Roots Survey Report
What 550+ people told us about connecting across difference in the UK
At a time when division feels dominant, our research suggests something more complex is happening beneath the surface. Most people are open to connecting across difference – but far fewer actually experience it.
So what’s really going on?
We often talk about a divided society. But our findings suggest the issue isn’t simply that people don’t want to connect. It’s that the conditions for meaningful connection – especially across difference – are often missing.
What we found
- Openness is there
A majority of people say they are open to connecting with those different from them. - Experience is not
Far fewer people actually experience meaningful connection across difference. - Some differences feel harder
Political difference emerges as one of the most difficult spaces to navigate. - Feeling welcomed matters
People born outside the UK place greater importance on explicit welcome. - There’s a gap
There’s a clear gap between willingness and lived experience.
Why it matters
If willingness is there but connection isn’t happening, something isn’t working.
It’s about more than attitudes; it’s about the spaces, structures and confidence needed to bring people together in a meaningful way.
Without that, difference becomes something we avoid rather than engage with.
Explore the findings in more depth, including insights and what this means in practice.
