How to be a good neighbour in a crisis

According to research by Admiral Home Insurance a third (33%) of people say that keeping an eye on the elderly in the community is the sign of a good neighbour – something that is becoming increasingly more important in the midst of the current coronavirus pandemic.

Over half (54%) of people in the UK don’t socialise with their next-door neighbour which could mean over 4 million people over the age of 70 could be alone during self-isolation if they don’t have anyone close by who can check-in on them[i]

With many people being asked to self-isolate, or maintain social distancing, Admiral has shared a list of five helpful things you could do (as voted for by the British public) that would help you be a good neighbour:

1. Keep an eye on elderly neighbours

A third  (33%) of people said that keeping an eye on elderly neighbours and checking up on them was the sign of a good neighbour – more important than ever during social distancing.

Almost two fifths (38%) of those aged 55-64 valued it as a good neighbour trait, with that figure rising to 40% for people over the age of 65.

 2. Take the bins out

Taking the bins out or bringing them in was voted the second most popular trait of a good neighbour, with more than one in five people (28%) saying it is the sign of a good neighbour.

More than a third (36%) of those aged 65 or over said that taking the bins in or out was a positive neighbourly thing to do.

3. Neighbourhood Security

More than half (57%) of Brits say that keeping an eye on their property while away is the sign of a good neighbour, with two thirds (68%) of over 65s and 67% of 55-64 year olds valuing neighbours who keep an eye on their property while they’re away .

If you know of a neighbour who is stuck abroad or delayed getting home due to the coronavirus outbreak, keeping an eye on their property while they are way could be more important than ever.

4. Casual conversation

Over two thirds (37%) of homeowners and renters’ value casual conversation as a good neighbourly trait, with this figure rising to 39% for those over the age of 55.

While 29% of Brits already have a conversation in the street or over the garden fence, there are many more neighbours who could be doing the same.

The government has advised against all but essential contact with others, but if you can make conversation while keeping the right distance, striking a conversation with your neighbour could go a long way.

5. Lend household items such as sugar, milk

One in ten (10%) Brits value neighbours who are willing to lend household items, from milk and sugar to Sellotape and other useful items.

Offering to help neighbours by lending essential items if you have anything spare, could not only help to put you in the neighbour’s good books but also save them an unnecessary trip to the shops which could place them at risk.

Noel Summerfield, Head of Household Insurance at Admiral said: “Our research shows what people expect from good neighbours in the modern world and what they value most is courtesy and consideration. Whether it’s saying a simple hello from one garden to the next or bringing in your neighbours’ bins, such simple actions can go a very long way. A five minute chat could be the perfect opportunity to check-in to ask how they’re doing and see if there’s anything they need – at a safe distance of course.”

Zoe Colosimo, Chief Operating Officer of Neighbourly: “We know from the thousands of local charities and community causes that we work with that loneliness is being experienced by every generation in our neighbourhoods. A simple “hello” carries a value that shouldn’t be underestimated.”