Chesterfield residents called upon to be a good neighbour during lockdown

The figures could mean that more than four million people over the age of 70 across the country could be alone during self-isolation if they don’t have anyone close by who can check-in on them.

With people being asked to self-isolate or maintain social distancing during the lockdown, insurance company Admiral has shared a list of five helpful things, as voted for by the British public, that could be done to help people be a good neighbour.

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.

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.

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 to 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.

Casual conversation – more than 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.

Lend household items – one in ten Brits value neighbours who are willing to lend household items, from milk and sugar to other useful items.

Noel Summerfield, head of household insurance at Admiral said: “What people 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.”