ part of their life and the average Brit is online for 24 hours a week. The average home is truly ‘connected’ with 10 internet-enabled devices, and this is predicted to rise to 15 by the end of this year. And this appetite for smart thermostats, smoke detectors, video doorbells, CCTV, smart assistants and the like shows no sign of letting up. It’s no wonder therefore, that hyperfast broadband is now high up the home mover’s wish-list with many now expecting new homes to have a full fibre connection – the gold standard of digital infrastructure, enabling symmetrical gigabit speeds and the most reliable service. Steve Harper, Group M&E Manager from Galliard Construction Ltd, explains: “access to good quality digital infrastructure is a priority for our customers, which means it’s equally as important to us. It’s no longer a nicety – it can seriously impact the decision-making process as it affects lifestyle as much as proximity to good schools and transport links. It forms the foundation of the connected home and movers don’t want to wait to start living their lives in a way they are used to.” Given its importance therefore one could reasonably expect that along with water, gas and electricity a high-speed internet connection would be there for the homeowner on the day they move in? Unfortunately, in all too many situations this isn’t the case. According to research by Think Broadband, one in eight new properties have speeds so slow they fall below the Government’s minimum requirement – and four in ten are still being built without fibre broadband. Solving this problem must be a strategic priority. It’s a clear ‘win’ for the developer. Over two thirds of people (69%) now check their broadband speed before moving home and most incredibly Brits confessed that they would spend 11% more for a property with 100Mbps+ broadband. And data supports that a home-mover is far more likely to make complaints and score a developer lower if there isn’t a connection on day one. However, despite this acceptance some developers are finishing builds before services are available. So why then, the ‘disconnect’ between demand and supply, why are so many developers not getting their ducks in a row for day one availability? As a supplier that works with over 200 developers Hyperoptic is uniquely placed to share insight. It’s certainly not rocket science – the upshot is that it’s hard and real effort is required on each and every project to achieve the result every time. Full fibre broadband may be installed at zero cost to the developer, but it does require resource to coordinate installation. It cannot be an add-on at the end of the build; the supplier must be engaged from the beginning with a bespoke project stream that will facilitate planning and on-site cooperation. It also requires complete dedication from the supplier. Connectivity for new builds is not a priority for many of the legacy broadband providers – they work according to their timelines, not the developers. There are also many new entrants, but they lack the experience and resource that is required to get everything done and dusted according to a strict timeframe. Hyperoptic recognised the issue and took a different tack when founded in 2011 and set up a bespoke department for the new build sector. It was recognised that hitting day one targets was a two-way street, so to achieve the desired result target and reward employees across the delivery process, with clear and agreed goals. By using this approach and measuring ourselves on day one success, the Hyperoptic new-build installation team has hit a 99% success rate in 2019 – replicated the result from 2018, up from 97% in 2017 and 96% in 2016. The fact is that day one connectivity will not happen organically – but with forward thinking, internal resource and suppliers that measure and target themselves on delivery, it can be achieved every time. As the concept of the home changes – with IoT devices becoming the norm across the board, from smart meters, smart heating, smart lighting and smart security, having a robust underlying digital infrastructure is something that home owners just cannot live without – they need it ready by the time they collect their house keys. Hyperoptic recently worked with Stanhope on its icon Television Centre development find out more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZrjwZm49RU&feature=youtu.be David Walker, Head of Property, Hyperoptic
Landwood Property Auctions is hailing a switch to weekly online auctions as the catalyst for a massive rise in activity in 2019. While the property sector as a whole has struggled against the backdrop of Brexit and a snap general election, Manchester-based Landwood managed to buck the trend. Landwood Property Auctions, which first launched on to the market in February 2018 as one of the first in the industry to sell solely online, made the call in 2019 to step up its offering and increase the regularity of auctions from monthly to weekly. Following the introduction of auctions every seven days, Landwood saw three times as many lots listed on its site as for the entire 12-month period preceding it, with sales levels also more than doubling. Some lots even sold for as much as 356 per cent more than their listed guide price. Throughout 2019, Landwood sold more than £16.5 million worth of property via its online auction service, £2 million of which came from lots selling over their reserve price. With more opportunities to both buy and sell online with Landwood Property Auctions, success looks set to continue throughout 2020 and beyond. Landwood Property Auctions director Kate Lay said: “We deliver a genuinely personal service, giving clients immediate access to impartial, straightforward and clear advice. “We work hard to constantly develop innovative ways of delivering auction services that fit with modern, ever-changing client and buyer requirements and behaviours. As early adopters of an online-only auction format, we understand the benefits of doing so to offer a wider range of properties for sale, as well as how to maximise the potential of the technology on offer. “Introducing weekly auctions was just another way of us setting a new standard for what buyers and sellers alike can expect from an online auction service. “The average amount of time it takes to sell a property through traditional methods is 62 days – but through Landwood’s weekly online auctions the process can be much quicker. For example, it can take as little as 14 days for completion to take place once a property has sold. “The ease of access to our system also helps to ensure there’s a higher number of potential bidders, and thus a higher sales success rate.” Fellow director James Ashworth added: “We’re proud to be one of the first to adopt online as our auction method and set new standards for its success. “It’s fantastic to see such growth and we look forward to seeing lot and sales numbers increase in the coming months, with 2020 looking set to be our most successful year yet.” Across the year, Landwood dealt with everything from a city centre penthouse apartment to a grade two listed bank, a holiday home in the Shetland Isles to a stretch of riverbank in the heart of the Lake District National Park. And it wasn’t just the bigger properties that attracted the most interest, with buyers rushing to snap up the lower priced and smaller lots as a way to expand their property portfolio. This variety on offer is yet another aspect of Landwood’s service which helped to make 2019 and their weekly auctions a huge success. Directors Kate and James are already well prepared for the year ahead and, with concrete plans in place to further develop the brand and it’s online offering in the coming months, it’s an exciting time to be involved with Landwood Property Auctions. Kate said: “With our new website launching in February alongside our new company branding, we can’t wait to see what comes next. In the earlier days of Landwood Property Auctions, many asked us if online bidding could truly match the competition of a traditional room auction. The answer is clear to see. We offer everything that a traditional auction room does but with more modern customer experience to suit the wants and needs of the era. The success of our approach is proven with the increased number of sales.”
International Quarter London’s (IQL) landmark building, the Pavilion has agreed a deal for to bring a new world-renowned restaurant to the area. Global restaurant and bar group, D&D London has signed an agreement which will see it launch its latest dining concept within the Pavilion. The Pavilion is currently under construction and stands at the gateway to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. Designed by award-winning contemporary architects ACME, the building is made almost entirely from sustainable timber and split over three floors. D&D London will create an inclusive and inviting place to eat, drink and socialise. Their design will incorporate a ground floor café and brasserie, first floor restaurant, and a rooftop bar. The building includes a roof terrace with views across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and what will become East Bank, the future home to world-class cultural institutions including Sadler’s Wells and the V&A, among others. With a collection of over 40 restaurants and bars across the globe – from London, to Leeds, to Paris, to New York – each space has its own identity, but shares a vision for great food, drinks and service, as well as world-class design. IQL is a £2.4bn joint venture between Lendlease and regeneration specialist LCR that stands at the gateway to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is a vibrant new 22-acre neighbourhood within the heart of Stratford, which brings together new homes, offices, and a diverse range of shops and restaurants. Guy Thomas, Head of Retail at Lendlease, said: “The Pavilion will be the beating heart of IQL and our goal was to sign up a tenant with enough gravitas and vision to establish a concept that would complement the thriving and diverse community we are building and nurturing. D&D London will make the Pavilion a focal point for IQL and Stratford, and they will offer something for everyone. We look forward to revealing more about this project as work progresses.” Des Gunewardena, Chairman and CEO of D&D London, added: “D&D has an established reputation for being at the forefront of restaurant development within emerging areas of cities both in the UK and oversees. We see Stratford as an exciting new cultural and leisure quarter of London, particularly following the 2012 Olympics, and we are admirers of Lendlease’s bold vision for IQL’s development. We look forward to occupying what will be some beautiful spaces and hope to develop restaurant, café and bar concepts to do justice to a building which is sure to become an iconic landmark for Stratford and for London.”
Leading energy, services and regeneration specialist, ENGIE, recently joined partners and donors to celebrate the ‘ground-breaking’ of its Manchester Helipad project, demonstrating the progress of construction works at the site. Funding for the Helipad was raised by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s (MFT) charity, Time Save Lives Appeal, which raised a phenomenal £3.9million in just 12 months, thanks to the dedication and generosity of its supporters. The new Helipad will be located on the roof of Grafton Street multi story car park and will include an adjoining high-level link bridge to the roof of Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI). The helipad will also provide access to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, St Mary’s and the Royal Eye Hospital. Robert Bertram from the HELP Appeal charity, which is dedicated to funding hospital and air ambulance helipads across the country, and Stephen Lowe, representing The Stoller Charitable Trust joined MFT Chairman Kathy Cowell OBE DL, and Maurice Watkins OBE, Charitable Fundraising Board Chairman to see progress on the construction project, which is being led by ENGIE. Andrew McIntosh, Regional Managing Director at ENGIE said: “We’re delighted to be leading this pioneering project and making a real impact to the Manchester community, by providing real improvements to the transportation of thousands of patients. “Manchester has some of the world’s leading hospitals and this Helipad will provide a major boost to the region’s healthcare services. “The recent ceremony and event was a chance to celebrate the hard work everyone has put into making this project a reality and our thanks must go out to all partners involved.” Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Chairman, Kathy Cowell, said: “It was a pleasure to again meet representatives from these organisations, who have so generously funded our Helipad. I was delighted to show our guests construction progress so far on our Helipad, which will help so many of our patients in the future. “This is a very exciting time for MFT and the helipad is a fantastic project, which will help to save so many lives in Greater Manchester, the North West and beyond.” Alistair Rennie, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Major Trauma at the MRI and Group Clinical Lead for Emergency Planning at MFT, said; “This Helipad means that Air Ambulances, which currently land on a nearby field, will be able to land directly at MFT. This is crucial, as the first 60 minutes following a major trauma injury is known as the ‘Golden Hour’, and treatment within the first hour can mean the difference between life and death. “The Helipad will ensure both adults and children with major trauma reach their respective major trauma receiving teams without delay. I was proud to show our guests what a difference their generous donations will make.” The helipad is set to be fully operational later this year.
A new survey has discovered that nearly half of people in the UK feel no sense of belonging in the community where they live. The survey of 1,250 people, conducted by housing experts Laurus Homes, revealed that only 53% of people felt a sense of community with others that lived on their street. The results varied greatly by age. 18 to 24-year-olds were least likely to feel a sense of belonging (44%) whereas those of retirement age (65+) were most likely to feel connected to where they lived (64%). While there was no statistically significant difference between male and female respondents, sentiment changed greatly by region. Those in Wales were most likely to report that they felt a strong sense of belonging within their community (65%), whereas that number plummeted to just 44% for Londoners. Is the UK losing its sense of community? The survey from Laurus Homes displays a marked decline in the public’s sense of kinship with their local area over the last five years. Since 2014, the proportion of people who said they felt a sense of belonging in their neighbourhood has gone down from 72% (Source: Community Life Survey) to just 47% in this latest report. Previous research from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport also found that in the last five years, Britons have become less likely to trust their neighbours. Only 40% of those surveyed in 2019 said that many of the people in their neighbourhood could be trusted, down from 48% in 2014. In fact, the proportion of adults who chat with their neighbours at least once a month — beyond a mere ‘hello’ — has also declined in the same time (75% in 2015 to 72% in 2019). This coincides with the increase in the number of people who felt their area had gotten worse to live in. That figure stands at more than 1 in 4 people in 2019, up from 1 in 5 just five years earlier. What problems can a loss of community cause? While the decline in our sense of community might seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, it has significant impacts on health. Social isolation is a major risk factor for mental health. One research paper published in BMC Public Health found that working-age adults who lived alone were significantly more likely to develop mental health problems and rely on antidepressants than those who lived in a shared household. But why? Many experts believe that having someone to talk to about ideas and circumstances helps people feel accepted by others. Feeling accepted is a core pillar of our psychological well-being. Without tight-knit communities, this sense of acceptance is more difficult to find. How can we get our sense of community back? The decline of local communities isn’t inevitable. In fact, there are a number of ways we can revive the sense of community in our neighbourhoods, boosting our mental health and well-being along the way. Annie Clewlow, Manager of neighbourhood charity Communicare, suggests that lots of opportunities to chat — such as pubs, working men’s clubs, pension queues and at the school gates — have been lost thanks to the rise of digital communication. “People need to be given more opportunities to ‘bump into’ one another in community spaces where they feel comfortable and safe. This includes cross-generational opportunities to increase mixing and socialisation across all age groups as this will improve each generation’s understanding of others. “Some supermarket cafés already have tables set aside for people who would like to meet others for a chat to sit at and some cities also have ‘happy to chat’ benches.” Annie said that local authorities could be instrumental in revitalising the UK’s sense of community. She said: “The government can encourage and support a ‘bottom-up’ approach and target funding to support community development such as local solutions groups.” Zac Worthington, Sales Manager from Laurus Homes, said: “It’s clear from the findings that we have to look into whether there is a disconnect between people and their local areas, which could create the loss of a sense of community. “As the results from the survey show people need more opportunities to ‘bump into each other’. That’s why we are building homes rather than houses. We want to foster a new sense of community by building homes where people want to live and connect with their neighbours and engage in a community.” “Getting reconnected to a local community is key in helping reduce the level of social isolation our country experiences and encourage a way of living that is far better for our mental well-being.”