What we’re about
Welcome to Friendshift!
Looking to build healthier and more meaningful friendships? Welcome to Friendshift!
What are we about?
It's normal to talk about friendship here - whether you are looking to improve your existing relationships, make new friends, get advice on how to handle a specific issue in one of your friendships, or learn how to handle social anxiety, this group is dedicated to helping you enhance your social circle and empower yourself in the process, with a supportive community of like-minded people!
Who is it for?
This group is for thoughtful over-30s who are figuring out how to connect with like-minded individuals, to develop lasting, supportive, meaningful relationships, and to handle some of the most common friendship challenges we all experience.
When?
At the moment we meet for an hour's 'lunch and learn' session on Wednesday lunchtimes (GMT+1), and sometimes host other ad-hoc events as well.
What do we cover?
Anything and everything! Our programme is community-led - you say what's on your mind when it comes to friendship and connection, and we'll design a session to help. From working out who's worthy of your time and energy, to getting past 'small talk' so you can have 'real talk,' to handling the fear of rejection, we cover a range of topics to help you cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime.
How much does it cost?
It's free to join the group, and most of our events are free as well. If you've benefitted from my sessions and are willing and able to, then please do consider buying me a coffee every now and then! I pay out each month to use MeetUp to host these sessions - your contributions will help keep them free, and accessible to as many people as possible :-)
Want more?
MeetUp is amazing for hosting events and making new connections, but the tech has its limits. We want to be able to carry on our conversations as a community in real time, ask questions in-between sessions, host small discussion groups, create a 'learning library' of videos, downloads, mini-courses and more - to support our learning journey. Even connect with each other in the real world too. We're trialling new community platform that will let us do all of this and more - come and join us! Become a Community Builder and get a two month free trial, an access-all-areas pass, and a front row seat while we build something incredible. See you there!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- When Things Go Wrong: How To Handle Conflict In Our Closest RelationshipsLink visible for attendees
Very few of us feel comfortable handling tensions, disagreements and conflict in our relationships. What can we do when it happens? In this session, we'll run through some simple techniques that we can use to calmly diffuse tension, resolve differences, and move forward with confidence.
What is a Lunch and Learn session?
Lunch & Learn sessions are weekly, hour-long community get-togethers, held on a Wednesday lunchtime (UK time). Each week we explore a different topic related to friendship and other forms of platonic connection, and the conversation takes us where it takes us! Conversations are semi-structured / facilitated, but not restrictive - if the group wants to talk about something different, then that's where we'll go! I always try to save a bit of time towards the end in case anyone is dealing with a particular issue relating to their friendships that they'd like to share with the group and seek support.Who is it for?
Anyone interested in learning more about friendship & connection, as well as meeting new people in safe, welcoming space! Because of my own experience, I tend to focus more on issues experienced by independent types - many of whom are currently single / solo - aged over 30. But you don't have to be this demographic to attend - if the topic sounds interesting and useful to you, then you are very welcome :-)Why should I attend?
- A chance to meet other people who are on the same learning journey as you.
- Walk away with practical advice that's already been tried and tested by your peers.
- Opportunity to seek advice and support from the group around any friendship issues you're facing, if you'd like to.
What if I'm worried about talking on camera / taking part?
It's absolutely fine to get involved in Lunch & Learn sessions in a way that feels comfortable for you. As this is a discussion group, we learn best by sharing ideas, and hearing about each other's experiences. But if you'd prefer to start out by listening in with your camera off until you feel a bit more confident, then that's absolutely fine! You won't be put on the spot, or asked to put your camera on. I sometimes put participants into smaller breakout groups to aid learning - if this happens, I'll mention it in advance so that you can decide whether you want to take part, or rejoin the group later.Your Facilitator
Hannah Carmichael OBE is a yoga-loving mum-of-one with a coffee addiction, and founder of Friendshift Coaching. As a reformed 'awkward type,' Hannah loves nothing more than to see those she works with find the confidence to be their authentic selves, while building vibrant, wholehearted connections into their lives. Hannah runs more events over at the Friendshift Inner Circle. - Foundations of Trust: How To Cultivate Healthy, Confident Friendships That LastLink visible for attendees
We all know that trust is the cornerstone of strong relationships. But what IS trust, really? How is it made, how is it broken, and what steps can we take to build healthy, trust-based friendships with those around us?
What is a Lunch and Learn session?
Lunch & Learn sessions are fortnightly, hour-long community get-togethers, held on a Wednesday lunchtime (UK time). In each session, Hannah hosts a conversation about a different aspect of modern friendships. Conversations are semi-structured / facilitated, but not restrictive - we'll look at questions, share ideas, explore tools and techniques, but if the group wants to go in a different direction, then that's where we'll go. We're sometimes able to spend time on specific issues that those attending are experiencing in their friendships.Who is it for?
Anyone interested in learning more about friendship & connection in safe, welcoming space! Hannah's events tend attract thoughtful, reflective, independent types - most of whom are aged over 30 - people who like deep / interesting conversations, and prefer to connect in more stereotypically introverted / lower-key ways. But you don't have to be this demographic to attend - if the topic sounds interesting and useful to you, then you are very welcome :-)Why should I attend?
- A chance to meet other people who are on the same learning journey as you.
- Walk away with practical advice that's already been tried and tested by your peers.
- Opportunity to seek advice and support on friendship issues that you're facing
What if I'm worried about talking on camera / taking part?
It's absolutely fine to get involved in Lunch & Learn sessions in a way that feels comfortable for you. As this is a discussion group, we learn best by sharing ideas, and hearing about each other's experiences. But if you'd prefer to start out by listening in with your camera off until you feel a bit more confident, then that's absolutely fine! You won't be put on the spot, or asked to put your camera on. I sometimes put participants into smaller breakout groups to aid learning - if this happens, I'll mention it in advance so that you can decide whether you want to take part, or rejoin the group later.Your Facilitator
Hannah Carmichael OBE is a yoga-loving mum-of-one with ADHD and a serious coffee addiction. As a reformed 'awkward type,' Hannah loves nothing more than to see those she works with find the confidence to be their authentic selves, while building vibrant, wholehearted connections into their lives.Want to continue the conversation?
We're building better friendships! See more over at the Friendshift Inner Circle.
