NDIS community participation support helps you get out, join in and feel part of your community. Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), it pays for a support worker to help you take part in the activities, hobbies and interests that matter to you. At Serene Disability Support, we’re a registered NDIS provider supporting people with disabilities across New South Wales to build social connections, try new things and build confidence along the way.
What is NDIS community participation?
Community participation is about taking part in everyday community life, the same as anyone else. That might mean joining a local group, going to the shops, catching a movie or giving volunteer work a try. For many NDIS participants, the hardest part is getting started, whether that’s travel, anxiety, communication or simply not knowing where to begin.
A support worker can help you plan the outing, get there and settle in. Over time, the aim is for you to need less help and feel more at home in your community.
NDIS social and community participation: how the funding works
Social and community participation is usually funded from the core support budget in your NDIS plan, under assistance with social, economic and community participation. This covers support worker hours, so someone can be with you at activities and events.
Some plans also include capacity building funding for increased social and community participation. This is more about skill development, so you can do more for yourself over time. Innovative community participation is another option, where support is built around a specific community or mainstream activity.
A few things to know about community participation funding:
- It pays for your support worker’s time, not the cost of the activity
- Tickets, memberships and entry fees are usually your own costs
- The number of hours you get depends on your plan and your NDIS goals
- You can ask for more at your plan review if your needs have changed
Community activities we can support
Every person is different, so your support is shaped around your hobbies and interests. Depending on your plan, we can help with:
- Social groups and local groups, like art classes, book clubs or men’s and women’s groups
- Sport and fitness, from the gym and swimming to watching the footy
- Learning, including TAFE courses, literacy programs and digital literacy, like using a phone or the internet
- Volunteering, such as a community garden, an op shop or a local charity
- Local events and cultural events, including markets, festivals and celebrations in your community
- Everyday outings, like the shops, the library, a café or visiting friends
Why community participation matters for wellbeing
Social inclusion helps reduce the isolation and loneliness that can wear down mental health. Regular community engagement also gives you a sense of belonging, a routine to look forward to and a chance to practise living skills like budgeting and communication.
Finding the right support worker
The right support worker makes all the difference. We match you with someone who suits your interests, personality and language, and we keep your team small so you see familiar faces. We’re a CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) team, with multilingual staff and interpreters for any language, and our care is overseen by a registered nurse, so health needs and personal care can be supported while you’re out too. If you’d also like help at home, take a look at our daily living and life skills support.
Getting started with community participation
The first step is a chat. Give us a call and we’ll talk about what you’d like to do, what’s in your NDIS plan and how we can help. We’ll call you back within one business day. You can also browse all of our NDIS services to see how community participation fits with other supports.