When was the last time you said hello to your next door neighbours? The chances are you don't even know their names.

In today's world people are too busy to actually acknowledge others who live just two metres away from them. Life is becoming more and more introverted and internet-based with many people choosing to buy food, make friends and form relationships online rather than face to face.

Sutton's Take Part Take Pride week addressed these issues of social isolation and gave residents the chance to make a difference in their community.

From June 3 to 10, the council gave the people of Sutton the opportunity to give something back and meet new people. Litter picks, river clear outs and planting sessions were just some of the environmental activities which attracted residents of all ages.

What is more, local band The Fore even wrote a theme tune for them to whistle while they worked.

Deputy leader of Sutton Council Colin Hall said: "This started as something we wanted to put on to get people in the community engaged with their area. We wanted people to have contact with each other through doing local activities.

"At first we were worried that people might think we were making them do the council's work because of things like the litter picks. But people have got really involved and got a sense of satisfaction and pride from helping out.

"There's a huge tradition in Sutton for volunteering. We have the most active volunteer centre in the country and people here care about this side of the community.

"Take Part Take Pride has reflected this. This week has allowed people to talk to their neighbours and get to know people in their community."

A list of events involving Sutton's theatres, volunteers and organisations aimed to reach everyone regardless of where they hail from in the borough.

And after the success of the event - which saw BBC Radio London broadcast from Sutton High Street for three days - the council is planning to expand the festival for 2008.

Coun Hall said: "There were 20 events last year and there were more than 50 this year. Take Part Take Pride is something that is going to be an annual event and that we will continue to develop.

"We want to expand it for the third year. Croydon and Wandsworth are now interested in doing it so maybe next year it will be a south west London festival.

"We all have the River Wandle in common and it would be good to join with other councils for this."

One of the reasons Take Part Take Pride struck a chord with residents was its ability to bring together different generations who may not normally see eye to eye.

It seems the week was a chance for young and old to work together in a common cause - improving the community in which they live.

Councillor Tony Brett Young said: "Elderly people always talk about the war when they talk about the good old days. No-one would want another war but there was a real sense of community spirit then and things like shortages and rationing did bring people together.

"People talked more, they knew their neighbours and I think that is what the older generations miss. Take Part Take Pride is a way of recapturing that."

The increasing sophistication of technology and breakdown of social cohesion may well mean there is less reason to leave your house.

However, thanks to this Sutton Council initiative perhaps there is still a way to learn more about your neighbours and, at the same time, contribute to the local area.

As councillor Ruth Dombey said: "People are stuck inside a lot these days with all of their IT and going out is not as necessary as it used to be. People don't know their neighbours and we want to give them an opportunity to talk to us and the people around them.

"I think Take Part Take Pride is an important chance for people to interact in their community."