With 36 per cent of homeowners expressing they feel ‘worthwhile’ when they do something that benefits the community, and almost half (48%) of homeowners revealing they have made good friends with their neighbours through shared values, creating a community with a high level of engagement is essential for a happier neighbourhood.
Here are five ways you can become a model citizen in your neighbourhood:
1. Check in on older neighbours
What might seem a small chore for younger members of the community, such as taking out the bins or cutting hedges back, can be a big challenge for older people who may be less mobile. Checking in on elderly neighbours to see if they need help around their home or garden is a great way to help your local community, while also forming lasting friendships with neighbours who live nearby. A casual chat, smile or wave, when passing by can mean a lot to an older neighbour, whose children may have moved away or who may be living alone.
2. Volunteer wherever, whenever
One of the best ways to make new friends or grow your existing relationships with nearby neighbours, is to commit to a shared activity together. From assisting at a local school to setting up a grassroots football club, volunteering can take many forms and is a great way to make new friends – especially if you are new to the area.
3. Trash talk
Ensuring your finished items end up in the correct bin, depending on if it’s recyclable or not, is a quick and easy way to create a better environment and help in the fight against the climate crisis. Picking up rubbish and litter can also have a big difference on your neighbourhood as well as protecting local wildlife.
4. Shop locally
From corner shops and newsagents, to florists, cafés, pubs and hairdressers, locally owned, independent shops are at the heart of every community. While big supermarkets can be great for doing a big shop, local stores often source their goods locally which helps to reduce their carbon footprint – perfect for those smaller items you may have forgotten. By choosing to visit your local independent, rather than travel to a supermarket or retail park, you are also more likely to walk or cycle than take the car – therefore reducing traffic which in turn, helps to reduce air pollution.
5. Donate items to those in need
Donating to any cause, big or small, means you are making a difference – which can be a huge mood-booster. Knowing your act of kindness is helping someone less fortunate is hugely empowering and can make you feel happier and more fulfilled. Whether it’s for a cause close to your heart from a personal experience, donating towards a charity you have long admired or simply donating something to someone you know needs support, your donation will make a real difference.
At Redrow we don’t just build high-quality, beautiful homes, we also strive to deliver a better way of living for our customers, and that means thinking about the whole the community. Find out more about how we build a happy community.
