Befriend Inc

What if there’s something about you that goes deeper than what you’re good at?

"What We're Here to Give" is a two-day training offering for people who are curious about helping others recognise what they naturally bring to the world - whether you’re a coach, facilitator, community worker, leader, educator, team builder, or simply someone interested in people and their stories.

During our time together, you'll...

🌷 discover and name your own Core Gift - the thing you're here to give
🌷 learn a practical, structured process for helping others discover theirs
🌷 explore how this approach can support purpose, connection, leadership and belonging

🗓️ Thursday 12th and Friday 13th November
👩🏼‍💻 Where: Online
🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Hosted by: Core Gift Alliance, Core Gift Institute and Befriend

Keen to know more? Find out more here https://events.humanitix.com/2026-nov-cgmf-training

💬 "I feel strengthened in my own understanding of my purpose in life, and empowered to help others discover theirs - especially those who have ever felt that they were not valued or appreciated" - past participant

On stage at the WA Mental Health Conference! Last month, Nick, Elaine, Ella, Eliza and Anika presented at the WA Mental Health Conference sharing a little of the work we do at Befriend.

Elaine and Anika from Maarakool Primary School shared our collaborative work nurturing an inclusive, connected workplace within the school staff community. Nick, Ella and Eliza (ECU OT Honours Researcher) shared our community-building work, woven together with evidence from our Network Impact Survey and Eliza’s research.

The conference theme this year, Towards Wellbeing: Taking Control in the Face of Change, ran right through both sessions.

Both sessions seemed to strike a real chord, with lots of warm conversations happening afterwards. We are very grateful to have been part of it. 💛

A group of student consultants from UWA came to Befriend recently to learn what we do. Instead of just explaining it, Dave and Elaine ran them through a Gift Discovery and deep listening session.

Two hours in, shoes were off and the room had changed. One person put it simply afterwards: "I see that I have things to offer, different to what I'd thought and more."

Read the full article at the Resource Hub on our website.

https://befriend.org.au/articles/gift-discovery-deep-listening-team-workshop

Join Dave and Peter this Saturday for , two weeks of talks, workshops and immersive experiences coming to Walyalup Fremantle.

They'll be facilitating Making Sense in a Time of Unravelling, a Warm Data Lab session exploring how we make sense of the world together when everything feels like it's coming apart. This is the conversation you’ve been longing for.

- This Saturday 12 September | 10:30am - 12:30pm
- Make/shift HQ, Piazza Fremantle

Bookings: https://www.makeshift.site/program/making-sense

Another beautiful walk with our Armadale Walk and Talk group. This crew meets most Monday afternoons for a relaxed social walk around the area, always finding a new spot to explore together.

Fancy joining? See the link below for next Monday's details:
https://www.meetup.com/befriend-inc-social-club/events/316377992

More dates to come; keep an eye on the group, as walks are usually shared a week or two ahead.

Come along, get outside and meet some friendly faces :)

✨ Creative Community Flourishing workshop series ✨

We're excited to invite you to a delightful series of creative workshops, facilitated by Karen in collaboration with the Gosnells Women's Collective Inc . Throughout this series, we'll explore how feelings like gratefulness, thankfulness, kindness and community connection can positively impact our wellbeing.

Together we'll discover enjoyable ways to bring these uplifting habits into our daily lives, while crafting gratitude journals, thank you cards, kindness hearts and vision boards. You're welcome to join for the entire series or just the workshops that resonate with you.

- Upcoming session: The Art of Saying Thank You
- This Saturday 12 September | 2:00pm to 4:30pm

Join us to learn about the wellbeing science and the "how" of saying thank you, creating beautiful, heartfelt thank you cards that spread joy to both giver and receiver and build a deeper sense of connection.

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/creative-community-flourishing/

🌸 Together We Bloom 🌸

Together We Bloom is a three-part gathering series for female and CALD founders, entrepreneurs and innovators who want to nurture their resilience, deepen meaningful connections and build businesses for social impact.

In the fast pace of leadership and innovation, it's easy to feel overwhelmed or disconnected from purpose. This series offers a welcoming space to slow down, reflect and connect with other women who care about staying nourished while growing their contribution to community.

Facilitated in partnership with No Place for Poverty, each gathering blends wellbeing practices, storytelling, mindfulness and creative activities. Lunch, snacks and materials are included. Scholarships are available for anyone who needs one.

- 15 October, 12 November, 10 December
- 10:00am - 2:00pm
- Victoria Park Community Centre

Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/together-we-bloom

Nick had a lovely chat with Sally Sara on ABC Australia Radio National Breakfast bright and early this morning! 🎙️💛

Rewind 17 years, Nick was studying occupational therapy in WA when he came across an email addressed to his faculty, written by a young man with a disability asking for help finding connection and friendship. It's something we've heard so much about in recent years, that despite a digital world connecting billions of us, so many people are still feeling profoundly alone and disconnected. That one email set Nick on a path to connect people and community, and empower others to do the same along the way. That's where Befriend began!

Give it a listen when you've got 10 minutes 👇

Changing Australia: Nick Maisey and connecting community - ABC listen 17 years ago when Nick Maisey was studying occupational therapy in Western Australia, he saw an email addressed to his faculty.

A little something from our story corner 💛

Meet Robyn from Ellenbrook Mile, a community group that started with a handful of neighbours who just wanted to feel more connected where they live.

Read her insights on community and contribution on our website, along with many more inspiring stories to explore.

https://befriend.org.au/page-category/stories/