David Saunders
If you’ve ever wondered whether neighbourly spirit still has a pulse in modern Britain, the answer lands quicker than an Amazon van on a Sunday morning. New research shows the neighbourly spirit is not only alive and well, but it’s also practically sprinting up and down our streets with a spare key and a bag of borrowed tools.
According to a new nationwide study commissioned by Lily O’Brien’s, today’s Brits speak to the people next door an average of 13 times a month, and a hefty eight in ten now class their neighbours as genuine “friends”.
And what earns someone that coveted “top neighbour” status? Old habits still rule. Keeping an eye on the house while someone’s away sits firmly at the top. Taking in parcels is right behind it, followed by the simple but underrated art of saying hello – a reminder that you don’t need to bake sourdough to be a decent human being.
Communities still run on the small things most of us take for granted: watering plants, lending a hammer, tossing the kids’ football back over the fence without muttering, and occasionally inviting someone in for dinner. More than a quarter say that looking after a neighbour’s pet is the real sign you’ve hit the jackpot.
One in five admit there’s nothing quite like a chocolate-shaped gesture of goodwill, while others swear by something as humble as picking up the stray rubbish that blows into a front garden. A growing crowd also appreciate a good old-fashioned street WhatsApp group to keep the place ticking along.
And people care about these bonds more than ever. Eight out of ten say having good neighbours matters, 58% believe they make home life happier, and two-thirds feel that strong local connections are the glue holding communities together.
Professor Andrea Wigfield, Director at the Centre for Loneliness Studies, who is working with Lily O’Brien’s on the research, explains just how much these ties shape our wellbeing.
“It’s clear from the research that having a close relationship with the people around us can make a huge difference to our lives. Forming friendships within our local community or neighbourhood not only helps prevent and reduce loneliness by supporting meaningful connections with other people, but also enhances our sense of connection to place. It fosters a sense of belonging within the local neighbourhood, helping us feel more welcome, accepted, and confident to be ourselves.”
Broadcaster, podcaster and author Angela Scanlon, partnering with Lily O’Brien’s this Christmas, echoes the sentiment:
“Christmas is a time for celebrating with loved ones and connecting with those nearest to us. Building friendships with neighbours is about more than having someone to rely on – it’s about feeling at home in your community and creating a sense of belonging. Someone minding your key or sending sugar over the fence. Whether its hand delivering a card or dropping by with a box of chocolates, why not reach out to your neighbours this festive season? You never know, you might just make a new lifelong friend.”
| Rank | Sign | % of Brits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Keeping an eye on their house while they’re away | 75% |
| 2 | Taking in parcels | 70% |
| 3 | Keeping the noise down | 59% |
| 4 | Always saying hello | 46% |
| 5 | Bringing their bins in | 43% |
| 6 | Giving advance warning when having a party | 32% |
| 7 | Looking after their pets when they’re on holiday | 26% |
| 8 | Never parking outside their house | 25% |
| 9 | Giving lifts if needed | 22% |
| 10 | Chatting over the garden fence | 22% |
| 11 | Letting them use your tools | 22% |
| 12 | Sharing surplus veg from your vegetable patch | 21% |
| 13 | Watering their plants | 21% |
| 14 | Inviting them over for Christmas drinks | 19% |
| 15 | Throwing the football back over | 18% |
| 16 | Giving them thoughtful gifts like chocolates | 18% |
| 17 | Recommending tradespeople | 18% |
| 18 | Not judging their takeaway habits | 17% |
| 19 | Lending them sugar, eggs or milk | 16% |
| 20 | Putting the kettle on when they pop over | 15% |
| 21 | Picking litter up from their front garden | 15% |
| 22 | Creating a WhatsApp group together | 14% |
| 23 | Helping them with DIY | 13% |
| 24 | Remembering their birthday | 12% |
| 25 | Bringing a souvenir back from holiday | 11% |
Professor Wigfield also offered simple ways to strengthen these local friendships: “There are lots of simple ways to bring back the neighbourly spirit – it can start with something as small as saying hello instead of rushing by. Take the time for a quick chat, and before long you might find yourself sharing a coffee, a slice of cake, or even a few chocolates together.
“Whatever you decide to do, you can’t go wrong by sharing food. Sharing food is a wonderful way to create new bonds and strengthen existing ones – whether it’s over a cuppa, a piece of cake, a meal, or even something as simple as a chocolate.”
And in the spirit of giving, Lily O’Brien’s is inviting the nation to shine a light on the heroes who keep our streets ticking. This Christmas, anyone can nominate a deserving neighbour at lilyobriens.com/gift-next-door for the chance to win luxurious chocolates for every household on their street.
