Raising a glass to friendship

It is a simple concept — having a beer at your local — but one group has used it to help Hills men build a social network.

Josh Fordham has created a Hills group called Beer Buddy for dads to meet new people and make friends while having a casual drink.

It is a simple concept — having a beer at your local — but one group has used it to help Hills men build a social network.

Beer Buddy, an online platform for guys to arrange social catch ups, has taken the power of social media into the real world.

The idea was founded by Castle Hill resident Josh Fordham, who wanted a way to meet new people after emigrating from the UK with his wife and daughter last year.

“I didn’t know anyone here, which is obviously very normal,” he said.

“I joined the Hills District Dads (Facebook) group, got talking to other fathers, and decided to arrange a get together — that’s basically how Beer Buddy was born.”

About 30 people showed up to the initial get together in January, which made Mr Fordham realise that many locals felt the same way as he did.

“You can’t beat a face-to-face chat,” he said.

Josh Fordham has created a Hills group called Beer Buddy for dads to meet new people and make friends while having a casual drink.

Mr Fordham said Beer Buddy, which now has over 180 members, was suited to “guys who are busy with work or family, and maybe had lost contact with friends”.

“You get to a certain age, you settle down, you have family commitments and work and you lose contact with friends,” he said.

“You don’t go out as much, so it can be hard to meet new people.”

Mr Fordham and fellow organisers Ben Thomas, Andrew Schroder, Corey Scown, Ross Collin and Mike Rogers hope to hold casual catch-ups every few months.

The first one will be held this month at Castle Hill, with about 80 people expected to attend.

Staff from The Australian Hotel and Brewery will also be on hand to chat with guests about their brewing processes.

Aside from enjoying a beer with new friends, the social gathering will also raise money for beyondblue.

Local businesses have chipped in to pay for printed beer stubbies, which will be sold for $10 on the night, and The Australian Hotel and Brewery has donated a raffle prize.

What: Join local guys for a beer and meet some new friends

Where: Hillside Hotel, Castle Hill

When: The event will be held later this month.

Details: beerbuddyau.com

RSVP: For the date and time of the event and to RSVP, email [e-mail] or join the Facebook group.