If you’re exploring Supported Independent Living (SIL) as a next step in your journey to living more independently, one of the big benefits is the ability to integrate more Community Participation and opportunities for socialisation.
What is Supported Independent Living (SIL)?
SIL supports you to live independently in a shared living arrangement with 2 – 3 other housemates and a support worker (depending on the supports you have and the ratio of the living arrangement).
Life with housemates can be a lot of fun, and also offers a lot of learning experiences.
From working together to plan meals for the week, sharing responsibilities within the household, and attending activities as a group, SIL offers a whole new lifestyle and range of skills development opportunities for participants.
Keep reading to learn more about some of the ways Community Participation can be integrated into SIL.
Can I continued receiving Community Participation supports while in SIL?
If you already receive Community Participation support from Helping Solutions, and have budget for SIL in your NDIS Plan, then you can continue one-on-one supports each week to access the community even after moving into SIL.
This means, for example, you may access the community every Tuesday and Thursday to attend local art classes, go for walks in a nearby park, or grab lunch. But you’ll also have more opportunities to explore socialisation within the house itself, among your housemates and with your SIL support worker.
You may plan a regular movie night each week, or host a games night, or go see a movie together as a group.
You’ll also practise communication skills through cooking meals together, keeping the house tidy, and working together to ensure things like toiletries and cleaning products are stocked.
There are endless opportunities for social participation, and live in SIL can support you to build your communication skills and confidence.
Do my Community Participation supports come from SIL support workers?
If you don’t have Community Participation support in your NDIS plan, you can still receive Community Participation support through the SIL arrangement, but it will look slightly different.
Your SIL support worker typically assists multiple participants at once, so receiving Community Participation support may occur in a group activity as opposed to one-on-one.
This can look like:
- Going to the shops together
- Attending a community event as a group
- Joining a local sports centre as a group
Your support worker can also assist you to set up social activities at home, where you may invite friends and family over.
Ready to experience SIL?
If one of your big goals for 2025 is more autonomy and socialisation opportunities, SIL offers the opportunity to connect with like-minded housemates who share similar interests and lifestyle preferences.
Plus, you’ll receive support with any daily living skills you’re building (such as cooking or building personal care routine) giving you increased freedom over time.
We have a number of SIL properties available in Hastings and Somerville—if you’re interested and want to find out more, or enquire about your eligibility, get in touch with our friendly team today.