More than a third of adults feel there aren’t enough community spaces in their local area. A poll of 2,000 people found 22 per cent have noticed a decline in shared areas such as halls and centres in the past decade. But 81 per cent believe community centres are vital for improving connections with others. While 78 per cent think they contribute to a sense of wellbeing, and 72 per cent believe they are key for their overall physical health. The research, commissioned by Crown Paints, follows a Freedom of Information request which found government funding for public social spaces has dropped by a fifth in the past two years. The data from 96 local authorities found spending on community-related services and provisions has fallen by 18 per cent between 2022 and 2024.
