LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than one million people across Britain have taken to Streetlife (www.streetlife.com) to connect with their neighbours and build stronger communities, the local social network has announced.
The site has become an essential local resource in 4,000 communities across the country, and the appetite to engage online is only increasing. Of the one million people using the site, 50% joined within the last six months, with the number of messages exchanged daily increasing threefold.
A recent YouGov poll showed that the majority of British adults believe it’s important to feel part of their local community, but 44% don’t feel connected to it, and half would like to be more involved locally. Streetlife is addressing this need, with 9 out of 10 users saying they’ve become more active in their local community since joining the site.
Streetlife provides a free and simple way for local people to keep in touch and to share practical information, trusted recommendations and community events. Users sign up with their postcode and are automatically connected to the conversations in their area. There’s no need to find friends or followers – it’s an instant way to extend your local network.
Lia Hurst (57) is a regular user of the site: “Streetlife is a way to feel part of the community; we discuss what’s going on in our area, ask for help and offer advice,” she says. “The replies I receive are always friendly and helpful, and I enjoy reading all the points of view.”
“The neighbourhood is one of the most important communities in our everyday lives,” says Streetlife CEO Matthew Boyes. “As a nation, we speak to our neighbours less than we used to, but the desire is still very much there.”
Now people are harnessing the power of social media to rebuild their sense of community spirit, and as Mr Boyes explains, interactions on Streetlife go beyond simply talking online: “Streetlife makes it easy to share knowledge and ideas with your local community, around the clock and on the go, and this paves the way for people to come together in the real-world. Every day we hear incredible stories about how conversations on Streetlife have inspired civic action and fostered friendships among neighbours.”
Common uses of the site include:
· warning neighbours about a local burglary
· getting help finding a lost pet
· setting up a book club, walking group or coffee morning
· organising a litter pick at the local park
· finding a home for unwanted furniture
· exchanging trusted recommendations with neighbours
· keeping up-to-date with community events
To find out more and join your local community, visit www.streetlife.com or install the Streetlife app for iPhone and iPad at www.streetlife.com/app.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Further Information
1 Million Users (https://www.streetlife.com/million/) | About Streetlife (https://www.streetlife.com/about/) | Take a Peek (https://www.streetlife.com/about/take-a-peek/) | Case Studies (https://www.streetlife.com/about/case-studies/) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/streetlife.uk) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/streetlife_uk)
Multimedia
Selection of site screenshots and photos of Streetlife communities in action with captions:
Streetlife: Uniting Neighbours Across the Nation
Video – long (2:20) youtu.be/BqdCCk6n7ec
Streetlife: The Local Social Network
Video – short (1:03) youtu.be/oLo9LnUSegM
Animated gif showing growth of users, communities and nationwide footprint bit.ly/1M-GIF
Research Sources
· YouGov Plc, January 2015. Total sample size 2,194 adults. Survey conducted online. Figures weighted and representative of all GB adults.
· Streetlife User Survey, December 2014. Total sample size 7,900 adult users from active Streetlife communities across Britain. Survey conducted online.
Key Stats
· Streetlife’s user numbers have doubled in under six months – the site announced half a million users on 12/02/2015, and one million users on 24/06/2015
· 74% of Streetlife users are aged 40+
· 32% of Streetlife users don’t use any other social media platform
· 84% of surveyed users have made new local connections through Streetlife
· 83% of surveyed users have discovered local news, crime or events through Streetlife
· 49% of surveyed users have helped or been helped by a neighbour through Streetlife
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com