How is community participation funded by the NDIS?
Community participation is usually funded from the Assistance with Social, Economic and Community Participation category of your Core supports budget.
This covers the support worker's time while they help you take part in activities. The cost of the activity itself, such as a cinema ticket, gym membership or cafe meal, is generally paid by you. Your worker's own entry costs are something to discuss and agree on before you go.
Group-based community activities have different price limits to one-to-one support. Some plans also include Capacity Building funding for Increased Social and Community Participation, which focuses on building skills. Our post on making the most of Capacity Building funding explains the difference.
Travel to and from activities may be claimed under separate transport rules. Ask us how this works with your plan.
What happens during a community participation session?
A community participation session is time with your worker doing an activity you have chosen, often with planning and travel included.
For example, someone who loves football might spend a Saturday afternoon catching the train to a local game with their worker. They plan the trip together, buy snacks and talk about the match on the way home. Another person might spend a weekday morning at a community garden, then do a small grocery shop.
Sessions can be regular, like a weekly swim, or one-off, like a festival or concert. Your worker helps with whatever you need along the way, including personal care, communication and staying safe.
Over time, many people use these sessions to try new things and build their own networks.
How does Enrichment Care match community participation workers?
We match community workers on shared interests first, along with language, culture, personality and care needs.
A good outing feels easy when you and your worker enjoy the same things. If you love cricket, cooking shows or anime, tell us. We look for workers who share those interests and live near you.
You receive worker profiles before you choose, then meet your preferred worker at a meet and greet. That first meeting is a good time to talk about places you want to go and what kind of support helps you most.
Our carers come from more than 30 cultural and minority backgrounds, so you can also ask for a worker who speaks your language or knows your community. Start by telling us about yourself on the find your support worker page.
How can community participation help you make friends?
Community participation helps you make friends by getting you to the same places, regularly, where people share your interests.
Friendships grow from seeing the same faces again and again. A worker can help you find a club, class or volunteer group, get there each week and feel comfortable joining in. As you get to know people, the worker can step back so connections form naturally.
Helpful steps often include:
- Choosing one or two activities you genuinely enjoy
- Going at the same time each week to build familiarity
- Practising starting conversations or swapping contact details
- Planning catch-ups with new friends outside the activity
There is no rush. Some people take months to feel at home in a new group, and that is fine. Confidence builds with each outing, and your worker can adjust the support as you grow more comfortable.