Supported Independent Living (SIL) allows our participants to be supported through any daily living skills that they’re building (such as cooking or building personal care routine).
There are many reasons why you might want to build capacity towards a skill, including:
- Greater independence and freedom.
- Confidence that you can manage on your own if you need to.
- Figuring out adaptable ways to do things within your capacity.
As for the life skills that can be built in SIL, there’s so many you could work towards. So if developing a new skill or increasing your capacity around a skill is one of your goals for 2025, keep reading to discover all the areas where SIL could support you.
What life skills can I build through SIL as an NDIS participant?
Cooking & meal preparation
Cooking is a major skill that many of our participants work on with their support workers.
Being able to prepare your own meals, at whatever time suits you, creates a significant and transformational impact on life. Even finding ways to make cooking simpler or more accessible can be a game-changer.
In SIL, not only do you have access to a support worker who can assist you to prepare meals independently, you also have the help of your housemates—enabling you to share responsibilities and create a supportive living environment together.
Cleaning & household tasks
Cleaning is another big one. There’s nothing better than a fresh and tidy feeling home, and SIL provides an environment where a shared roster of responsibilities can make it easy to achieve this.
Not only can you work to each other’s strengths, but it’s easy to maintain cleanliness when it’s not all on one person’s shoulders to manage. Plus, things like vacuuming and mopping, doing laundry, wiping down surfaces and organising personal belongings are all things your support worker can assist you in building routines around.
Personal care & hygiene
An important skill is your ability to take care of yourself and meet your own needs. No matter your capacity, SIL provides a ton of support in this area since a support worker will regularly be available through rostered shifts.
No matter your personal capacity or what you desire support achieving, you’ll be in a reliable and familiar environment to develop these skills.
Social & communication skills
Social skills are important for navigating daily life, accessing the community and forging meaningful relationships.
SIL offers an unparalleled opportunity and environment to practise these skills in so many ways; from basic interactions to ongoing healthy communication, as well as managing conflict and boundaries while living with others.
The ongoing, daily opportunity to build these skills (and confidence in this area) simply goes beyond standalone Community Participation support, and we highly encourage SIL if this is one of your big goals for 2025.
Building relationships and community access
Beyond household communication, SIL also offers fantastic opportunities to access the community as a group.
From building your own grocery list and heading out to the shops, to taking a stroll in a nearby park, to accessing public transport for a day out in the city, the accessible location of your SIL residence opens up a world of new options for your life.
Not to mention the activities and hobbies you may participate in at home with your housemates! SIL is a great way to build meaningful connections and establish new relationships.
Health & wellbeing
SIL is an ideal way to adopt and establish healthier habits. From cooking healthier meals, to managing any required medications, and even having more opportunities for exercise, SIL creates a supportive environment for putting your health and wellbeing first, both physically and mentally.
What is Supported Independent Living? (SIL)
Available for short term and long-term stays, SIL provides the right support alongside support workers and housemates to curate a healthy, active lifestyle and learn essential new skills.
- Nurture your ability to live self-sufficiently with adapted cooking skills.
- Practise your communication and interpersonal skills among housemates.
- Enjoy a convenient location close to public transport, shops and amenities.
Ready to explore SIL options? Check out our current SIL availability here.