Theos and YouGov survey reveals that many voters are disconnected from media and local communities. 01/10/2025
A survey has revealed that less than a quarter of us (21%) know the name of a local faith leader. The poll by YouGov, commissioned by Theos, the religion and society think tank, suggests that when it comes to the drivers of social cohesion, everyday people are not turning towards the figures and places at the traditional centre of local communities.
Although most people (58%) said that they can name their local MP, less than a quarter (23%) know the name of their regional or local mayor. Three–quarters (75%) of all respondents said that they couldn’t name a local faith leader of any religion, and only 5% could name a local police officer. Less than half of all respondents have visited a local library in the last year (48%), and more than two–thirds (67%) of adults between 25–64 years of age say they had not visited any place of worship in the past twelve months. In fact more people have visited a local park in the last seven days (36%) than have visited a local place of worship in the last year (30%).
All respondents were far more likely to put their trust in friends and family (84%), and in their neighbours (63%) for accurate information. 86% of those polled said they know their next–door neighbour by name, and almost half (47%) have visited their neighbour’s house in the past twelve months.
When asked which features make them feel most connected to their local community, relationship with neighbours (38%), safety (37%) and visiting public spaces (31%) were top of the list, while shared faith mattered to just 4% of respondents.
Respondents were also asked what contribution faith groups make to local communities. More than a third of those who were polled said that faith communities have no real impact at all on the unemployed (35%), or on local (36%) or regional (38%) government. Only 8% believe that the overall contribution faith groups make to the life of the community is negative, but more than half (55%) say that they don’t know what contribution they make, or that it is neither good nor bad.
The research was conducted in preparation for the annual Theos Lecture at 7pm on Thursday, 9 October. In this year’s lecture, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham will discuss the importance of faith–based and other community organisations in fostering hope, health and human connection. And he’ll reveal the critical role they are set to play in the next chapter of English devolution, as Greater Manchester works to deliver support for people in true partnership with the local organisations they know and trust.
Chine McDonald, the Director of Theos, said: “Building strong communities depends on trust, and trust is built on communication. Mayor Andy Burnham believes that people of faith can have a significant role to play in building communities and shaping devolved democracy.
“Indeed, faith groups up and down the country are making a significant contribution in many ways: feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and helping free people from debt. But my reading of this survey data is that a strikingly high number of local residents are not aware of these contributions. This is particularly pertinent when we are seeing an increase in conversations about the role of religion in shaping politics and the nation. At a time of potential societal fracture, this is an encouragement for faith communities to step up, speak up, and increase their visibility beyond the church walls, showing the difference faith can make to social cohesion and building a better world for all.”
You can find the data tables here.
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