We’re living in divisive times – but South West residents say their sense of community spirit is alive and well and helping rebuild fractured neighbourhoods. The city features in a new Community Spirit Index, with 62% of people saying they know and trust their neighbours.

The report, released to launch Community Business Weekend (16-19 May), highlights cities where neighbourhood working is strongest and reveals that despite a polarised political landscape, at a local level the majority of us know and trust the people in our community.

In the South West, community run-events and businesses are driving positive change and providing vital support.  One in four (24%) of respondents said working with others on local events is an important way to bring people together, while 56% recognise events in the city that have helped to create a sense of unity.

A further 40% think their community in the South West is good at pulling together in times of need.

And that sense of community spirit is growing. According to the Index, 39% of people in the South West want to learn more about how to help their community, almost one in four (21% ) want to become involved in a community business and 60% are keen to support community business owners and leaders.

A well as volunteering, consumers are using positive spending to support their neighbourhoods. With the Community Spirit Index revealing that 38% of people prefer to shop in a business whose profits are invested in the community if they can.

In the South West, community businesses include Bristol Ferry Boats, a collective that connects disparate communities through their ferry service, education and volunteering.

Bristol Ferry Boats have been helping people get around the city for more than 30 years after the private company running the service ran into difficulty in 1977. Rather than see the service go to ruin, a group of concerned residents took over to save the ferry by expanding the service to include a huge range of arts and wellbeing events, all hosted from the boat.

Next week Power to Change launches its annual Community Business Weekend (16 to 19 May inclusive). The annual open doors event will see community businesses across England showcasing their work and inviting people to take a closer look at what they do and how they might get involved.

To mark this year’s Community Business Weekend, Bristol Ferry Boats are preparing to unveil a series of special events including a Somalian Street Kitchen, the premiere of a new piece children’s theatre focusing on mental health challenges and an onboard piano recital.

Speaking about the Community Spirit Index and the Community Business Weekend, Power to Change Chief Executive, Vidhya Alakeson says:

“At this time of huge uncertainty it’s fantastic to hear that community spirit is still alive and well. People are more determined than ever to pull together for the common good.  We know from our work on the ground how important that connection is for a successful community business, and how much those businesses improve the lives of communities.

“Community Business Weekend is a great opportunity for people to reconnect with their local community and to learn more about the amazing work of the 8,000 community businesses across the country that are working to transform their local area.”

Find out what’s happening all over the country for Community Business Weekend 16-19 May on www.communitybusinessweekend.org