How to overcome barriers to community participation with Aspire Hub

Discover the benefits of making friends and socialising, how to overcome barriers to community participation and of course, what support does NDIS provide to help you achieve your goals in these areas.

Making friends, socialising, and getting out in your local community and having fun are easy ways to boost your mental health and overall mood. Connecting with your local community and building a network of friends can also improve cognitive function and train your brain to be more agile. Here at Aspire Hub, we know that sometimes it can be tricky to put yourself out there and meet new people. Our team of friendly and experienced staff know how to overcome barriers to community participation, so that you can get the most out of life and do the things you like with the people you love.  

In this blog, we break down the benefits of making friends and socialising, how to overcome barriers to community participation and of course, what support does NDIS provide to help you achieve your goals in these areas.

Why is it important to increase community participation?

We already know that getting out and about in your local community and making new friends is a lot of fun, but it also provides us with the important tools and skillsets we need in every other facet of their life. For example, if you’ve got the right funding to participate in increased social and community participation NDIS programs, you might get assistance with meeting new people or joining different social groups. Meeting new people and forming connections with your community requires you to work on your communication skills such as active listening, non-verbal and visual communication, and oral communication. The more you get out and speak to new people, the more these skills will naturally improve. Having a robust set of communication skills can then help you in other areas of your life, such as finding and keeping a job or communicating clearly with medical and allied health supports.

To learn more about why engaging in social and community activities is beneficial for your day-to-day life, read our blog on Aspire Hub’s social and community participation programs here.  

How to overcome barriers to community participation with Aspire Hub

Aspire Hub’s social and community participation programs are designed to help participants overcome the barriers people with disabilities face when trying to engage with their local community. For example, you might have always wanted to go on an overnight camping trip but have never been able to go because you are unable to drive yourself to your desired location, or set up your tent. At Aspire Hub, we match you with a team member that shares your interests and understands your needs so you can get the most out of your experience and learn how to overcome barriers to community participation. This is through Aspire Hub’s Bright Futures program, which can help you participate in a range of different activities such as neighbourhood events, sporting programs, and more – without the barriers a person with disabilities may normally face if they tried to participate in these programs without the support of a trusted NDIS provider.

When you choose Aspire Hub as your NDIS community participation provider, you may get access to:

• day trips and special excursions
• assistance with meeting new people, or joining in different social groups
• support to access places like your local library, cinema, or sporting grounds
• support in activities that build your skills or independence, which can be anything from cooking to learning to play an instrument.

You can learn more about Aspire Hub’s NDIS Social and Community Participation programs here. 

What support does NDIS provide?

The good news is that the NDIS does provide funding for people with disabilities to achieve their goals relating to social participation, involvement in recreational activities and community participation. Funding for social and community participation may fall under the Core and Capacity Building budget in your NDIS plan. So, if you have the category ‘Assistance with Social and Community Participation’ in your Core Supports, or ‘Increased Social and Community Participation’ in your Capacity Building budget, you may be eligible for Aspire Hub’s Bright Futures Programs. 

I’m scared to put myself out there and meet new people.

That’s okay! If you choose Aspire Hub’s Bright Futures program, rest assured that our team will do everything to make you feel comfortable. Our tailored programs make it easy for you too choose the activities and adventures that suit you and your goals – so you won’t be put in uncomfortable scenarios that don’t interest you or suit your overall objectives. It’s our job to make sure you’re relaxed, feel comfortable and most importantly, participating in your local community in a way that is fun for you.

Why should I choose Aspire Hub?

With more than 30 years’ combined experience in the industry and thousands of hours spent listening to our customers, Aspire Hub is passionate about giving participants the skills to know how to overcome barriers to community participation. So, if you’re looking for an NDIS provider who can bolster your social participation, contact us today!