NDIS Group and Centre Activities

Something to Look Forward to Every Week

Joining a group, learning something new, making friends, and getting out regularly—these things matter for your wellbeing. Serene Life builds programs around them. Group and Centre Activities support gives you a regular, structured reason to connect with others and enjoy your week.

Social, Structured, and Built Around What You Enjoy

Group and Centre Activities (NDIS Support Category 0136) funds support for NDIS participants to join group-based programs and activities. It falls under Core Supports in your plan. A trained Serene Life support worker runs the session and supports everyone in the group. Activities are designed around what participants actually want to do, and programs change regularly to keep things fresh.

Your Funding Goes Further in a Group Setting

Because the cost of the support worker is shared across the group, group-based support often uses less of your Core Supports budget than one-on-one support. This means you can sometimes access more hours per week. Many Serene Life participants combine group programs with individual sessions to get the best of both.

Friendly, Experienced Faces Running Every Session

The Serene Life team selects support workers who are warm, skilled, and experienced at running group programs. They know how to make newcomers feel welcome, read the room, and ensure every person in the group is genuinely included. For participants who need clinical support, Registered Nurses (RNs) and Enrolled Nurses (ENs) from Serene Life are also available.

What Serene Life Group Programs Include

Serene Life runs programs across Sydney that change regularly based on participant interests. Here is a sample:

Arts and Creative Programs

Painting, drawing, pottery, photography, crafts, and other creative activities run in small groups. Creative programs are popular because they provide a way to express yourself, build skills, and connect with people who share similar interests.

Cooking and Nutrition Groups

Participants cook together in a supported kitchen. Sessions cover meal planning, food safety, and preparing healthy meals from scratch. You take home what you cook. These sessions are practical, social, and genuinely useful.

Fitness and Wellbeing Programs

Group fitness sessions adapted to suit a range of abilities, including yoga, seated exercise, walking groups, swimming, and more. Physical activity in a group has proven benefits for both body and mind, and the Serene Life team ensures every session is accessible and enjoyable.

Social and Games Groups

Board games, trivia, cards, and group activities in a relaxed setting. These sessions focus on connection and fun and are a great starting point for those new to group activities or feeling a little nervous in social situations.

Music and Performance

Drumming circles, singing groups, music appreciation sessions, and performance workshops. Music is one of the most natural ways to connect with others. No experience is needed to join a Serene Life music program.

Outdoor and Nature Activities

Bushwalks, beach outings, picnics, and outdoor exploration across Sydney. Getting outside as a group is excellent for mental health and provides a supported way to enjoy what the city has to offer.

Life Skills in a Group Setting

Some group programs focus on practical life skills like budgeting, cooking, using public transport, and communication. These overlap with Development-Life Skills (0117) goals but are delivered in a group format, which many participants find easier and more enjoyable.

Cultural and Community Events

Serene Life takes groups to local festivals, markets, sporting events, and cultural activities around Sydney. Experiencing the broader community with a supported group offers a safe and enjoyable way to explore everything the city has to offer.

Who Is This Support For?

People Who Want More Social Connection

Isolation is common among people with disability. Serene Life group activities give you a regular reason to get out, meet people, and build friendships over time. The group setting itself is part of the support.

People Who Feel More Comfortable With Structure

For some participants, open-ended one-on-one community participation can feel too unstructured. A set group program with a clear time, place, and activity can feel safer and easier to commit to each week.

People Who Want to Stretch Their Core Supports Budget

Group programs often cost less per hour because the support worker’s time is shared. This means your Core Supports funding goes further. Some participants combine group programs with individual sessions to find the right balance.

Families Who Need Regular, Reliable Respite

When you attend a group program, family carers get a regular break at a predictable time each week. Structured, consistent respite makes a real difference for families managing care at home.

Young Adults Building Social Skills and Friendships

Group activities are one of the best ways for young adults with disability to meet peers, develop social confidence, and build friendships in a safe, supported setting. Many lasting friendships start in Serene Life group programs.

People New to the NDIS Looking for a Starting Point

Group activities are often the first NDIS support people try. They are accessible, enjoyable, and low-pressure. If you’re unsure where to begin with your NDIS plan, a Serene Life group program is one of the best first steps.

How to Join a Serene Life Group Program

Step 1: Check Your Core Supports Budget
Open your NDIS plan and check your Core Supports budget. Group and Centre Activities (0136) draws from this budget. Your plan manager or support coordinator can confirm your available funding.

Step 2: Browse the Serene Life Program Schedule
Serene Life shares the current program schedule so you can see what is running near you in Sydney, including days, times, and program details. You choose what interests you.

Step 3: Book Your Spot
Group programs have limited spots. Once you choose a program, the team confirms your place and sets up a service agreement. Serene Life handles NDIS billing so you don’t have to worry about administration.

Step 4: Come Along and Get Involved
Your first session is always low-pressure. Take your time to settle in. Serene Life support workers are experienced at welcoming new participants and ensuring everyone feels included from day one.

Step 5: Tell Serene Life How It Is Going
The team checks in with participants regularly. If a program isn’t the right fit, they help you find one that is. Your experience matters, and Serene Life wants your group sessions to be something you genuinely look forward to each week.

Can You Do Both Group Programs and One-on-One Community Participation?

Yes. Many participants use both 0136 (Group and Centre Activities) and 0125 (Participate Community) at the same time. They are funded from Core Supports but are separate line items. Your plan manager or support coordinator can help you work out how to use both within your Core Supports budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 0136 and 0125?

Support Category 0136 is group-based support with a support worker running the session for the whole group. Support Category 0125 is one-on-one support where a worker goes with you to activities of your choice. Group support often costs less per hour because the worker’s time is shared. Both are funded through Core Supports.

How many participants are in each group?

Group sizes vary depending on the program and support needs. Most Serene Life groups have between four and eight participants. Groups are kept small so each person gets good support and attention. Some programs, like outdoor excursions, may have slightly larger groups with additional support workers.

What if I want to try a program before committing?

Serene Life encourages it. The team can arrange a trial session for most programs so you can see if it’s the right fit before signing a service agreement.

Can I bring my own support worker to a group program?

In most cases, the program includes a Serene Life support worker. If you have your own one-on-one support worker and want them to attend, that is funded separately from your Core Supports budget. Speak to your support coordinator to confirm.

Are your programs accessible for participants with physical disabilities?

Yes. Serene Life runs programs in accessible venues and adapts activities to suit different abilities. When you register, tell the team about your access needs, and they will make sure the venue and activities work for you.

How does billing work for group programs?

Serene Life bills your NDIS plan directly after each session at the NDIS group support rate set by the NDIS Price Guide. If plan-managed, Serene Life invoices your plan manager. If self-managed, an invoice is sent to you to process. Rates are discussed and agreed upon upfront before sessions begin.

I am a support coordinator. How do I refer a participant?

Serene Life works with support coordinators across Sydney to place participants in the right programs. Call or email the team, and someone will respond within one business day. They can provide the current program schedule and availability to match participants to the right sessions.

Talk to the Serene Life team today.

Let’s Create Something Amazing Together.