News & Views – Belonging Forum

News

Research shows how good gardening is for mental health

HORTWEEK | The Belonging Forum’s 2026 Belonging Barometer has found nearly one in three (32%) people who report good mental health list gardening as a hobby, compared with just 16%… view full article >>

The Chelsea Flower Show reminds us that the outdoors belongs to everyone

LBC | A community garden can be one of the last places where people meet without needing to buy something, prove something or perform for anyone, writes Kim Samuel. READ. view full article >>

South West London, and particularly, Richmond Park is apparently the best place in the UK for community connection.

RADIO JACKIE | According to the Belonging Forum which surveyed 10,000 adults across all current constituencies, South West London, and particularly, Richmond Park is apparently the best place in the… view full article >>

Blog

The Walrus Talks: Power and Belonging

The Walrus Talks Power and Belonging Every year, new studies show continual erosion in the public trust in institutions and society in Canada. Democracy feels fragile, and many people feel… view full article >>

Rethinking Development at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

Diego is a researcher with the Belonging Research Lab who completed the MPhil in Development Studies at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on socio-environmental conflicts in Latin America,… view full article >>

How digital and social media impact belonging for young people

The Belonging Form has convened two conversations on a question that is becoming increasingly urgent: what does belonging mean for young people in a screen saturated age? This is particularly… view full article >>

Publications

From Isolation to Integration: Building a Sense of Belonging in a New Environment

Soraya Amiri is an experienced media professional and women’s rights advocate with over five years of journalism experience in print, radio, and television in Afghanistan and Canada. In 2022, Soraya… view full article >>

Measuring Social Connectedness in Multidimensional Poverty Surveys

MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY PEER NETWORK (MPPN) | JULY 21, 2024 Our founder and Chief Belonging Officer Kim Samuel, alongside senior researchers Dr. Prenika Anand and Samuel McQuillen, discuss the critical role… view full article >>

Voices from the Movement: The Global Need for Social Connectedness

Welcome to the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness’s newsletter, “Voices from the Movement!” In this ongoing digital publication, SCSC will strive to highlight writers who are researching and advocating across… view full article >>

Press Releases

Scotland’s belonging divide: Mid Dunbartonshire ranks highest in the UK for life satisfaction

London, UK, 1 May 2026 – Scotland contains some of the UK’s strongest communities for a sense of belonging, but also some of its most disconnected places, according to new… view full article >>

London’s belonging paradox: capital has strongest friendships but some of UK’s loneliest communities

London, UK, 30 April 2026 — People in London are less likely than anywhere else in the UK to say they have no close friends, with the proportion reporting zero… view full article >>

Yorkshire faces ‘postcode lottery’ for belonging: new research reveals stark gaps between community connections

London, UK, 30 April 2026 – Where you live in Yorkshire can shape how connected and safe you feel, with new research by the Belonging Forum released today (30 April)… view full article >>