Inspired Magazine vol 3

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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 60 NICK MAISEY
attend them. “They do almost anything you can imagine an Australian doing on their weekend,” Nick says. “And it can be [attending] something simple like that, that makes such a difference to someone’s day or week. It’s a starting point, an opportunity. What you do with that opportunity is up to you.” JOY Befriend informs its network of upcoming Befriend gatherings via its website and an email newsletter and operates a simple RSVP service. It supports hosts to host their own Befriend gatherings and continues to welcome an ever-expanding pool of people looking for friendship. Perhaps nowhere is the success of Befriend more evident than at its annual ball in which people from across the Befriend network come together for a night of exuberant dancing, laughter and joy at having experienced genuine connection and friendship. MAGIC OF CONNECTION Befriend has resulted in several marriage proposals among people who’ve met at Befriend events, it has sparked friendships which thrive even outside the Befriend gatherings, it has reminded everyone of the simple magic of experiencing connection with a fellow human. “I think a lack of connection is one of the biggest issues we face in society,” Nick says. “It’s something that can shape every day of your life. It’s something that sits in your gut when you wake up in the morning. It’s something that shapes all of your hopes and dreams for the future. So there’s something really special in seeing people truly connect, regardless of our backgrounds, regardless of our ethnicity, regardless of our health, disabilities or the labels others put on us. It’s almost impossible to explain the magic of the Befriend community. It’s something you really have to witness.” Get in<strong>vol</strong>ved Find out more about Befriend and make plans to get in<strong>vol</strong>ved at www.befriend.org.au. Above left Weekly knitting and crocheting means members can catch up often and work on their projects. Above The monthly Subiaco sizzle is Befriend’s longest running event. Left The annual ball is the highlight of the Befriend social calendar. Opposite page, top Nick Maisey, Befriend director. Opposite page, left Members connect over shared interests like cooking. NICK MAISEY 61
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ISSUE 3, 2018 $14.95 NEPAL’S LOST
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Issue 3, 2018 PUBLISHERS Samille Mi
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Page 32 and 33: Top The antics of the Matang Wildli
Page 34 and 35: Conor Grennan American man Conor Gr
Page 36 and 37: Above Overlooking Kathmandu. After
Page 38 and 39: In Conor’s words ... Who inspires
Page 40 and 41: Rochelle Courtenay Pad lady PROVIDE
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Page 44 and 45: Love Bomb Send some love into the w
Page 46 and 47: Moira Kelly Moira Kelly HELPING DES
Page 48 and 49: Above Moira in Botswana. Right Moir
Page 50 and 51: Above (left to right) Trishna, Moir
Page 52 and 53: If we can't be nice we should just
Page 54: Linda Buller Linda Buller has dedic
Page 57 and 58: mental home by 23, divorced at 24.
Page 60 and 61: Nick Maisey GROWING THE MAGIC OF CO
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Page 70 and 71: Above A local Cambodia girl. Above
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