Busy lives and social anxiety stop Brits getting to know neighbours

Busy lives and social anxiety stop Brits getting to know neighboursA simple chat over the fence sounds easy, but the fear of getting it wrong can make your own street feel like strangers. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Mark Worgan 16:16, Fri, May 29, 2026 Updated: 16:16, Fri, May 29, 2026 Busy lives and social anxiety stop Brits getting to know neighbours (Image: Cover Media) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Everyone needs good neighbours - but busy schedules, anxiety and social hangups are stopping Brits getting to know people who live nearby. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) New research has revealed that one in five (19%) have meaningful conversations with neighbours less than once a month, while 42% say they do not feel connected to others in their area. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Read more: Cheapest UK supermarket for summer shop named beating Lidl and Asda Read more: Corn on the cob is tastier when grilled with 1 item - not butter The survey by B&Q also found there is still a strong appetite for closer local ties,...