With the easing of restrictions on the horizon, the future is looking brighter as the UK heads towards spring and the hope of this being the final lockdown. Over the last 12 months, community spirit has soared as the nation felt a bigger need for a sense of togetherness. And whilst times have been tough, across the UK many local communities have come together to provide invaluable support to each other – from community kitchens to picking up prescriptions, or welfare calls to those feeling isolated and alone.

Now Mecca Bingo, whose 76 clubs have been at the heart of UK’s towns and cities for 60 years, is launching a campaign to encourage the UK to keep helping their neighbours and communities post lockdown. With a recent survey showing 25% of UK residents have an improved relationship with their neighbours since the start of the pandemic*, Mecca wants to ensure that support networks continue to grow by offering their help to a handful of incredible individuals.

To aid local efforts, Mecca is asking residents of the local area to help them find people whose community spirit has gone above and beyond, so that they can give them additional support to continue their good work.

To find these extraordinary people, Mecca is asking for nominations via the Mecca Bingo blog, where UK residents can tell Mecca about their chosen person, and how they have spread positivity locally during the lockdown. In recognition for their hard work, Mecca will champion up to eight individuals, and give them the support they require in order to continue being a beacon of light for their community.

Jonathon Swaine, Managing Director at Mecca Bingo, said: “We are all in this together! Despite being closed at the moment we have, and always will be, a central part of our communities – somewhere you’ll always find a friendly face. We are really proud to support the amazing work that people in our local area have been giving up their time for through lockdown, and we want to make sure that people are able to continue offering that support. We may be coming out of lockdown, but we need strong community spirit more than ever.”

Throughout the pandemic, Mecca has continued to play an active role in the lives of customers and their communities. From weekly personal phone calls to check in on people, as well as cooking and delivering thousands of hot meals a week to vulnerable people – all with the help of local charities and communities.