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Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friendships can be enduring and can outlast any relationships that are based on romance. Platonic relationships are as important as romantic ones and are just as important for our psychological wellbeing. If you feel that you haven't spent as much time with your friends as you'd like this International Friendship Day could be an opportunity to reconnect. We asked about your work friendships and have added some to this page, see below 🤍
Nominate your work bestie 👫
Nominate your work bestie and be in with a chance of winning one of our £60 - Time Together Reward Cards, you can choose to have a meal together, drink cocktails, or visit the cinema to share a film together 🤍
Friendship - a key to happier living
The Value Of Friendships
Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friendships can be enduring and can outlast any relationships that are based on romance. Platonic relationships are as important as romantic ones and are just as important for our psychological wellbeing. If you feel that you haven't spent as much time with your friends as you'd like this International Friendship day could be an opportunity to reconnect.
Investment in Buddies pays Dividends
Good Friendships are beneficial to your wellbeing. And have even been proven to be good for your health. 'Having a close friend can decrease your risk of health problems like diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
Friends: Mary, Bernie, Junior and Sue
"Some people come into your life and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them. These three are not just my work friends, but my life long friends that I get the chance to work with every day. Working with them is the second bonus, being friends tightens our knot."
Healthy Behaviours are encouraged by friends. Having a companion for that walk, game of footie or having that person that looks out for you when you over indulge is indispensable. It's much easier to tackle a new challenge or activity with a friend who can offer support and encouragement.
Friends: Liberty and Anthony
"We instantly clicked from the moment we met! We both have a huge passion and excitement for life and what we do at work! A friendship very quickly blossomed, we love every moment together at work, but enjoy sharing life outside of work together as well! So much love is amazing!"
Friends help build self esteem. Good friends understand and know your struggles so are often your cheerleader when you feel nervous or are in doubt. Nervous about taking that next step or starting something new. Friends can help build your confidence providing that extra push that gets you over the finish line.
Friends: Suhail and Emily "Emily is a friend who makes the daily grind a little brighter, offers support when challenges arise and celebrates your successes as if they were their own. She is the type of colleague who becomes like family, making the workplace feel that little more enjoyable! Having the same weird sense of humour is just a bonus!"
Feeling Emotional? Supportive friends can help during the down times in life. A friendly listening ear can help you through the many transitions in life which will include some difficult times. Friends are also great to share happy times with. Happiness, like laughter only doubles when shared with a friend.
Friends: Amy and Livvii
"Amy is an absolute icon. She brings a smile to my face everytime I speak to her and she always knows what to say and has the best advice. I always love our shouting of 'DORIS' at each other - which lets be honest are you really friends if you don't have a silly nickname for each other? We met playing hockey through Emma (Amys sister) and have just got closer ever since, and after her pestering me to get a job at NEXT to join her I finally managed to!"
Be the Best you can be with friends that have great values. Cultivating relationships with people who help others and give their time generously will encourage you to develop those values too!
Friends: Genna and Siobhan
"Siobhan and I have been friends since we were 11. We grew up in the same village and went to the same secondary school together. We used to sit on the back seat of the school bus together every day till we left school.
We then both ended up working at NEXT together, we still live in walking distance from each other. Siobhan and I have many funny memories together and often reminisce about our school days."
Friendship - a key to happier living
Strengthen those connections
Friends can also increase your sense of belonging and purpose and relating is one of the 10 keys of happier living.
In order to live well and maintain your wellbeing there are some simple things that you can do to be proactive. Give yourself the best chance of being happy, healthy and connected. There are 10 keys in total, maybe focus on the 2 keys that link directly to friendship this friendship day. Remembering that friendship is two way is key. Relating to friends and Giving time to friends can enhance your life.
Celebrate your friendships with us
Thank you for sharing your work friendships with us. It was great to hear how you met and how you support each other. We'll add more photos as we approach International Friendship Day 📸
Katie & Kate
I joined NEXT in 2007 and in 2010 Kate Shelton joined NEXT. Here started the most beautiful friendship that I am truly grateful and blessed for. She literally is my BFF ( and we actually refer to each other as BFF!)
We've been together ( and inseparable) since she joined. Through all of life's ups and downs in the last 15 years. Boyfriend break Up's ( on both sides) which resulted in us living together for a short while. Bereavements, Marriages - I was honoured to be her Maid of Honour. Births ( literally there at the birth of her first child) who i'm godmother too. Then my first and her second child were born 6 weeks apart! We're part of each others families and without next we would never have met! She's been my biggest supporter - if it's running a marathon, taking on a new role at next or project or having a baby. There are no boundaries!
She's my absolute rock in life and the one who listens, rationalises, but also has my back when needed. We are guaranteed to always be on the dance floor and drinking champagne together! Unconditional love and acceptance as well as being each other's biggest advocate in life!
Priyanka & Madiha
Shoutout to my work bestie, Madiha — the real MVP of my 9-to-5 (and sometimes 9-to-midnight ). From surviving my daily meltdowns, ensuring we don’t skip lunch , scheduling mandatory coffee breaks , and patiently listening to my never-ending stories — she does it all with kindness and a smile.
She’s the late-night therapist, the carpool queen , and the hype woman I never knew I needed. Honestly, work wouldn’t be the same (or half as fun) without her!
Thanks for being calm to my chaos, Madiha!
Nick & Jo
Jo is my go-to guru when I need a business fix, she’s always the first one I call. But outside of work, she brings just as much value! Her laugh is infectious, her company is full of fun, and she’s one of those brilliant people who can instantly lift your mood and make you smile.
Sarah & Victoria
We are each other's sounding board, sanity checkers, cheerleaders and partners in crime.... work soulmates!
Claudia & Claire
I met Claudia at work about 28 years ago, how time flies. We have been there for each other during the highs and the lows and we've had some fun times along the way, raising money for charity, visiting lovely places and generally sharing great times like besties do!!
Claire & Sean
Having been at Next for nearly 20 years, I've made some great connections, but one friendship, is full of cheekiness and fun, and truly one of a kind. It often feels more like a mother-and-son relationship. I can always guarantee fun, laughter, and a lot of cheek with Sean around.
Often we nip out for lunch break Greggs or Maccies (even though i am doing slimming world)
Sean has also become a cherished part of my out-of-work 'mates,' and we often meet up out of work. Normally it means Sean needs my help in his business venture.
Lynne & Anna
My friend Lynne was one of the first people I met when I first joined Next 12 years ago and we’ve been firm friends ever since, through the good and not so good times but always putting the world to rights. Our love of live music, sporting events and celebrity spotting has meant we have had lots of laughs and fun along the way… here’s to plenty more memories to come.
Loren & Danique
Danique and I have been friends for 10 years, from the first week I started working in the Nursery. Apparently, my Dr Who phone cover got her wanting to chat to me! From there we have gone through all of our lives ups and downs together. This photo show us at Danique’s wedding where she asked me to be bridesmaid. I sadly had to leave the Nursery 3 years ago when my lifelong Liver disease meant I just could not keep up the immense energy needed for the Nursery job. I moved to Directory and now Business Systems and I am excited to say our friendship can keep flourishing as I had a new liver donated in June. So far I am improving every day with the laughter and support from Danique. It’s onwards and upwards from here. Thanks for the laughs Danique, love from Loren.
Katy & Genna
We have been friends for twenty years now and have shared some wonderful memories including sharing our weddings, big birthday celebrations and the birth of our 5 daughters who are all best friends. Also we have been on wonderful holidays, including a holiday to Disneyland Paris where we surprised the kids. We are also godparents to each others little ones.
Layla & Gulnaz
Fifteen years ago, I met Gulnaz in Business Systems and was in awe of her glamorous, perfectly coordinated outfit.
Little did I know that the woman who impressed me with her style would become one of the most important people in my life.
She truly is one of a kind. Such a good person.
She is thoughtful, supportive and always there to listen to my worries without judgment. She always gives me her honest opinion and even if it's not what I want to hear, I value her thoughts which makes me view things in a different light.
Gemma & Mel
We have been friends for nearly 14 years after meeting at a bar we both worked in.
We have been on many nights out, holidays and been around to see each other buy our first home, become dog mums and get married .
Click the dropdown on the photo to find out more about some of your colleagues friendships.
Have you seen someone at work who doesn't appear to be themselves? Have you wondered if you could help but have felt uncertain if you could or should?
We have lots of support available to help you support your colleagues. Click here to find out how.
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