Social connections play a vital role in our wellbeing, mental health, and quality of life. And social isolation can be a real challenge, but with the right support and care options, the NDIS offers individuals opportunities to improve and maintain meaningful relationships.
If you’re navigating the NDIS, here’s how you can use the available resources and NDIS disability support to foster social connections and build a stronger sense of community.
Can you leverage the NDIS to access social groups and activities outside of your home?
One of the key ways to improve social connections is through participation in community activities. And, you can use your NDIS funding to get out into the community.
Your NDIS plan can include funding for recreational, social, and community-based activities. The way you utilise this funding can be tailored to your individual needs and preferences, and they can help you connect with others in a fun and supportive environment. And, many NDIS disability support providers offer group activities that encourage interaction with peers, such as:
- Social clubs and meetups
- Art and music therapy
- Sports/fitness programs
- Support groups for people with disabilities
There are also activities that you – as a participant – can engage with in the community, outside of the NDIS, that can see you championing your interests and meeting others. Not all programs that you engage with need to be run by an NDIS provider. Things such as:
- Day programs and excursions
- Volunteering opportunities
- Community participation projects
Your NDIS funding can include transport to attend the above activities, meaning there are few barriers to prevent you from enjoying your favourite hobbies with others.
By exploring these NDIS services in Australia, you can gain access to various programs that are designed to encourage social engagement and help you build lasting relationships.
Working with NDIS providers for personalised social support
Choosing the right NDIS provider can make a big difference when it comes to improving your social life.
It’s vital that your support team, private or part of an organisation, offer tailored support services. Also known as person-centred care. Getting to know you, understanding your goals, and finding opportunities locally for you are key differences between a support team that puts you first, and one that doesn’t.
It’s about providing that extra support you need to engage with your community and maintain friendships.
When selecting an NDIS provider, it’s important to choose one that understands your social goals and has experience in creating personalised care plans that prioritise social inclusion.
At Kimberley Care Group, we help you identify the best opportunities to connect with others.
What are the benefits of peer support and social groups?
To actively participate in community activities, programs and social groups outside allows you to gain many life skills. It also has a positive impact on your mental health.
Let’s breakdown the benefits below:
- Improved social and connections: interacting with others can be nerve-wracking at first, but it has been proven time and time again that we – as humans – need others. We are not solitary beings. In fact, it’s been referred to as “a pillar of lifestyle medicine.” It can improve our mental and physical health whereas loneliness and isolation can increase depressive symptoms.
- Empowered health: as above, participating in group settings can impact our physical and emotional health. Physical activities such as dance classes, outdoor excursions or fitness groups can increase our mobility, motor skills, and help to maintain a healthy body mass index. Engaging in creative pursuits can also boost our cognitive skills while provide personal fulfillment – especially if you’re working with something you’re passionate about like painting or dancing.
- A sense of belonging: in a digital world, it’s easy to get lost within online interactions. And while these can be positive, especially if you find like-minded communities online across the world, it can mean that you’re stuck behind a screen. And as we know, getting outdoors is great for our mental health. So, finding a group of like-minded individuals in community activities, IRL (in real life, to you and me), can build on that sense of purpose and value within a more tangible existence. I.e. outside of your bedroom computer.
- Boosted independence and confidence: we touched on it above; meeting new people and being in a new social setting can be scary. It gives you that first-day-at-school feeling in your stomach. But, joining a few activity groups with like-minded people has been proven to boost your self-esteem. In fact, there have been many studies that show having multiple ‘memberships’ is better for your confidence and independence than having friends alone.
Consider disability-specific social programs
Of course, for some people with disabilities, there are some criteria that must be adhered to, for them to be immersed in social groups. For example, things like accessibility: is the access to this community group structured for someone in a wheelchair? Is the group led by someone that can also sign, or is it purely verbally led?
The good news is, there are disability support services designed specifically to help individuals with disabilities improve their social skills and integrate more effectively into their communities. Although this is more common in metro areas, rather than remote (where Kimberley Care Group is based). This is certainly something that the NDIS needs to focus on in their much-discussed reform.
Programs that range from training in communication skills to group therapy sessions that focus on social anxiety or relationship-building allow you to boost your social connections in a more inclusive environment.
Build social connections at home and beyond
While participating in community programs is a great way to improve social connections, you can also build relationships at home with the help of your NDIS care services.
Whether through in-home support workers or family care, building a network of people who understand your needs and support your goals can help combat isolation. Social connections are a multifaceted thing; how one person socialises with others might look different from how someone else socialises. The main priority is engaging with others that fulfil your social need while engaging in activities that make you feel empowered and interested.
Key takeaways
By using your NDIS funding to participate in these types of activities, you can reduce feelings of isolation and form connections with others who share similar interests and experiences.
Improving social connections is a vital aspect of maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life, and the NDIS offers many tools and resources to help you achieve this. By leveraging NDIS care services, working with the right disability care providers, and utilising your NDIS funding wisely, you can access programs and support that promote social engagement. Whether through community activities, peer support, or one-on-one assistance, there are many opportunities available to help you build and strengthen your social connections.
Social inclusion is within reach, and with the right care and guidance, you can thrive in your community.
At Kimberley Care Group, we offer individual and group supports such as our weekly women’s groups and a range of day activities that build bridges within the community, and bring people together.
Want to find out more? Contact us today using the details at the bottom of this page.
References:
https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/nature
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4446320
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150615162617.htm
https://kimberleycaregroup.com.au/more-changes-to-the-ndis-october-2024/