9 September 2016 | Our social impact | Back to Blog

Dot Dot Dot Guardians Make Great Neighbours

We’re well aware we house great people who do great things in the community. But it’s reassuring to know that our guardians also make great neighbours!

We’ve collected data from one of the biggest areas in which we work. It tells us that our guardians consistently interact positively with their neighbours in the area. Moreover, the more guardians we house, the more positive interactions they have with their neighbours. Check it out in the graph below.

160909-neighbourliness-graphic

What do our guardians say?

One of the best things about being a Dot Dot Dot guardian is the sense of community and neighbourliness that comes with it.

Our guardians in the area in question clearly valued interacting with the people around them. And the people in the area clearly valued their presence as well! Here’s what our guardians said:

“I invited my neighbour to come to vote with me for the mayoral elections, which was fun. On our walk down to the polling station, we had a lovely chat about his connection to the area and his career and the many twist and turns it has taken. Very interesting”

“I’ve spoken to my neighbour and she has said how happy she is to have people in the house next to her.” 

“I now work locally in and get a chance to talk to neighbours who visit the shop where I work.”

How can these great neighbours help?

If you’re reading this, you probably already know that our guardians do loads of great volunteering. But the fact they’re great neighbours is also significant.

In areas undergoing transition or regeneration, our guardians provide friendly faces and helping hands. More vulnerable residents appreciate their presence, particularly when the surrounding area may have a high percentage of empty buildings. Long-term residents often like the fact that new people have come to the area and are willing to help out in the community.

So, if you think that you’d like to become a Dot Dot Dot guardian and a great neighbour, feel free to apply.

Or, if you manage an empty building in an area which you think could use some more great neighbours, get in touch.