City living can be an overwhelmingly lonely experience for many. Swim Dem Crew is a collective that's bringing people together by arranging swim meets in pools across London. The crew has created a tight-knit, inclusive community, which taps into the therapeutic power of group exercise.

While Britain has always been a country proud of its heritage, nostalgia for community life seems to have taken root more firmly in the 21st century. As a Demos report highlights, this reflects a feeling among the majority of citizens that the country is in a state of acute decline.

The CLF Art Cafe in Peckham, London, has become something of a nightlife institution since opening its doors in 2007. By giving back what the community has put in, the multi-purpose space has been able to provide creative sanctuary at a time when art is the first victim of austerity.

Getting on the property ladder is proving difficult for first-time buyers, with just 20% of Britons and Americans under the age of 25 owning a home. As their individual savings are often not enough to enter the market, a growing number are finding a house with someone who’s not their spouse.