About Us
Better together
At Befriend, we believe in the transformative power of togetherness. In a world that often isolates, we quietly do the radical work of sparking connections and empowering people who want a greater sense of belonging to become active agents of change.
Born from our own experiences of disconnection, Befriend has blossomed into a vibrant movement of togetherness. What started as a simple wish for more meaningful connection has grown into a community of people who listen, learn, show up and weave belonging into everyday moments.
From warm conversations to unexpected friendships, every interaction helps build a community where everyone is valued and belongs. Because when it comes to belonging, we are better together.
A little about us
Befriend is a Perth-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to growing inclusive, connected, resilient communities. We connect with people from all walks of life to create social groups, neighbourhood gatherings and community-led projects where everyone can feel valued, connected and like they truly belong.
We believe the world is a much nicer place to live, work and play when we all belong, when we share the things we care about with others. Strong communities are made up of people just like you, people with unique stories, people of all ages and abilities, people new to a place, people at all stages of life. Through our connections, we discover new things about ourselves and the world around us.
And hey, we get it, putting yourself out there can feel daunting. That is why we started Befriend to do something simple and joyful, bring people together.
We work alongside local councils, organisations and community members to support everyone in seeing their role in the community in fresh ways and to find meaningful ways to contribute. Together, we can help make the world a more connected and inclusive place.
We are on a mission to nurture communities where everyone belongs. And that starts right here, right now, with you. We are just a friendly support act.
Our story
Befriend began with a simple idea: connection matters.
Founded by Nick Maisey in 2010, when he reached out to someone wanting to make new friends. Recognising that the world around him was increasingly disconnected and that so many of us are vulnerable to feelings of social isolation, he organised a small community gathering to bring people together.
From that small beginning grew the Befriend Social Network, a place where friendships form, creativity sparks and belonging is built, one friendly moment at a time.
Since 2010, Befriend has grown from a grassroots community group into a thriving social enterprise supporting connected communities through capacity-building, community development and collaborative projects across Australia.
Our impact
Our gatherings bring hundreds of people together, connecting thousands of residents. We have helped people become confident community connectors, supported organisations to think differently about connection and shared what we have learned about building belonging far and wide.
The most important lesson we have learned is this: belonging grows when people show up, listen and care. And that is what we do, every day.
Our values
We are warm, genuine and curious connectors, welcoming everyone into joyful, inclusive spaces where real relationships can grow naturally.
You can explore all of our values in more detail below.
Inclusion
We make space for everyone. All voices matter and we welcome people from every background and experience.
Authenticity
We keep it real. We share honestly, show up as ourselves and invite others to do the same.
Curiosity
We stay open to learning and exploring. We listen, ask questions and find joy in discovering new perspectives.
Fun
We believe connection should feel light and joyful. We enjoy shared experiences, laughter and the everyday moments that bring people together.
Sustainability
We care for people, communities and the world around us. Everything we do is thoughtful and mindful of the ripple effects we create.
Our values shape us
These values shape how we connect, how we create space for others and how we nurture thriving, inclusive communities.
How we create belonging
We do not try to fix loneliness or force connection. Instead, we create spaces and moments where connection can happen naturally, through shared experiences, friendly invitations and community-led gatherings.
Belonging grows when people show up, engage and care. That is what we help make possible.
Belonging starts with small steps. Join a local gathering, volunteer your time or simply say hello to a neighbour. Every connection matters and together we create communities where everyone can belong.
Because together, we belong.