We are Start with a Friend from Hanover. SwaF is a nationwide organization that has been bringing people together since 2015 who rarely find each other in everyday life. We create personal encounters between people with and without a history of immigration. Our vision is a society that embraces its diversity. Everyone feels comfortable and has an equal say in shaping it. And you can be a part of it!
Do you live in Hanover? Do you want to get to know new people and strengthen the community?
Here's your chance :)
Take on a 1:1 tandem friendship with a person with a history of immigration. The focus here is on the friendly relationship. You meet as equals and do what friends do. Do whatever you feel like doing, get to know the city together and of course come to our SwaF community events <3 Of course, you can support each other as needed. Whether it's helping each other get settled or learning the language better together.
What we want from you as a local is openness, tolerance and a little patience. Getting to know new people is incredibly enriching, but sometimes also a challenge. It is very helpful to be open to a change of perspective.
Start with a Friend connects immigrants and locals in tandems based on interests and needs. Ideally, a friendship develops out of this, but in any case, a social network is created that makes it easier for immigrants to have a good start in Germany. Start with a Friend accompanies and advises the tandems after the matching and organises events to bring the tandems into contact with each other. It is also important to us to create structures in which people can get involved, even if they are tied up in their work and family life. The time schedule is therefore flexible; further training courses are offered but are optional. So far, Start with a Friend is available in 21 cities nationwide.
More about the organisation