A West Midlands borough has been ranked among the least friendly and connected areas in England, according to a new study examining community spirit and neighbourly relations. Sandwell, which includes West Bromwich, Tipton and Smethwick, was placed 289th out of 296 areas surveyed, making it the eighth least friendly place in the country.
The research looked at several aspects of people's lives, including how much pride residents have in their town and what they think of their neighbours. It also explored loneliness, belonging, local pride and levels of participation in civic life, such as whether residents actively choose to engage with neighbours or prefer to keep to themselves.
Trust in neighbours far below national average
In Sandwell, just 22% of residents said many of their neighbours could be trusted, well below the 40% national average. Only 40% of respondents said they felt proud to live in the area, according to the study findings.
However, the results were not entirely negative. Some 75% of Sandwell residents agreed with the statement that people from different backgrounds get on well here, which is roughly in line with the national average.
Deprivation linked to lower rankings
The study's authors suggested that places lower down the list tended to be more deprived, and Sandwell is among the poorest places in the country. Locals may feel less proud about their towns, particularly if they have witnessed the decline of the high street and believe their area has been left behind.
Other West Midlands areas near bottom
Walsall was also near the bottom of the table, ranking sixth from last in 291st place. Wolverhampton came in at 268th on the list, while Birmingham was placed 263rd.
The findings highlight a broader pattern across the region, with several West Midlands areas appearing in the lower reaches of the national rankings. The study attempted to gain insight into the openness and community spirit in different areas across England.
