Community Participation: Plan, Book & Get Support

Start with your participation goals (what “community” means for you)

Before you book supports, get clear on your participation goals. “Community” can mean many things, like catching up with family and friends, attending a local class, going to faith or cultural events, volunteering, or accessing public transport to visit places that matter to you. Think about what a good week looks like and what activities you want to do more often, less often, or start for the first time.

Try writing your goals using everyday language and a simple “who/what/when” approach. For example: “I want support to attend my community centre on Tuesdays,” or “I want to practise using public transport to get to appointments.” Then consider the barriers you might face (time, travel, cost, social anxiety, communication needs, or accessibility). This helps you plan the right kind of support rather than just booking an activity.

When you understand your goals, you can match them to the supports and services in your plan. If you manage funds yourself, you’ll need to check costs and eligibility for each support. If you use plan management, consider using MyMoney NDIS (www.planmanager.net.au) to help you organise invoices and understand what’s claimable. And when you’re ready to choose a provider, compare options using My Care Finders to help you find someone who can support your specific participation style, not just offer availability.

Key takeaway: Clear goals first. When you can describe what “community” means to you, it becomes much easier to plan, book, and get the right support.

• Pick 1–3 “must-do” activities and 1 “nice-to-have” activity for the next month.
• Decide how you want support to look (planning, going with you, coaching, transport, or in-venue assistance).
• Be specific about timing, location, and accessibility needs so booking is easier.