REIMAGINING POSSIBILITIES
Beyond what we see
“The more beautiful world our hearts know IS possible”
WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY FELLOWSHIP?
The Possibility Fellowship was dreamt up by Befriend team members Nicola and Peter back in 2020. They wanted to provide a safe and nourishing space for people to learn more about life, about community, about each other, and to discover what they most care about.
And so, The Possibility Fellowship was born! A 12 week program where together, we explore new ways of looking at the world, with all its complexity!
This course is filled with both creative practice and theory. Some of your presumptions might be challenged, and you might be stretched. It’s personal, interactive and a little wild… there’s a danger you could become more cheerful and want to dance!
WHAT WILL YOU DISCOVER?
- Gift Discovery (Discover what’s uniquely meaningful to you, and why giving your gift is key to a fulfilling and connected life)
- Storytelling (Grow bridges of empathy between you and me, us and them)
- Complexity (See living as opportunity for creative adaptation in every moment)
- Warm Data (Appreciate information that is alive, can’t be measured and is very real)
- Social Entrepreneurship (Explore how to creatively meet the double bind of doing good in the world while providing for yourself and your family)
POSSIBILITY PRACTICE 2025
Free Fortnightly Online Gatherings
Join us for Possibility in Practice – gentle, open conversations exploring what’s emerging in our personal and community work.
Each session offers a spacious, welcoming environment to reflect, connect, and be present. We’ve begun sharing short readings from Combining by Nora Bateson as gentle prompts, but there’s no set theme or preparation needed—just come as you are.
You’re welcome to speak, share, or simply listen.
IS THE POSSIBILITY FELLOWSHIP FOR ME?
You will likely get a lot of value from this program if you:
Are already working or volunteering in community spaces (or you’d like to!)
Are troubled by all the complex and ‘wicked’ problems our society faces
Are at a pivotal point in your life where you’re looking for ‘the next thing’
Are deeply committed to exploring a life of belonging, meaning and purpose
Peter and Nicola always have a friendly conversation with anyone who expresses interest in participating in the The Possibility Fellowship. This will allow you to make sure it’s a good fit.
“I feel like a trampled blossom that has suddenly been revived with so much nurture. You and Nicola gently beckon me to show up as I am. And actually find value in my journey.” – Sharon Soares
“Your endless creativity during this Course has given us surprises all along the way. This was a course without a detectable rudder, steering us unerringly toward our own greater identity and therefore our greater inspiration.” – Carla van Raay
“When I started I was in limbo. Do I walk back on the path I was going on, or do I try to find something different, something new? I learned that my community work doesn’t have to be grand, that it can start from the people all around me. The Fellowship experience gave me clarity about my gifts and confidence to give them.” – Leo Wu
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Peter and Nicola-Jane le Breton are Befriend Hosts and Thinking Partners at Befriend. Both Nicola and Peter are Warm Data Lab Hosts certified by the International Bateson Institute in Sweden, and in the last couple of years, have introduced the Befriend community to a number of Warm Data Lab conversations.
Peter le Breton
Peter has experience in business, government and academia. He is a warrior for social justice, freedom and human potential. He has a PhD in Transformative Studies from California Institute of Integral Studies and awards from Murdoch University and the Australian Government for outstanding contributions to student learning. Peter is a Core Gift Discovery Master Facilitator.
Nicola le Breton
Nicola has a passion for nurturing authentic relationships and safe spaces in which people can open their hearts and minds and reflect together on what matters. She has Diplomas in Community Services and in Conservation & Land Management and is a graduate of Storytelling Beyond Words, at Emerson College in the UK. She is a Certified Trainer and Advanced Master Facilitator of the Core Gift Discovery™ process.
COURSE BOOK
You will need to purchase a copy of Combining by Nora Bateson. The book gives you access to themes and activities throughout the course. Combining has something for everyone. A blend of essays, stories, poetry and graphic art, an invitation to nurture genuine connections and explore “Warm Data” – the interrelationships that integrate elements of every complex system.
Buying the book won’t be an additional cost, as you are welcome to deduct the price of the book from your course fees and/or any exchange arrangements.
Our vision is an inclusive, connected world. We exist to spark human connection between people from diverse backgrounds, to grow inclusive communities in which all people are valued and belong.
FAQs
And if you still can’t find what you’re looking for, please do get in touch!
“Would the Fellowship be suitable for me if I don’t have a particular project in mind?”
Absolutely. The most important attribute is that you care for others and are passionate about community, by which we mean living well together. Previous Fellows ranged from those who were uncertain of their direction and what to do next, to those who have been involved with a project for a long time and looking for new possibilities within their field.
“Forms aren’t really my thing… how in-depth do you want my application to be?”
Your application serves two purposes. It gives us a taste of who you are, what you have done, and what you care about. And it gives you a chance to reflect on how the Fellowship might benefit you. We highly recommend you keep your responses as brief as you like. The last thing we want to do is make it hard for you to apply for the Fellowship. We’re also super-happy to fill out the form on your behalf during a phone chat.
“I love this, but money is SO tight right now and I can’t afford it...”
We know that money is tight for many people. Fortunately, the Fellowship is a partially funded course, and we can offer deep discounts. We’re also open to periodic payments, exchange arrangements and in-kind contributions. We ask you to offer what you want to and can afford. We will always do what we can to make it possible for you to join us if you are passionate about living with integrity and generosity and learning together.
“What sort of time commitment is involved? Is there homework?”
You do you! We strongly encourage you to attend all sessions of the Fellowship, and we also understand that “life happens”, and occasionally you may need to miss a session. How much time you spend nurturing your ‘possibility project’ between sessions is totally up to you. We suggest allowing a couple of hours per week to meet up with other fellows (online or in person), to deepen your connections with each other and dive deeper into some of the creative and reflective activities we will share with you. We will offer a rotating roster of triads to support diverse connections throughout your journey.
“I’m a bit nervous about having to do a presentation at the end…”
We get that public speaking is not everyone’s jam, and we want to assure you that the final glimpse sharing is fun, playful and low-pressure! It’s just a bunch of friendly people coming together and sharing what each feels passionately about… perhaps with a story, a game, an activity or even (if you’re so inclined) some slides. And you can always team-up with another fellow or opt-out. It’s your journey and your choice.