Looking Back on Our Third Quarter of 2021
Hi friends!
Believe it or not, we’ve reached the last 3 months of the year! Q3 was a really busy time here at Friendzone. We launched new events in new neighbourhoods, welcomed new pals onto the team, and connected with new (and old) friends.
Take a look back at July, August and September 2021 with us!
Neighbourhoods Matter
In August, we hosted Neighbourhoods Matter - a presentation of findings from our impact report! Our Evaluation team has been hard at work crunching the numbers and speaking to past Friendzone participants to gather insight into how our work is shaping neighbourhoods and young adults all across Singapore.
Curious about what we uncovered? Read more here - and if your organisation would like to work with Friendzone, contact us at partnerships@friendzone.sg!
Stay Hopeful Notice
In September, we launched - Stay Hopeful Notice (#SHN), a new series of neighbourhood events co-organised with REACH!
Don’t worry, the only thing Friendzone’s version of SHN has in common with its namesake is that you can participate from the comfort of your own home ;) These events are just like our flagship neighbourhood events, with the added aim of reflecting on how COVID 19 has impacted our lives and how we can move forward together as a community. SHN events have the added bonus of being open to a slightly younger audience - anyone aged 16-25!
It’s only been a month, but we’ve visited Marine Parade, Queenstown, Marsiling and Stevens, Newton, Novena, Pek Kio & Tekka - with loads more to come! It’s been truly heartwarming to hear people discussing the ups and downs of the last 1.5 years, and to leave the event with a more hopeful outlook on the future. Coming together as a community can give us new perspectives on our situations. There is so much we can learn from one another 🥰
Aside from #SHN, we’ve been running our usual neighbourhood events online - and of course, Friendzone Fridays on the first Friday of every month. Want to sign up for one of them? Head here to register for all the exciting things we have lined up!
Team Updates
This quarter, the Friendzone team had a growth spurt! We welcomed new interns, trainees and full-timers onto our team. It’s been a blast!
Workplace restrictions have changed over the past few months 😥Thankfully, we had windows of time where the team could come together for in-person work days at our co-working spaces - and sometimes cafes. Working remotely has had its challenges, but hanging out on gather.town allows us to meet virtually - and is a welcome break from Zoom meetings!
Something new that the Friendzone team has adopted is #friendfriend! Once a week, we get paired with a different colleague, and spend some time that week getting to know one another. Scheduling #friendfriend sessions into our work calendars has been a great way to take a quick break, and allows us to get to know one another as genuine pals. Going beyond the surface helps us to work together better too - it’s a lot easier to have discussions, share ideas and solve problems when the people you work with are more than just acquaintances.
TikTok
Speaking of socials, you may have noticed that we started a TikTok! ✨ Follow us at @friendzone.sg for fun, vibe-y videos on friendships and neighbourliness - and maybe even some behind-the-scenes content!
Moving Forward
With rising COVID cases and having to adapt to ever-changing restrictions, Q3 has been anything but smooth-sailing. Here at Friendzone, we’ve been all the more thankful for the bright spots that our work allows us to experience. The power of community and connection are as tangible as ever - regardless of dining restrictions! What’s more, meeting online doesn’t dampen the experience. If you’d like to see it for yourself, do join us at an event in the coming months!
The road ahead may be uncertain, and you may be weary from the path you’ve travelled so far - but we’re all in this together. We encourage you to reach out to friends and family. Support one another through the valleys, and celebrate the joys! We promise that community is closer than you think, and can make even the darkest of circumstances a little brighter. Onwards to the end of 2021! 🌤
😱 Socialising is often an introvert's worse nightmare. That’s why we created Friendzone—a place where making friends is both fun AND easy! Read on to see how our events turn awkward small talk into real connections with meaningful convos 💬