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Niall is a United for Care Practice Lead and passionate advocate for community engagement. His story sheds light on how United for Care empowers its Supported Independent Living participants to enjoy full and rewarding lives that extend far beyond the walls of their homes.
Niall is a firm believer in the positive impact of community engagement. He explains that for people with psychosocial and mental health difficulties, getting involved in the community is crucial for mental well-being and recovery.
You don’t have to be living with a disability to relate to this need. Niall says, “Most of us want to be part of something bigger and feel that shared sense of belonging.”.
For United for Care’s Supported Independent Living (SIL) participants, Niall says "Community engagement is a fundamental part of life in many ways. It gives people an opportunity to socialise, develop skills, and build meaningful relationships.”
Crucially, Niall believes staying involved in the community reduces the risk of isolation and disengagement, saying “if somebody is shy or dealing with social anxiety, community engagement enables them to build their self-esteem and make a positive contribution to the world around them".
A World of Vivid Experiences
Unlike some SIL providers, United for Care goes far beyond on-site activities. Niall shares a specific example – a trip to Vivid Sydney, a world-famous festival of light, music and art.
"We took a group to Vivid this year," Niall recalls, "and with all the sights and sounds, the whole event was a big spectacle. It was a fantastic experience and a real eye-opener for everybody."
As well as doing things in groups, Niall says it’s important to get participants involved in the activities they enjoy individually. He says “When we talk about Supported Independent Living, the word independent is crucial. It means the participant gets to choose what they want to do.”
Whether it’s indulging their creative side with arts and crafts, or getting their heart racing by playing sports, Niall says “It’s got to be their choice. In the end, it all adds up to a person who is healthier, happier, and getting the most out of day-to-day life.”.
Building Confidence Step-by-Step
Niall and his team of support workers understand that getting involved in the community can be daunting for some participants. To combat this, they create a supportive environment where people can gradually build social confidence.
"It could start with something small, like just going to the shops nearby," Niall explains. This allows participants to practice interacting and navigating social situations in a familiar setting.
When a participant shows interest in a larger community event, like Vivid, Niall and his team provide a safety net. "In some cases, we will go with them and make sure they know we're here to support them," says Niall.
Then, when a participant is ready to take the leap and get involved in an event by themselves, Niall and the team make sure they feel secure and comfortable again. "We let them know that if it gets a bit overwhelming, they can call us, and we’ll go and meet them so they can come home", Niall says.
This approach empowers participants to take calculated risks and gradually expand their horizons, knowing they have support to fall back on. It’s a step-by-step process that steadily builds confidence, ensuring a range of activities and experiences are all within reach.
Communication is Key
When asked about the key to keeping participants engaged with their community, Niall emphasises the importance of clear communication.
"We have to collaborate very closely with the participants," says Niall. "We're here to support them, their goals, their wishes, and also their needs." “Once they’ve explained what it is they’d like to achieve, the whole team has to communicate and share progress updates. This ensures we’re all on the same page and working with the participant to reach whatever goal is most important to them”, Niall says.
Ultimately, Niall says he and the team measure the success of an event on the feedback received from the participants. Niall says that “Listening to the participants is the best way to ensure we’re living up to their expectations.”
Once a participant has been involved in an activity, big or small, Nial and the team chat to them to find out about how it went. Niall says, “We’re always looking for ways to personalise and improve the next experience. We’re never truly satisfied until the participants are.”
Community Engagement: A Two-Way Street
Niall believes the benefits of community engagement extend beyond the individual participants. As participants engage in everyday activities alongside other members of the community, it destabilises stigmas, breaks down barriers, and creates a deeper understanding of what it means to live with a disability.
Niall becomes passionate talking about this subject, saying “There’s no doubt we’ve made a huge amount of progress with raising awareness, but there’s still work to be done.”
Niall recalls a specific story whereby he was in a local cafe with a participant who lives with schizophrenia. The participant struck up a conversation with the waitress and explained his mental health condition. Niall recalls, “The waitress asked questions and got honest answers. You could sense her awareness and empathy growing.”
Reflecting on what it meant to see the situation unfold, Niall says “That’s the real power of getting people involved in the community. It creates a two-way street. Community engagement isn’t just about ensuring people living with disabilities get to experience new things. It’s a way to educate and expand everybody’s understanding.”
Ready to Expand Your Horizons? United for Care Can Help
Are you searching for a Supported Independent Living environment that gives you more variety, choice and freedom? Or perhaps you're a Support Coordinator looking for an SIL provider that goes the extra mile? United for Care can help.
We believe in the transformative power of community engagement. Just like Niall's participants who ventured out to Vivid Sydney, we help people living with disabilities experience all that life has to offer.
From exploring local cafes to attending major events, we’ll help you build the confidence and social skills needed to connect with the wider world and live a life where no two days are the same.
Ready to start a NDIS journey brimming with possibilities? Contact United for Care today and let's chat about how we can help you expand your horizons:
