Friendships play a bigger role in our well-being than we often realise. Friends help us through life’s ups and downs, bring meaning to everyday moments and give us a sense of belonging.
International Day of Friendship, celebrated on 30 July, is a reminder to pause and appreciate the people who shape our lives.
Sam Bell, founder of Courageous Girls Club, which supports school-aged girls, said friendships take time to build, but that there were simple ways to be open to new connections.
“You don’t have to be the funniest or most outgoing person in the room to make friends,” Sam said. “Take time to notice shared interests, join in naturally and show interest in others by asking questions.”
Building new friendships often comes down to putting yourself out there. Showing up, being open and taking a genuine interest in others helps conversations flow and connections form.
Building Friendships at Every Stage of Life
Shared activities can make it easier to connect with others. For adults, joining a sports team, volunteering, attending community events or becoming part of a hobby group can create opportunities to expand your circle. If you have children, school communities can also be a great way to meet people. Joining the school Facebook or WhatsApp group and organising relaxed catch-ups at a playground could help both you and your children make new friends.
For children and teenagers, friendships often grow through shared interests. School clubs, sporting activities and library programs focused on interests such as Minecraft, coding, crafting or reading could help young people connect with others who enjoy the same things.
Friendship remains important as we age, although maintaining social connections can become more challenging due to changes in health, mobility or life circumstances.
Opal Halliday, General Manager of St John Community Services, highlighted the importance of friendships and community connections as we grow older.
“Helping older people to stay engaged in their communities not only boosts their mental wellbeing, it also gives them purpose and a sense of belonging,” Opal said. “Friendships and social connections are important at every stage of life, and sometimes people just need a little support to stay involved, whether that’s a phone call, a home visit or support getting to an appointment or social outing.”
On International Friendship Day, it is worth reflecting on the friendships we already have and making space for new ones to grow.
Find out more about Courageous Girls Club and St John Community Services.
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