11/10/2026
Every year, we ask the Befriend community what’s changing for them, and this year, 422 people took the time to share their experiences with us. Thank you. Your stories, reflections and honesty help us understand the difference we’re all making together.
A few things stood out:
🌟 91% said they’ve met people who are different from them.
🌟 89% said they’ve made new friends.
🌟 87% feel more comfortable being themselves at Befriend events.
🌟 86% said they’ve learnt something new.
🌟 And 67% feel they’re making a valuable contribution to their community.
We can see we're reaching people from all walks of life; people of all ages, backgrounds, life experiences. We can see that Hosts and Co-Hosts report really strongly on feeling like they're making a valuable contribution, and that, the longer someone is connected to the Befriend community, the more likely they are to report that they've made friends that they see outside of Befriend Network activities.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
People bravely shared with us that they feel less lonely, more confident, well-supported through difficult times, that they've found people they can call on, discovered new interests and feel like they genuinely belong.
💬 “I feel more connected and less alone, like I have a place where I genuinely belong.”
💬 “I now have a network of people in my life who are there for me, for whatever I’m going through, through the best times and the toughest times.”
💬 "After my husband passed, I was lonely and frightened. Now I am happy and can mix with others who attend..."
We'll share more from the survey in good time, but, for now, we just wanted to remind you - don’t underestimate the impact you have on someone else.
It might be saving a seat for someone, showing up, being kind to a newcomer, letting someone know the Befriend community exists, hearing someone’s story with kindness, remembering someone’s name, making space for someone who might otherwise feel like they don’t belong.
These small acts add up.
They create the conditions for connection, friendship, confidence, belonging, happiness, support and kindness - and together, they’re helping shape a more connected Perth.
So here's to all of us - we're better, together 💛
