Community participation is the heart of what we do. Whether it is one person wanting to try something new, or a whole SIL house looking for a regular outing, we build the activity around the people taking part rather than running the same thing for everyone.
What is NDIS community access?
Community access is support to get out and take part in ordinary community life — social activities, sport, classes, shopping, appointments or simply somewhere other than home. It is funded in most plans under Core supports, in the Assistance with Social and Community Participation category.
Our guide to NDIS community participation explains how that funding works, including the difference between the Core version and the Capacity Building version that builds independence.
What can you do with community access support?
- Beach days, cafe trips and the quieter corners of the Gold Coast
- Shopping, markets and library visits
- Sport, gym, swimming and fitness
- Art, music and cooking activities
- Building confidence with public transport
- Appointments and errands, where getting there is the hard part
If what you want is not on that list, ask. Most of what we run started as somebody’s suggestion.
Can you run activities for a SIL house or group home?
Yes. SIL providers and group homes can ask us to plan and run a custom activity for their residents. Tell us how many people, what they are interested in and what support they need, and we build it from there.
- Group day trips and picnics
- Cooking and baking sessions, run in the house or at a venue
- Seasonal events — Christmas baking, Easter crafts, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day activities
- Regular weekly or fortnightly outings, so residents have something fixed to look forward to
If the activity is baking specifically, we also run sessions inside aged care and SIL facilities, bringing everything with us.
How do you request a group activity?
- Tell us the numbers. How many residents, their interests, and the support ratios you need.
- We send a plan. An activity outline, a risk assessment and a quote.
- We run it, and send a short summary afterwards for your records.
How is community access funded?
Usually from Core supports, under Assistance with Social and Community Participation. Group activities are claimed at group rates, which means the cost per participant is substantially lower than one-to-one support.
Where the aim is building a skill rather than taking part, Capacity Building funding may apply instead — our guide to Increased Social and Community Participation covers that category.
As with any community activity, support worker time is funded; entry fees, food and personal spending are the participant’s own.
Request an activity
Call 0451 115 196 or email info@careandculinary.com.au. SIL providers and support coordinators can send a referral and we will reply within one business day.