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Ageing Better: Local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, neighbourliness and reciprocity

Ageing Better: Local responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, neighbourliness and reciprocity (PDF, 0.6 MB)

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Introduction

This report shares what the Ageing Better programme learned about neighbourliness and reciprocity during the COVID-19 pandemic and what can enable communities to recover in the longer term.

It’s intended for:

  • funders

  • volunteer‑involving organisations

  • policymakers

  • community groups interested in inclusive volunteering

Findings

The report found that the COVID-19 pandemic increased neighbourliness, volunteering and mutual support in communities.

Ageing-Better-volunteering shows that people aged over 50 played an active role in helping others, rather than only receiving support.

Informal volunteering, mutual aid groups and local community networks helped people stay connected, reduce loneliness and respond to local needs.

Ageing Better partnerships supported these efforts through:

  • training

  • micro-funding

  • flexible volunteering opportunities

The report highlights that older people bring valuable skills, experience and community leadership. It concludes that stronger local relationships, community action and flexible volunteering can help communities recover and become more resilient in the long term.