Southampton Named Britain’s Most Socially Connected City In New Nationwide Study

Nearly three in four residents say they feel connected to their community

Southampton has been named the most socially connected city in Britain, according to new research exploring how strongly people feel connected to where they live.

The study, commissioned by public sector membership club Boundless, found that nearly three in four Southampton residents (74.4%) say they feel connected to their local community, placing the city at the top of a nationwide ranking.

Southampton narrowly leads Belfast (74.1%), followed by Sheffield (73.6%) and Plymouth (73.6%), with Brighton rounding out the top five (72.7%).

The results also suggest coastal communities may foster particularly strong social ties, with three of the five most connected cities located by the sea.

Despite these positive pockets of community spirit, the research found that across Britain one in three people (32.5%) say they feel disconnected from their local community.

London ranked sixth overall, with 69.5% of residents saying they feel connected to their community, challenging the common perception that life in the capital is isolating.

At the other end of the ranking, Newcastle was found to be the least socially connected city in the study, with just 59% of residents saying they feel part of their community. Bristol (60.1%) and Norwich (62.7%) also ranked among the lowest.

The research also found that people who work in public sector roles reported particularly strong community ties, with three in four (75.1%) saying they feel connected to their local area, compared with seven in ten private sector workers (70.1%).

Darren Milton at Boundless, the membership club for public sector and civil service workers and retirees, said: “It’s fantastic to see Southampton leading the way when it comes to community connection.

“But while some cities are clearly thriving, the fact that one in three people across Britain feel disconnected from where they live is a reminder that building community takes effort.

“Shared experiences, local activities and opportunities to bring people together all play an important role in helping people feel part of something bigger than themselves.”

Boundless helps bring people together through shared experiences, offering its 150,000 members access to days out, events and volunteer-run community groups across the UK.

Boundless member Audrey Willingham, from Hayling Island in Hampshire, said: “For us, the best thing about Boundless membership is the social element. The local monthly lunches are good events and you have a good laugh – there’s normally a speaker there – it makes it a day out rather than doing boring chores at home.”

For members in Southampton and across the South East, upcoming Boundless member days include trips to Hever Castle in Kent this May and Thorpe Park in Surrey later this year, giving members the chance to explore attractions together while meeting others from their local area.

INDEX: UK cities ranked by the percentage of people who say they feel connected to their local community: