Inspired Magazine vol 3

In Nick’s words ...
Who inspires me
I am inspired by the many people who get
up every day, and do all of the big and little
things for and with others, that form the
foundations of community.
Best motto
One of my favourite quotes is this gem from the
wise Margaret Wheatley: “Human conversation
is the most ancient and easiest way to cultivate
the conditions for change – personal change,
community and organisational change, planetary
change. If we can sit together and talk about what’s
important to us, we begin to come alive.”
just one aspect of who I am, it shouldn’t limit my
opportunities to meet other people who don’t have
a disability’.”
BEFRIEND SOCIAL CLUB
After six months of investigation Nick decided
to launch Befriend as a simple social club that
would welcome anyone of any background to get
together through social gatherings. He started with
a series of Sunday barbecues in a park.
About 20 people attended that first barbecue
on a sunny day in 2010. Many of the people
were those whom Nick had interviewed for more
information on social isolation, after he’d met
Tim. Others were new to Perth. One woman had
broken up with a long-term partner and was
seeking a new friendship circle. Others were young
adults looking for a new social experience. They
ate, they laughed, they chatted. And, in that
simple barbecue, strangers experienced the
magic of connection.
EXPLOSION OF DEMAND
Soon demand grew so great that Nick began
to enlist friends to help host events. Then those
who attended Befriend events began to host their
own events, with Befriend’s support. Today, seven
years after it started in that Subiaco park, 6000
people are connected through the Befriend Social
Network, attending some 30 to 40 Befriend events
across Perth every month.
They meet to eat together, attend events, walk
their dogs, sing sea shanties, do yoga, play
music – activities as varied as the people who
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NICK MAISEY