0414 851 688 Make a referral

Out and about · Social & community

Social & community participation

Support to leave the house and do something you actually want to do. The gym, the footy, a course, a coffee with a mate, a weekend away.

Make a referral Call 0414 851 688
Two people playing basketball on an outdoor court, one of them using a wheelchair.

What it is

Community participation is whatever community means to you.

For some people it is a busy calendar: a gym session Monday, TAFE on Wednesday, basketball Saturday. For others it is one reliable coffee a week with the same person, at the same cafe, because that is what makes the week feel liveable.

We do not run a day centre that everyone gets bussed to. We start with what you are interested in, or what you used to be interested in and lost touch with, and we build support around that. If you do not know yet, that is a fine place to start too. Trying things is part of the work.

Support can be one-to-one, or in a small group of two or three people who actually get on. Groups are cheaper per hour, which stretches your plan further.

What this support looks like

  • Sport and fitness. Gym programs, swimming, walking groups, all-abilities football, basketball, martial arts, dance.
  • Learning. TAFE, short courses, adult literacy, a computer class, a driving lesson, a library card.
  • Hobbies and creative. Art classes, music, choir, gaming groups, gardening, photography, cooking classes.
  • Just being social. Coffee, the pub, the movies, a gig, someone's birthday, the local market.
  • Faith and culture. Getting to church, mosque, temple, cultural events and community groups.
  • Holidays and events. Support to go to a concert, a footy game, a weekend away or a family wedding.
  • Volunteering and work. Finding and keeping a volunteer role, or support alongside open employment.
  • Travel training. Learning a bus or tram route until you can do it on your own, the goal being that you no longer need us for it.

Not sure this is the right support? That is a normal place to start. Ring us on 0414 851 688 and describe an ordinary week. We will tell you which supports fit, including when the answer is a different provider.

A trainer guiding a young woman with Down syndrome through a boxing session in a gym.

How it is delivered

One-to-one, small group, or a bit of both.

  1. One-to-one support

    A worker just for you. Best when you are building confidence, need personal care while you are out, or want to do something specific rather than whatever the group is doing.

  2. Small group support

    Two or three participants with one or two workers, matched on interests and how people get along, not just who happened to be free. Your plan goes considerably further per hour, and for a lot of people the other participants are the actual point.

  3. Travel and transport

    We can drive you, meet you there, or teach you the route. Workers use their own insured vehicles or your modified one. Transport is charged separately and we will always tell you what it will cost before the trip.

Getting started

How it works

  1. You get in touch

    Call, email or send the referral form. Participants, families, support coordinators and allied health are all welcome. You do not need anyone's permission to contact us.

  2. We talk it through, free of charge

    What you need, when you need it, and what your plan funds. In person, on the phone or over video. We will be straight with you about what we can and cannot do.

  3. You meet your worker

    We shortlist support workers who suit your needs, your interests and your household. You meet them before anything is locked in.

  4. Support starts, and keeps adjusting

    We put it in writing, then check in at four weeks and quarterly after that. Change the hours, the days or the worker whenever you need to.

Paying for it

Where this sits in your NDIS plan

Core: Assistance with Social, Economic & Community Participation The main budget for this support. Usually flexible across your whole Core funding.
Core: Transport Getting to and from activities, where transport funding is in your plan.
Capacity Building: Increased Social & Community Participation Skill development, travel training, and building the capability to participate independently.

Core funding is usually flexible, so in many plans this can be drawn from the same pool as your in-home support. We will help you read your plan and work out what is realistic across the year.

Questions

Things people ask us

No. Plenty of our participants only ever have one-to-one support, and that is a completely legitimate choice. We will mention groups if we think you would enjoy one, and you can say no without it becoming a conversation.

Very common, and genuinely fine. We start with a conversation about what you used to enjoy, what you have never had the chance to try, and what you definitely do not want. Then we try a few things. Nobody is locked into anything.

You do. The NDIS funds your support worker's time, not your gym membership, movie ticket or lunch. Your worker's own entry cost is covered where a venue charges them to accompany you. We will always be upfront about what a day out will cost you.

Yes. Our workers who transport participants hold a full Victorian licence, a comprehensively insured and roadworthy vehicle, and their insurer's confirmation that they are covered to carry passengers for work. If you have a modified vehicle, workers can drive that instead.

Usually yes, and we are happy to coordinate with the other provider so the two workers are not duplicating or working at cross purposes. It takes one phone call.

Yes. That is when most social things actually happen, so it is a normal part of what we roster. Weekend, evening and public holiday rates are higher under the NDIS Price Guide and we will work the cost out with you in advance.

Something not answered here? Call 0414 851 688 or send us a message. We would rather you asked.

You may also need

Other supports we provide

In-home support

Daily living, personal care, and building skills at home.

Learn more

Ready when you are

Let's get you out and doing something.

No obligation, no sales pitch, and no charge for the conversation. If we are not the right provider we will say so.

Make a referral Call 0414 851 688