Possibility in Practice is back for another round of fortnightly Saturdays at Wellard Community Centre, City of Kwinana. Sessions cover storytelling, gift discovery, warm data labs and much more! August: 8, 22 September: 5, 19 October: 3, 17, 31 November: 14 Participants often leave feeling more alive, more connected and more motivated. Some go on to take on meaningful projects, study or community work. Others simply return to everyday life with fresh eyes and softer hearts. Details here: https://lnkd.in/gGWias8z Enquiries and registration with Peter le Breton: peter@befriend.org.au #PerthCommunity #CommunityWellbeing #BefriendPerth
Befriend Inc
Non-profit Organizations
Perth, Western Australia 674 followers
Together, we belong.
About us
We believe the world is a much nicer place when we all belong, when we feel connected, included and free to share the things we care about with others. At Befriend, we know strong communities are built by everyday people. People of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and life stages. People just like you. Through our connections to one another, we discover new things about ourselves and the world around us. We also understand that putting yourself out there isn’t always easy. That’s why we started Befriend over ten years ago to make it simpler to bring people together. We work in partnership with local governments, organisations and residents, supporting people to think differently about their role in community life. Together, we explore meaningful ways to contribute to stronger, more inclusive communities. Through this work, we can all play a part in shaping a more connected world as friends, neighbours, colleagues and citizens. Our mission is to nurture connected, thriving communities where every person is valued and belongs. And it starts now, with you. We’re just the support act. Our vision is of an inclusive, connected world. We exist to spark human connection between people from diverse backgrounds, nurturing inclusive communities where everyone feels valued and has a sense of belonging. Our work is guided by a set of values that shape how we show up in everything we do. We believe in inclusion, treating people how they like to be treated and celebrating difference. We value authenticity, knowing that real connection begins with being genuine. We approach our work with curiosity, staying open to new perspectives and ways of seeing the world. We embrace fun as a powerful force for bringing people together and building lasting relationships. And we are committed to sustainability, focusing on long-term impact and growing relationships that endure.
- Website
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http://www.befriend.org.au/
External link for Befriend Inc
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Perth, Western Australia
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2010
- Specialties
- Social inclusion, Social enterprise, Technology training, and Community development
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
3/256 Adelaide Tce
Perth, Western Australia 6000, AU
Employees at Befriend Inc
Updates
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Over the past few months, Befriend partnered with the City of Joondalup to deliver a three-part learning series focused on strengthening community leadership and supporting community-led action. Together, we explored how communities can become more self-sustaining by building the confidence, skills and connections of local leaders. Sessions covered fostering collaboration and trust, sharing practical tools and strategies, strengthening existing community groups and inspiring new ideas for community action. The feedback was heartening. Participants described feeling encouraged, confident, connected and supported, a reminder of what's possible when people come together to learn and share. Thank you to the City of Joondalup for their commitment to strong, connected, community-led neighbourhoods. And thank you to everyone who joined us! We look forward to seeing the ideas, relationships and possibilities that grow from here. Interested in partnering with Befriend to deliver something similar in your community? Reach out to our team; we'd love to hear from you. #CommunityLed #CommunityLeadership #LocalGovernment #CommunityDevelopment
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Our Co-Learning Network is a community of lifelong learners who are curious about living a more connected, community-minded life and it's open to everyone. Through workshops, short courses, gatherings and seasonal events, we explore relational skills, community-building approaches and new ways of thinking about the places and people around us. Whether you're curious about the art and science of growing friendships, dreaming of starting a local initiative or wanting to learn about community-building practices, you're in the right place. Some people join to deepen their understanding, others to share ideas and many come to discover how they can bring more community spirit into their groups, neighbourhoods and workplaces. We're putting the finishing touches on a rich new season of learning experiences and we can't wait to share what's coming. Follow along or visit the link below to find out more: https://lnkd.in/gMYbvF4B #CommunityBuilding #SocialConnection #Belonging #PerthWA #CommunityDevelopment
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Hayley from our team put it beautifully: "Formal volunteering and roles are just one way to give back, but there are really infinite possibilities when you start to break beyond that thinking and ask yourself different questions. We believe every person in this community makes a valuable contribution to the lives of others." 💛 Check out the article on our website about the WA Volunteer of the Year Awards: https://lnkd.in/g2ADF4hA Thank you to Abby Marshall - Wild Red Media for capturing this special night! #InclusiveVolunteering #VolunteeringWA #CommunityBuilding #Perth #Belonging
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Have you ever had a little idea sitting quietly in the back of your mind? A gathering, a group, something you'd love to see exist in your neighbourhood? This one's for you. Kickstart Your Community free online workshop | Thursday 18 June | 3:30–5:30 pm Join us for a warm, informal 2-hour online workshop where we'll explore what it looks like to bring people together in a way that feels right for you. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gibm7wF9 #CommunityBuilding #BringPeopleTogether #FreeEvent #BefriendPerth
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We are so excited to be part of this and to have the wonderful Elaine Olsen alongside Kaimina Hoogland bringing this circle to life!
We live in a world that is now so connected, yet so many people are craving deeper human connection more than ever. Long before The Impact Connective existed, the heart behind it was always FLAME xChange. At its core was a deep desire to create more connection across people, communities and different walks of life through real and raw conversation. To help break down “otherness” through storytelling, curiosity, deep listening and shared human experience. A space to spark conversation, share stories, and reignite not only connection with others, but the flame within ourselves too. FLAME xChange itself is not a business venture or commercial project. It is simply a genuine community initiative and passion-led space focused on contributing, in whatever small ways possible, toward breaking down otherness, more connected and empowered people, stronger communities and a more connected world. Over the past little while, there’s been so many beautiful conversations both online and in person around belonging, loneliness, community, curiosity of difference, and what people are really craving more of right now. One thing that keeps coming up again and again is how deeply people are craving simple, genuine connection beyond surface level. Not anything overdone or heavily structured. Just safe, easy, low-pressure spaces to meet different people, share stories, feel seen, listen deeply and build connection beyond small talk. Sometimes all it takes is a story and a safe space to realise we’re not as alone, or different, as we think. I’m incredibly grateful to have connected with Befriend Inc, who are doing such meaningful work in this space through supporting connection, belonging and community building. With the support of Befriend, Elaine and I will be offering a free community connection circle commencing in Yanchep, WA. Elaine Olsen brings such depth of wisdom, warmth and heart for the art of connection and community, and I’m genuinely excited to see how the circle unfolds. These are relaxed, come as you are spaces. No pressure to share, no expectations, just real connection through conversation, storytelling and deep listening. The first session will begin as a once off gathering, initially open to women from all walks of life, with potential for it to grow into a more regular series over time. I’d also genuinely love to hear if there’s interest in similar spaces for men or broader mixed community connection spaces too. And if you already offer any kind of connection-based spaces, circles, walks, gatherings or aligned initiatives, please feel free to share them below too. The more we support and uplift each other, the stronger our communities become. More details in the flyer below. If this feels like something that might resonate with you, or someone you know in the Yanchep and surrounding area, feel free to share along or simply reach out. x Kaimina (Kai)
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We are so honoured to share that Befriend received the Inclusive Volunteering Award at last night's 2026 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards Gala! 🎊 This award celebrates volunteering programs that create inclusive cultures of participation, recognising that the “gift of giving” can look different for people from all walks of life, backgrounds, abilities and life circumstances. Over the last few years, we have been working alongside the community to build flexible, meaningful pathways for contribution. Rather than defining what volunteering "should" look like, we have tried to help people discover what they care about, what their unique gifts are, and how they might want to share them. For us, it is really just about doing something meaningful that connects. For some people, that looks like becoming a Befriend Host, bringing others together around shared interests and helping people feel a genuine sense of belonging. For others, it is discovering something about themselves through Befriend that leads them toward new volunteering adventures elsewhere, and we love seeing that ripple of community spirit grow. Some dream up their own ideas and community projects. Others show up through a street BBQ, a fundraiser or a clean-up day. And for some, contribution simply looks like brightening someone's day or helping another person feel seen and connected, which matters just as deeply. This award was an incredible surprise, and it truly belongs to everyone involved: the community members who brought forward ideas and courageously explored new ways of contributing; the partners who have generously supported us to nurture multiple pathways for participation; and our staff team, who continue creating thoughtful, engaging and safe ways for people to explore what matters to them. Here is to the year ahead! May more people discover something they care deeply about, and find beautifully-you ways of sharing it with the world. And if you need a hand figuring out what that might look like, we would love to walk alongside you. 💛 📸 Abby Marshall - Wild Red Media A big thank you to Volunteering WA for this gorgeous celebration of community spirit! #Volunteering #Community #Belonging #Befriend #WAvolunteerawards
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Growing Community Together We're excited to share that we are running a free workshop series with the City of Joondalup that invites individuals, community groups, and clubs to explore ideas, discover their strengths, and build the confidence to take the first steps toward community-led initiatives. The series is being led by Elaine Olsen, who is passionate about bringing people together and helping them find the confidence to create positive change in their communities. You're welcome to join the upcoming session that interests you most, or come along to both! - Sparking Community Involvement | Tuesday 19 May - Peer Learning and Action Planning | Tuesday 9 June Held at Joondalup Library and free to attend. We'd love to see you there. Grab your spot using the link below: https://lnkd.in/gEs7s7sM #Community #CommunityDevelopment #Workshops #FreeEvent #Joondalup
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Our 2026 Annual Network Impact Survey is live! Every year we ask the people in our community to share what's changed for them and what they're hoping for. Whether you've just found us, haven't quite made it along to anything yet, or you've been part of this community for years, your voice genuinely shapes what Befriend becomes. It's anonymous and takes just 3 to 5 minutes. If you've done it before, please do it again. Hearing how things shift for people over time is one of the most meaningful things we get to learn. No pressure at all, participation is entirely optional. And if you'd rather chat through it with someone, just give us a call or send us an email. We're happy to do it together. Take the survey here: https://lnkd.in/gCmi4FiX Or look out for a paper version at your local group. #CommunityImpact #SocialConnection #BefriendSurvey #PerthCommunity #CommunityWellbeing
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Have you ever thought, "I'd love to bring people together, but I'm unsure how to start..." If so, Hosting with Heart is for you. This is a 4-week workshop series through the Befriend Social Network, designed to support you in becoming a host and creating welcoming, inclusive and meaningful gatherings in your community. This series is for people who: - Have thought about hosting small, informal social groups but aren't sure where to begin - Are looking for purpose, connection or a meaningful way to give back to their community - Naturally notice others and want to help create spaces where people feel welcome - Like learning alongside others Mondays in May: 4, 11, 18 & 25 May 10am-12pm Halesworth Park Pavilion, Alkimos, Perth Places are fully funded by our partners at Minderoo Foundation and Department of Communities WA. All we ask is your commitment to the whole series in return. Spots are limited and we would love to see them filled with the right people, so if this resonates with you or someone in your network, please don't wait. Find out more and register your interest here: https://lnkd.in/gsmJ-VqV Or contact Debra Camilleri at debra@befriend.org.au If Alkimos is a little far for you, please still register your interest to help us shape what's next for this series. #CommunityDevelopment #SocialConnection #BelongingMatters #Perth #CommunityServices #Volunteering #MentalHealth #Inclusion
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